HAUNTING pictures of Christopher Ayres show the Dragon Ball Z voice over actor hooked up to oxygen months before his death.

Ayres shared his struggle with emphysema, often posting revealing photos on social media.

One shows Ayres in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask as he explained his tracheostomy had been cancelled due to his poor health back in July.

"Well tracheostomy didn't happen today.

"My blood sodium was too low. I'm disappointed but doing well and so thankful for all of the support."

Another – on a GoFundMe page raising funds for his hospital bills – shows an extremely ill Ayres on his side as he breathes oxygen from his bed.

The GoFundMe page says the anime icon had been rushed to hospital to remove "mucus around one of my lungs" following a transplant.

Ayres – who played Frieza in the Anime series Dragon Ball Z – died at the age of 56.

The star's girlfriend Krystal LaPorte revealed that he passed away on October 18.

A cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Ayres, of Virginia, was diagnosed with cardiac obstructive pulmonary disease in 2017, Deadline reports.

Krystal paid tribute to the anime fans that had supported him throughout his career in a moving tribute.

She said: “My world went dark. Christopher Owen Ayres passed away peacefully, held close by his mother, brother, and girlfriend.

“Chris loved you all. How much he loved other people filled the vast majority of our conversations.

“To those of you who truly loved him back, thank you. To those of you who stayed in touch, checked on him, reminded him that he was so, so much more than his job. You were the fuel of his fight.”

Tributes have poured in as news of Ayres’ death emerged.

Fellow Dragon Ball star Christopher Sabat tweeted: “The anime industry lost a living angel today. It’s impossible to describe how pure Chris Ayres was, and his dedication to his craft was unmatched.

“Knowing Chris, he’s still at the gates of Other World, explaining something clever to the maître d’. RIP Frieza.”

'MAGNIFICENT ACTOR'

Japanese animation studio Toei Animation said: "May you rest in peace Chris Ayres, a magnificent voice actor who brought many wonderful characters to life including our Frieza.

"You will always be remembered. Thank you for everything."

And, graphic designer Scott Fearichs posted: "Chris Ayres was my first professional director. He was so good, kind, friendly, and immensely dedicated to his craft. He cared about his fans to a degree I've rarely seen in this industry.

"He always did his best to make the world a better place. I believe he did."

Ayres also voiced the characters Kei Kurono and Prince Soma from the manga series Gantz and Black Butler.

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