Ichirō Nagai was a highly esteemed Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator, whose career spanned over five decades and left an indelible mark on the anime industry. Born on May 10, 1931, in Ikeda, Osaka, he was a graduate of Kyoto University's Faculty of Literature. Initially aiming for a career in stage acting after university, he moved to Tokyo and joined the theatre group Gekidan Sankikai. His entry into voice acting came through dubbing foreign television dramas, a field where his ability to portray older characters became his specialty.

Nagai's career was distinguished by his prolific work and his dedication to improving the voice acting profession. He was a pioneer in the industry, lending his distinctive, authoritative voice to a vast array of characters, often in supporting roles such as mentors, grandfathers, bosses, and villains. Beyond his performance, he was also known for his efforts to secure better working conditions and fair compensation for voice actors, playing a key role in foundational movements to improve the industry's standards.

His filmography is extensive, encompassing numerous classic and long-running series. Among his most iconic roles were the patriarch Namihei Isono in the beloved and enduring family comedy Sazae-san, a part he played from 1969 until his passing. He was also the original narrator for the monumental Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) and voiced characters within its universe, such as Degwin Sodo Zabi. In the Space Battleship Yamato series, he was a constant presence as the eccentric ship's doctor, Dr. Sakezo Sado.

Nagai frequently collaborated with other prominent voice actors and was a regular presence in the works of major creators. He voiced the cowardly yet powerful yōkai Konaki Jijii across multiple iterations of GeGeGe no Kitarō, starting in 1968. He brought to life the eccentric, wise-cracking monk Cherry (Sakuranbō) in Urusei Yatsura and the lecherous but skilled martial arts grandmaster Happosai in Ranma ½. In the Dragon Ball franchise, he was the voice of the wise and quirky Korin, as well as the villainous Tsuru-Sen'nin. He also portrayed the ancient and powerful Chairman Netero in the 2011 adaptation of Hunter × Hunter.

His work extended beyond television anime to feature films, original video animations, and video games. Notable film roles included Mito in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and General Muoro in Castle in the Sky. He was also the iconic voice of D's Left Hand in the Vampire Hunter D series. His talent was widely recognized, and in 2009, he was awarded the Merit Award at the 3rd Seiyu Awards, honoring his lifetime of contributions to the field.

Ichirō Nagai passed away on January 27, 2014, from ischemic heart failure while on a work assignment in Hiroshima. He was 82 years old. His final roles included a guest appearance in the anime Space Dandy and voice work for the video game Tales of Zestiria, which was released posthumously. His passing marked the end of an era, but his vast body of work continues to be celebrated by fans and colleagues, solidifying his legacy as one of the foundational pillars of Japanese voice acting.