During the mid-2000s, Atsuko Enomoto had become a popular name among anime fans. With dozens of fan favorite roles under her belt, as well as numerous theme songs, Enomoto seemed to be a rising star.
Sadly, her career also appears to have been plagued by sexual harassment and bullying. Yesterday, Enomoto took to Twitter to share her “#MeToo” story.
We’ve provided the tweets, plus rough translations below.
me too運動広がってるね。私も色々思い出しちゃう。デビューして数年経った頃猛烈に仕事が辞めたい時があってメンタルぐちゃぐちゃで辛かったんだけど今考えるとセクハラとパワハラのせいだなーと思い出す。誰も助けてくれなかったし、そもそも相談もできなかったというか当たり前だった。
— 榎本温子 (@atsuko_bewe) April 7, 2018
Rough Translation: #MeToo My story is a bit spread out. I also remember a lot. A few years after my début, I had a hard time, and had an intense desire to quit my job, and my mind was in utter chaos. But now, I think it is due to the sexual harassment and bullying I endured. Nobody helped me, and it was natural that there was nobody to consult with in the first place.
今はキャリアも積んで尊重してもらえるけど、若い頃は本当に苦労した。アイドル声優はお姫様なんかじゃなくてすごく宙ぶらりんだったな。笑顔でいなくちゃならないのがまたしんどくなったり。。
— 榎本温子 (@atsuko_bewe) April 7, 2018
Rough Translation: Today, I have my career and I’m respected, but I really struggled when I was younger. The idol voice actor wasn’t a princess, it was very straining. It became painful to have to keep smiling.
それでも若い頃にデビューしたからか今でもすごい態度される時もある。でもいいんだ、そういう人とは仕事しない事にしている。私にだけしてる訳がない。居なくなると思ってる。みんな見てるから。
— 榎本温子 (@atsuko_bewe) April 7, 2018
Rough Translation: Even so, I made my debut when I was young, and I still have a great outlook. But it’s okay, I’m not working with such a person. I think he’s gone. Everyone is watching now.
でも１つ誤解がないように言いたいのは、声優業界は芸能界でもかーーーーなーーーーーりーーーーーークリーンです。本当に。みんな慎ましやかにお仕事してる素敵な業界。ただ他の会社と変わらないくらいはハラスメントはあると思う。
— 榎本温子 (@atsuko_bewe) April 7, 2018
Rough Translation: But I’d like to tell you that there is no misunderstanding. The voice acting industry is pretty clean, as far as the entertainment world goes. Really, it’s a wonderful industry where everyone working is humble. Still, I believe there is still as much harassment as you’d find in other industries.
声優目指す子が増えた今だからこそ、ちゃんと言いたい。アニメはキラキラして夢みたいだけど、それを作ってるのは人間で、どこにでもトラブルはあって、お姫様では居られないんだって。
どうか若い子達が守られる業界でありますように。大人は気を引き締めますように。作品は愛情込めますように。
— 榎本温子 (@atsuko_bewe) April 7, 2018
Rough Translation: I want to say this right now, because the number of children who aspire to be voice actors has increased. Anime is like a sparkling dream, but it’s human beings who make it, and there are problems everywhere, and it’s not possible to remain a princess.
May I continue to work in an industry where we protect the youngest children. May the adults show more concern. I wish for everyone to enjoy their work.
ま、声優業界といってもかなり広がったから私の知ってる範囲の声優業界は、という事です。日々変わっていくものだからね。世代によって感じてることは様々だと思う
— 榎本温子 (@atsuko_bewe) April 7, 2018
Rough Translation: Well, the voice acting industry has expanded considerably, so I know that the talent industries have entered that field. It’s something that changes daily. I feel that there there will be a lot that’s felt by future generations.
私が気をつけてるのはね！！！飲んでる時に終電なくなって飲んでて、私はオールできないからタクシーで帰るけども！！！その時に女の子が1人だったら絶対残していかない事にしてる。私は若い女の子を守る義務がある。
なぜなら私も先輩女性声優さんに沢山守ってもらってきたから。
— 榎本温子 (@atsuko_bewe) April 7, 2018
Rough Translation: I’m a careful person!! When I was out drinking, I couldn’t get the last train, so I’d go by taxi! During those times, I’m not going to leave if there’s even one girl there. I have an obligation to protect her.
Because I also had a lot of protection from a senior female voice actor.
Atsuko Enomoto has been active in the anime industry since 2001.She’s voiced more in than 90 anime projects, including:
- Miki Makimura (Amon – Apocalypse of Devilman)
- Emi Sendo (Cardfight!! Vanguard)
- Mai Mishou / Cure Egret (Futari wa Precure Splash Star)
- Triela (Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino)
- Emeraldas (Maetel Legend)
- Megumi Akiba (Nurse Witch Komugi)
- Erika Koenji (Skip Beat!)
- Kurumi (Steel Angel Kurumi)
- Yukino Miyazawa (His and Her Circumstances)
In 2016, Enomoto married fellow voice actor Mark Ishii.
Source: Yaraon!
