Reiko Katsura

Reiko Katsura
桂 玲子
Born
Reiko Kaneuchi (金内 玲子)[1]

(1937-02-08)February 8, 1937[2]
Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan[3]
DiedFebruary 22, 2026(2026-02-22) (aged 89)
Other nameReiko Shiratori (白鳥麗子)[4]
OccupationVoice actress
Years active1958–2025
AgentHaikyō[5]
Spouse
Kikuo Kaneuchi (金内 喜久夫)
​
​
(died 2020)​

Reiko Kaneuchi[1] (金内 玲子, Kaneuchi Reiko; February 8, 1937[2][6][7] – February 22, 2026[2]), professionally known as Reiko Katsura (桂 玲子, Katsura Reiko), was a Japanese voice actress.[3] She was affiliated with Haikyō[5] and was married to Japanese actor Kikuo Kaneuchi[8] (金内 喜久夫, Kaneuchi Kikuo; January 29, 1933[9] – April 28, 2020[8]).

Biography

Katsura was born in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture on February 8, 1937.[2][6]

Ever since she was a young girl, she loved to perform in front of others. During her junior high school years, she was particularly passionate about Shin-buyo (neo-classical Japanese dance), and during the Hakata Dontaku festival, she would get her own props and costumes to dance on streets from corner to corner with her father.[4]

During her time at Kyushu Girls' High School, now known as Fukuoka University Wakaba High School,[1] Katsura performed in a wide variety of productions as a member of the drama club.[6]

In 1958, after she graduated from high school, she joined the local Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Drama Troupe.[5] Katsura briefly served as a hostess of a radio show with her husband under the stage name "Reiko Shiratori".[4]

In 1963, she moved to Tokyo when her husband Kikuo traveled to join Bungakuza at Hiroshi Akutagawa's invitation.[4] During the audition, he asked her, "Why don't you try taking the test too?"[4] She passed the audition and entered as a third-generation trainee, staying with the company for a year.[4]

After joining Bungakuza, Katsura started her voice acting career. By turning down jobs requiring traveling far from home like location shoots for live-action productions, voice acting became her main profession.[4]

In 1964, she started being affiliated with Haikyō.[5][10]

Death

Katsura died of respiratory failure caused by aspiration pneumonia on February 22, 2026, at the age of 89.[6][11] Her death was announced by her agency Haikyō a month later on March 4 of that year.[6][11][12][13]

Personality

Katsura's vocal range was mezzo-soprano.[5]

While she primarily voiced young child and baby character roles as a voice actress, she also frequently voiced older characters on stage, showing her versatility.[4]

Her personal specialty was nihon-buyō and she was a certified practitioner of the Fujima school.[5]

Episode

In Sazae-san, Katsura voiced the characters of Ikura Namino, Rika Nozawa, and Kaori Ōzora from the 1970s until she stepped down from the roles in 2025.[14][15][16] She initially joined the series a semi-regular cast member, but their specific signature parts naturally emerged from that experience, with acting rarely being a struggle for her, with her saying, "I've been doing this since I was young and fearless, and I just have a great time performing."[4]

Ikura's voice was originally a sound effect, but once the character started saying "hāi", Katsura was cast in the role. Although the production team later considered having him speak normally, they ultimately decided to stick with Ikura expressing himself using only three variations: "hāi," "chān," and "babūn".[4] Since there were only three lines of dialogue, Katsura once considered speaking in the exact same pattern every time, but felt the reactions from the people around her were poor, so after that, she would make sure to vary her speech based on the situation and the surrounding lines.[4]

In 1997, Katsura left Sazae-san for a period of time, with voice actress Taeko Kawata serving as her substitute.[17]

She revealed around 2022 that when she returned to voice Rika after a year, the more she tried to remember how to play the role, the harder it became. Relying too heavily on technical skills made the performance lifeless, leading to a rare slump.[4]

Successors

After Katsura stepped down from her roles due to advancing age, the following individuals have taken over some of her voice acting roles.

