Danica Davidson
August 19, 2025 
Earlier this year voice actors J. Michael Tatum and Brandon McInnis started a GoFundMe page for veteran voice actor and director Mike McFarland after he had emergency brain surgery. Yesterday McInnis shared an update on how McFarland is doing, and unfortunately it’s not great news.
McInnis starts out thanking everyone who has helped so far, then reveals that McFarland has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, and “it is progressing faster than previously hoped.”
Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer with a low survival rate. It’s also true that everyone’s body is different and responds differently.
“We know the term glioblastoma might come as a shock to some,” McInnis wrote. “Mike only told a few at first the severity of his condition. With some encouragement from his family, he has bravely decided to go public with his diagnosis.”
McFarland will be going to a nursing facility. McInnis further explained, “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.”
He asks people to donate if they can, or to spread the word if they can’t afford to help monetarily. You can go to the GoFundMe page here. As of this writing, it’s made $190,634 out of a goal of $200,000.
McFarland has an impressive list of anime credentials, being one of the most prolific people in the business. He’s worked as a voice actor, director, assistant director, line producer, and adaptive script writer. He has directed the Attack on Titan franchise (and voiced Jean Kerstein), Dragon Ball Z (and voiced Master Roshi, Yajirobe and Android 8), Fullmetal Alchemist (and voiced Jean Havoc), One Piece (and voiced Buggy the Clown and Helmeppo), Tokyo Ghoul (and voiced Kotaro Amon), among many other examples.
McInnis concluded, “Thank you all for your kindness. You have no idea how much it means to Mike and his family and friends.”
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
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