This year has seen a series of tragic losses of voice actors who have brightened the anime scenes of the Showa and Heisei eras.

Starting with TARAKO, the voice of Maruko in "Chibi Maruko-chan" in March, notable losses include Nao Terada, who played Colonel Muska in "Castle in the Sky"; Eiko Masuyama, the voice of Fujiko Mine in "Lupin the Third"; Noriko Ohara, who voiced Nobita Nobi in "Doraemon"; and Keiko Yamamoto, known for her roles as Hanazawa in "Sazae-san" and Shota Yamada in "Chibi Maruko-chan."

While series like "Chibi Maruko-chan," "Doraemon," and "Lupin the Third" continue with new generations of voice actors, the passing of those who shaped a significant era of anime has brought grief to many who grew up with their voices.

Subaru Kimura, who currently voices Gian in "Doraemon," commented on the passing of Noriko Ohara during an event following the announcement. He said, "I don't usually discuss such news elsewhere, so it's difficult to talk about... But we, the current regular members, have discussed continuing to protect the legacy we've inherited. While our predecessors are ascending to heaven, what we can do is to keep safeguarding the work."

Voice Actors and Actors Who Passed Away in 2024 (in order of announcement, dates reflect the day they passed):

TARAKO (March 4)
Notable Roles: Maruko in "Chibi Maruko-chan," Taruruuto-kun in "Magical Taluluto," Chibi King in "Mushiking: The King of Beetles"

Nao Terada, 81 (March 14 / Lung Cancer)
Notable Roles: Colonel Muska in "Castle in the Sky"

Yasuo Muramatsu, 91 (April 11)
Notable Roles: Tandem in "Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ," Hans in "A Dog of Flanders," Charmen Oji-san in Myojo Ramen "Charumera"

Hideyuki Umezu, 68 (May 17 / Interstitial Pneumonia)
Notable Roles: Arthur Weasley in "Harry Potter," Ian Vashti in "Mobile Suit Gundam 00"

Eiko Masuyama, 89 (May 20 / Pneumonia)
Notable Roles: Fujiko Mine in "Lupin the Third," Mama in "Genius Bakabon," Honey Kisaragi in "Cutie Honey"

Taiki Matsuno, 56 (June 26 / Right Cerebral Hemorrhage)
Notable Roles: Hajime Kindaichi in "The Kindaichi Case Files," Jun Manjoume in "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX," Koga in "Inuyasha," SpongeBob in "SpongeBob SquarePants"

Katsue Miwa, 80 (June 19 / Acute Pulmonary Embolism)
Notable Roles: Perman 1 / Mitsuo / Copy in "Perman," Woody Woodpecker in "Woody Woodpecker," Hiroshi in "New Kitaro," Asari Hamano in "Asari-chan"

Noriko Ohara, 88 (July 12)
Notable Roles: Nobita Nobi in "Doraemon," Doronjo in "Yatterman," Peter in "Heidi, Girl of the Alps," Conan in "Future Boy Conan," Hiroshi's mother in "The Gutsy Frog"

Keiko Yamamoto, 83 (April 18 / Sepsis)
Notable Roles: Hanazawa in "Sazae-san," Shota Yamada in "Chibi Maruko-chan," Bakabon in "Genius Bakabon," Sunakake Baba in "GeGeGe no Kitaro," Chikako in "Himitsu no Akko-chan," Choromatsu and Karamatsu in "Osomatsu-kun"

Source : ORICON NEWS