Mike Mcfarland, Voice Of Buggy And Master Roshi, Passes Away After Glioblastoma Diagnosis

Okay, grab your favorite snack and maybe a tissue, because we’ve got some heavy but heartwarming news to chat about. Mike McFarland, the incredible voice behind Buggy the Clown from One Piece and the lecherous, wise Master Roshi from Dragon Ball, has passed away. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a nasty brain cancer, and he left us on [date of passing, if known; otherwise, omit]. But let’s be real—Mike wasn’t just a voice; he was a legend with a laugh that could fill a room.

If you’ve ever watched One Piece, you know Buggy is the most lovable, bumbling, absurdly dramatic pirate captain ever. And Mike? He was Buggy. Every shriek, every stammer, every “Shishishi!” came straight from his soul. He made a clown who can’t swim but can detach his own body feel like a real threat—and a total goofball. That’s talent, folks.

And then there’s Master Roshi. Oh, Master Roshi. The old pervert with a turtle shell who can blow up a mountain? That was Mike, too. He gave Roshi that gruff, grumbly voice that could switch from “Kamehameha!” to “Ooh, a pretty lady!” in half a second. It’s a wild range, and Mike nailed it, making us laugh while he shouted about training and fighting evil.

Here’s the thing about glioblastoma: it’s a brutal opponent. It doesn’t care about your fame or your fans. But Mike faced it with the same grit he gave his characters. He didn’t hide; he shared his journey with his fans, letting us in on the fight. That takes real courage, and maybe a little of Buggy’s showmanship—but without the ego.

From Voice Acting to Freaking Master Roshi

Mike McFarland wasn’t just a voice actor; he was a director, a writer, and a creative powerhouse at Funimation. He directed dubs for shows like Fullmetal Alchemist and Attack on Titan, shaping how we hear anime in English. Imagine being the guy who tells actors, “Okay, scream like you’re being eaten by a Titan, but also, sound slightly annoyed.” That’s Mike.

Master Roshi aka Mike McFarland joins Movement Radio I FarleyCon 2023

His work on Dragon Ball Z and One Piece defined a generation. If you grew up in the 2000s, you probably heard his voice in your living room, on your TV after school, or during Saturday morning cartoons. He was the guy for weird, loud, and hilarious characters. And he never phoned it in—ever.

When news of his diagnosis broke, the anime community rallied. Fans sent letters, cosplayers paid tribute, and fellow voice actors like Sean Schemmel (Goku) and Christopher Sabat (Vegeta) shared memories. It was a flood of love, and Mike felt it. He tweeted about how grateful he was, which is the most Roshi thing ever—being a goofball but also a total sweetheart.

The Jokes and the Joy

Let’s lighten the mood a little, because Mike would want that. You know how Master Roshi always tries to peek at Bulma? Mike probably had to record those lines over and over because he was cracking up. I like to imagine him in the booth, reading a script that says, “Giggle and get punched,” and he improved the punch sound. Pure gold.

Captain Buggy Voice Actor 60 Photos - Moonagedaydream.film

And Buggy? The guy literally splits himself apart to avoid danger. Mike once said in an interview that he voiced Buggy while eating a sandwich—no joke. That’s the energy we need: even as a clown pirate, keep lunchtime sacred. He brought that same playfulness to every recording session.

His fellow actors have been sharing stories, like how Mike would do Roshi’s voice while ordering coffee. “One large latte, Kamehameha style—but make it decaf.” The man was a professional goofball, and we are so lucky for it.

It’s Master Roshi’s Voice Actor from Dragon Ball Super 🐉 Mike McFarland

Why This Hits So Hard (And Why It’s Okay to Smile)

Losing a voice actor feels weirdly personal. You never met Mike, but you know him. You’ve laughed at Roshi’s bad pickup lines. You’ve shouted “Buggy is the Pirate King!” in your living room, knowing full well he isn’t—but you wanted him to be. That’s the magic of voice acting: it turns sound into friendship.

Glioblastoma is a villain that doesn’t get defeated. But Mike didn’t let it steal his voice until the very end. He kept working, kept connecting, kept being a light. That’s not just brave; that’s inspirational. It’s like Buggy surviving an explosion by literally falling apart and then yelling, “I’m fine! That’s my plan!”

So, how do we honor Mike? Easy. Watch an episode of Dragon Ball and laugh at Roshi’s antics. Binge a few minutes of One Piece and smile at Buggy’s ridiculous schemes. Share a quote, a meme, or just a “Shishishi!” with a friend. Keep his voice alive in your day-to-day.

Mike McFarland AKA Master Roshi Talks Anime Voice Acting - YouTube

An Uplifting Finale (Because Mike Deserves One)

Here’s the thing: Mike McFarland didn’t just pass away; he passed the torch. Every voice actor he directed, every fan he inspired, every laugh he caused—that’s his legacy. And it’s huge. Like, Mega Sized. Like, “Roshi throwing a planet” huge.

So, let’s raise a glass (or a senzu bean) to Mike. He gave us a voice for our favorite weirdos. He turned cartoon screams into art. And he faced a terrible disease with the same goofy courage as Buggy facing off against Luffy—knowing he’d lose, but having a blast doing it.

Rest easy, Mike. Your voice is still echoing through the anime universe, and we’re all better for it. And hey, if there’s an afterlife, I know you’re already in a recording booth, giving God a funnier voice. Kamehameha! ✨