The family of voice actor Daniel Baugh, known for his role as Jimbei in the English dub of the anime series One Piece, has started a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign to seek financial assistance.
Baugh has dealt with the chronic spinal condition stenosis since birth, recently undergoing two surgeries in hopes of finally alleviating his symptoms.
However, the surgeries and resulting recovery period now prevent Baugh from working his regular jobs.
On top of that, the substantial hospital bills may force him and his wife Keri to dig into their retirement savings.
So far, Baugh’s GoFundMe has raised over $9,600 toward its $10,000 goal. His family hopes the crowdfunding effort will help support Baugh as he focuses on recovering while unable to earn an income.
Daniel Baugh’s Journey to Recovery and Return as Jimbei in One Piece
As Daniel Baugh recovers from surgery, he is presently unable to voice the character Jimbei in the One Piece anime dub. However, Baugh has directly reassured fans that he fully intends to return to the role once he has healed, stating: “I’m recovering! And I will be back as Jimbei.”
Baugh’s voice-acting peers have shown support during this difficult time, including Patrick Seitz, who voices the One Piece character Franky.
Seitz has also voiced major roles in other popular anime dubs such as Endeavor in My Hero Academia and Dio in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
The outpouring from both fans and fellow voice actors underscores Baugh’s important contributions to the anime community over the years.
And while the road to recovery may challenge him now, Baugh’s resolute commitment to once again bring Jimbei’s voice to life is keeping spirits high.
Fans across social media have overwhelmingly offered messages of support and encouragement as Baugh recovers from surgery. Many have told him to focus on healing even if that means taking things slowly, with comments like “Recover fast, but take it easy.”
Others express relief at Baugh’s statement that he will eventually return as Jimbei, writing things like “Wonderful news, you have a sweet soul. Happy for you sir, wish you a healthy and blessed recovery.”
Some fans simply hail Baugh’s contributions to the anime community by declaring him a “Legend” for his iconic voice-acting roles over the years.
Overall, One Piece fans and fellow voice actors alike are reacting with compassion, praise for Baugh’s talents, and hope for his full recovery in due time.
Their supportive words speak to the profound impact Baugh has had bringing beloved characters to life through his voice work.
More About One Piece
The adventure anime One Piece centers on Monkey D. Luffy, a young man who gains extraordinary rubber abilities after eating a cursed fruit.
Inspired by a legendary pirate, Luffy sets sail to gather an eclectic crew of misfits and search for a treasure known as “One Piece” to claim a royal pirate title.
With loyal crewmates like quick-witted thief Nami, expert marksman Usopp, charming cook Sanji, and others, Luffy fearlessly confronts rival pirates and perilous seas alike. Later additions expand the crew, including Tony Tony Chopper, a doctor who happens to be a talking reindeer; Nico Robin, an archaeologist with a mysterious past; Franky, a shipwright cyborg; Brook, a skeletal musician swordsman; and Jimbei, a massive fish-man warrior.
Together aboard ships like the early Going Merry and later the Thousand Sunny, Luffy and his band of Straw Hat Pirates have many adventures.
They forge unusual alliances, battle strange enemies from criminal syndicates to the morally dubious World Government’s forces, and pursue their individual dreams as well as legendary treasures.
Jinbe is a powerful whale shark fish-man master of underwater Fish-Man Karate techniques.
Originally serving under pirate captain Fisher Tiger, Jinbe shares his late captain’s dream of equality between humans and fishermen.
After Tiger’s death, Jinbe briefly led the Sun Pirates himself before becoming a government-sanctioned Warlord of the Sea.
However, he resigned his title during a pivotal war to support his new friend Monkey D. Luffy, a human pirate with unwavering morals.
Though Luffy asked Jinbe to join his ragtag Straw Hat Pirates back then, Jinbe held off until he could resolve unfinished business protecting his fish-man crew from revenge.
After ensuring his crewmates’ safety, Jinbe returned to Luffy’s side to be officially inducted into the crew two years later during their adventures in Wano Country.
Now sailing beside his new pirate family, the honorable whale shark helmsman fights to make his fallen captain Fisher Tiger’s dream a reality while aiding Luffy’s carefree quest to become the King of Pirates.