Dragon Ball Fans Just Received The Saddest News Of 2025

The English voice actor Mike McFarland, best known for voicing Goku’s martial arts teacher, Master Roshi in Dragon Ball, has been diagnosed with a rare and fatal form of brain cancer. A GoFundMe campaign, co-organized by Brandon McInnis, Michael J. Tatum, and Brina Wingo on McFarland’s behalf, shared an official update on August 19, 2025. In the update, McInnis, an American voice actor known for Black Clover, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love and support the Dragon Ball alum McFarland has received, while also outlining his difficult treatment journey ahead.

GoFundMe Campaign Details McFarland’s Diagnosis and Celebrates His Anime Legacy

The campaign previously shared that McFarland had undergone emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor, which was successful, and that he was on the path to recovery. At the time, funds were primarily being raised to cover the cost of a live-in medical caregiver to support him throughout his recovery.

Tatum and McInnis emphasized McFarland’s decade-long contributions to the anime industry, noting not only his iconic role as Master Roshi but also his work voicing characters such as Buggy, Jean Kirstein, and others. They also highlighted his achievements as a voice director on major titles, including the Full Metal Alchemist franchise, Tokyo Ghoul, and Attack on Titan.

McFarland’s Health Journey Takes A Disappointing Turn

On August 19, 2025, Brandon McInnis revealed that McFarland’s tumor is glioblastoma. He noted that the illness is advancing more quickly than doctors had hoped, leading to McFarland’s hospitalization and subsequent move to a skilled nursing facility to continue his treatment.

According to Mayo Clinic, glioblastoma is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord. It develops rapidly, often invading and destroying healthy tissue. While glioblastoma can occur at any age, it is more common in older adults. Symptoms may include persistent and worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking, altered sense of touch, and seizures.

“To everyone who has donated, we are so incredibly grateful and overwhelmed by the amount of love and support you’ve given to Mike. Unfortunately, Mike’s tumor was a glioblastoma, and it is progressing faster than previously hoped. After an attempt with assisted living, Mike was once again hospitalized and will now be moving to a skilled nursing facility to continue his treatment,” McInnis wrote.

Expressing the severity of McFarland’s condition, whom colleagues affectionately call Mike, McInnis continued, “While insurance does cover a certain number of days for care, everything beyond that will be a private pay scenario. If you’ve ever looked into the cost of such facilities, you know the national average is the price of a decent used car… every month.”

While expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support so far, the campaign urged people to continue donating and to help spread the word. To date, $219,948 USD has been raised, representing 92% of the $240,000 goal.

McFarland, A Legend Loved By All

McFarland is best known for his work on the Dragon Ball franchise, but his voice acting credits extend far beyond that. He is also recognized for portraying Tecchin Tecchikawahara in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Mashirao Ojiro in My Hero Academia, Buggy the Clown in One Piece, Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist, Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan, among many others.

Messages of support on McFarland’s GoFundMe page feature heartfelt testimonials from fans, many of whom thanked him for bringing joy to their childhood. They wished him a swift and full recovery while expressing deep appreciation for his immense contributions to the anime dub community. Fans recall his performance in One Piece, Attack on Titan, and, of course, Dragon Ball.

“Sir, I don’t know what you’re feeling but I wish I could have an ounce of that weight just to take it off your shoulders. Thank you is just not enough to express the gratitude for filling my childhood with joy,” a fan wrote. Another added, “Have loved your work for a long time. Wishing you a speedy recovery and all the best for you and your family xx.” A third message read, “We’re here for you Mike, now and forever!”

Source: GoFundMe.com