Edward Asner was an acclaimed American actor and voice actor whose career in animation, while extensive, featured a singular and noteworthy connection to the world of anime. Born in 1929, Asner's acting career began in theater before he became a renowned figure on television, most famously for his role as Lou Grant. He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and remains the most awarded male actor in Emmy history, with seven wins from 17 nominations for his live-action work. His distinctive, gravelly voice transitioned into voice acting, where he became a prominent presence in Western animation from the 1990s onwards.

In the realm of anime, Asner's contribution is specific and limited to a single title. He provided the voice for the character Grandpa Ayanokoji in the 1995 original video animation series 3x3 Eyes Seima Densetsu. This three-episode OVA is a sequel to the earlier 3x3 Eyes adaptation, continuing the story of the immortal Sanjiyan Pai and her human companion Yakumo. This role stands as his sole credited work within the Japanese animation industry.

Asner's primary legacy in voice acting was built through a vast array of characters in American animated series and films. He was known for his ability to portray gruff, authoritative, yet often deeply warm characters. Some of his most prominent and recurring voice roles included the grizzled mentor Hudson in Gargoyles, the bombastic newspaper editor J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, the villainous Granny Goodness in various DC animated projects, and the hilariously deadpan Sergeant Mike Cosgrove in Freakazoid!. His film work was highlighted by his acclaimed performance as Carl Fredricksen in the Pixar film Up, a role that introduced his voice to a new generation and became one of his most beloved. Given the singular nature of his anime role, there are no notable recurring collaborations with anime directors, studios, or voice actors to document. Edward Asner passed away in 2021, leaving behind a monumental body of work that includes a unique, if brief, chapter in the history of anime.