Actor and voice actor Hiroshi Tsuchida passed away on October 11 due to heart failure at the age of 54. His agency, 81 Produce, announced the news on October 20.

Tsuchida was best known for portraying Saizou/Ninja Blue in the 1994 Super Sentai series Ninja Sentai Kakuranger. He also built a successful career as a voice actor, appearing in numerous anime series, including Umamusume Pretty Derby.

Moreover, he was widely recognized for providing the Japanese voice of Lightning McQueen in the Disney/Pixar Cars franchise.

In recent years, Tsuchida voiced HANE2 (Hanejiro) in Ultraman Decker and reprised his role as Saizou /Ninja Blue in Ninja Sentai Kakuranger Part 3: Middle-Aged Struggles.

According to 81 Produce, a private funeral was held with only family members, in accordance with his family's wishes. The agency also expressed its gratitude to everyone who supported Tsuchida throughout his life and career.