Atsuko Tanaka, Naruto and Jujutsu Kaisen Star, Dies at 61

As a seasoned gamer and anime enthusiast with decades of immersion under my belt, I must say the loss of Atsuko Tanaka leaves a profound void that will be hard to fill. Her contributions to the world of anime are nothing short of legendary, and her iconic roles have been the soundtrack of countless epic battles, heart-wrenching moments, and unforgettable adventures.


Today, I find myself deeply saddened as we bid farewell to a remarkable artist who brought so much joy into our lives through her captivating voice work. Atsuko Tanaka, a cherished Japanese voice actress, has left us too soon. Her family shared the heartbreaking news in a letter to her devoted fans, revealing that she succumbed to an undisclosed illness at the age of 61. As a fan, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss for this incredible talent and the unforgettable characters she brought to life.

If you’re not familiar with Atsuko by name, she’s an actress who’s lent her voice to several popular anime series that you might recognize. Atsuko started working in entertainment back in 1985 and has since become a preferred voice actor for many projects. She is most renowned for her role as Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell, having voiced this cyberpunk heroine on multiple occasions.

Apart from “Ghost in the Shell,” Atsuko has garnered recognition for numerous other roles. She lends her voice to many significant characters in anime, and here’s a list of her most prominent roles for further reading:

  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – Lisa Lisa
  • Naruto – Konan
  • Jujutsu Kaisen – Hanami
  • Bayonetta – Bayonetta
  • Black Butler – Francis Midford
  • Fate/Stay Night – Caster
  • Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Flamme

Currently, there’s been no announcement about whether Atsuko’s characters will be revoiced in future projects. The voice actress who played her was last featured in “Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master”. In 2025, it was planned for Atsuko to make an appearance in “#Compass 2.0”. It’s unclear if Atsuko has already recorded lines for the upcoming series, but if she did, the show would feature her final performance posthumously.

We sent out best wishes to Atsuko’s loved ones during this difficult time.

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2024-08-20 17:41