Popular voice actress Atsuko Tanaka has died at 61 from an undisclosed disease, as reported by her son Hikaru Tanaka.
One of the most prolific voice actors in the industry, Tanaka is most well known for her role in the iconic cyberpunk anime franchiseGhost in the Shell. It started with the beloved 1995anime moviewhere she voiced the protagonist Motoko Kusanagi.
Tanaka started her voice acting career in the 1990s. She lent her voice to several acclaimed projects, includingBerserk, Trigun, Cowboy Bebop, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Great Teacher Onizuka.
More recently, she voiced Konan fromNarutoShippuden, Hanami fromJujutsu Kaisen, Flamme from Frieran, Lisa Lisa from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Caster from the Fate franchise, and Ryoko Tamiya from Parasyte: The Maxim.
いつもお世話になっている皆様へpic.twitter.com/rfzWhMbsIl
Tanaka’s death has deeply affected her fans and the anime community. Many people are mourning her, thanking her for her contribution to so many beloved projects.
“Thank you for everything. Now rest above and beyond, and be one of the eyes over heaven watching us,”commentedone user on X.
“Rest in peace Atsuko Tanaka, thank you for giving life to so many characters, you will never leave our hearts,”wroteanother before quoting Frieran. “‘Plant flowers around my grave.’”
Related:
“Tanaka Atsuko’s performance as Konan was truly excellent. May she rest in peace,”shareda third, while a fourthadded: “She was my first exposure to anime. RIP Atsuko Tanaka.”
Aside from her anime projects, Tanaka also voiced several video game characters, including Hood from Azur Lane, Harumi Kiyama from A Certain Magical Index: Imaginary Fest, and Lara Croft from Tomb Raider 2 and 3.
Tanaka’s death is deeply upsetting for the anime community. But it gives us an excuse to revisit some of her best works. Check out everything we know aboutJujutsu Kaisen Season 3and our guides toNaruto episodesandNaruto filler.
Anamika Das was an Anime Writer on Dexerto’s UK team. She previously wrote for platforms like Otakus' Notes and Seinen Manga. Anamika is an avid fan of anime, the shounen genre in particular. She loves My Hero Academia, Haikyuu!!, Jujutsu Kaisen, Boruto, and is obsessed with One Piece.
