News Reporting

Voice Actress Yuko Mizutani Passes Away At Age 51


Yuko Mizutani 001 - 20160519It’s always sad to say goodbye to a legend.

Japanese media agency Aoni Production announced that voice actress Yuko Mizutani succumbed to breast cancer on Tuesday. She was 51.

Mizutani began her voice acting career in 1985, when she made her début in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam as Sarah Zabiarov and Cheimin Noa. Through her career, Mizutani played numerous iconic roles, including Mihoshi in Tenchi Muyo!!, Chocolate Misu in Sorcerer Hunters, Pinoko in Black Jack, and Excel Saga‘s Great Will of the Macrocosm.

In addition, Mizutani played the role of Sakiko Sakura on Chibi Maruko-chan. The show’s official website updated with condolences from the staff. The message reads:

Chibi Maruko-chan voice actor Yuko Mizutani (Sakiko Sakura) passed away on May 17, 2016. She was 51 years old.

She played the role of the elder sister since the first broadcast in 1990, and she certainly brought excitement and fun to Chibi Maruko-chan.

We mourn her loss and sincerely wish the best for her soul.

Through the day, several prominent industry figures, including Evangelion character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and Saber Marionette J character designer Tsukasa Kotobuki, have taken to Twitter to express their condolences. Several of their well-wishes can be found below.

Yoshiyuki Sadamoto

Tsukasa Kotobuki

Yasuhiro Makino

Rui Araizumi

Source: Anime! Anime!

About the author

Samantha Ferreira

Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.

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