SuccessorCharacterWorkDebut
Rie SaitouTabitha StephensBewitchedBonus DVD content
Sayaka KitaharaSuzuko SiotaSazae-sanEpisode broadcast on June 19, 2022
Rika NozawaEpisode broadcast on June 22, 2025[14]
Mana KoshirakawaKaori ŌzoraEpisode broadcast on June 1, 2025[14]
Sachie HiraiIkura NaminoEpisode broadcast on June 8, 2025[14]

Filmography

Television animation

List of voice performances in television animation
Year Title Role Notes Source
1964–1965Wolf Boy KenDorothy, Mama[18][19]
1968Cyborg 009Additional voice
1968Sally the WitchKanna
1969Attack No. 1Deko[18]
1969GeGeGe no KitarōAdditional voice
1969Sabu to Ichi Torimono HikaeO myō
1969Ninpu Kamui GaidenGomame[18]
1969The Genie FamilyAdditional voice
1969–1970Mōretsu AtarōAdditional voice
1970Akakichi no ElevenYoko[18]
1970–1971Star of the GiantsMichi[18]
1971–2025Sazae-sanIkura Namino, Rika Nozawa, Kaori Ōzora, Suzuko SiotaFirst voice[14][20]
1971New Little Ghost Q-TarōO-JirōSecond voice[18]
1971GeGeGe no KitarōAdditional voice
1971Tiger MaskYoko Takaoka[21]
1971Tensai BakabonAdditional voice
1972AstrogangerAdditional voice
1972Akado SuzunosukeNamino Daisuke[22][23]
1972Pinocchio: The SeriesThe Granddaughter, Nīna
1972Sarutobi EcchanAdditional voice
1972–1974The Gutsy FrogShūsaku, Additional voice[24]
1972HazedonTamii[25]
1973Jungle KurobeAka-beeMain role[18][26][27]
1973–1974Dororon Enma-kunHarumiMain role[28][29]
1973Mazinger ZAyuko KitōEp. 51[30]
1973–1974Aim for the Ace!Additional voice
1974CalimeroPriscillaSecond voice[31]
1974New Honeybee HutchAdditional voice
1974Samurai GiantsAdditional voice
1974Jūdō SankaErika Tatewaki[32]
1974Kōya no Shōnen IsamuAdditional voice
1975Ikkyū-sanSayo-chanMain role[33][34]
1975Getter Robo GMaria[35]
1975Time BokanC-robot, MimiMain role[18][36][37][38]
1975Dog of FlandersAloisSecond voice[39][40]
1975Reideen the BraveMiho
1976Gowappa 5 GōdamMako, YoshikoCredited as "Reiko Katsura" (桂令子)
1976Chōdenji Robo Combattler VRoboco[41]
19763000 Leagues in Search of MotherPeter
1976Paul's Miraculous AdventurePrincess, Aria
1976Beeton The RobotBeetonFirst voice[42]
1977–1979YattermanOmotchama[18][43][44]
1977Tenguri, Boy of the PlainsAdditional voiceTelevision film[45]
1978Her Majesty's Petite AngieHarrison
1978Majokko TickleMakoCredited as "Reiko Katsura" (桂れい子)
1979Cyborg 009FloraEp. 8
1979ZendermanKepepe, Anne, Momotaro
1980DraculaLilas[46]
1980Space Warrior BaldiosGirl
1980Mū no HakugeiMuLead role[18]
1981–1985Dr. Slump – Arale-chanChivilDebuts in Ep. 34
1982Hello! SpankAdditional voice
1982Boku Patalliro!MadelineEp. 9
1982Fuku-chanKiyoshi Shimizu[18][47]
1984Oyoneko BoonyanAunt
1984Little MemoleBarbara[18][48]
1994Tsuyoshi Shikkari ShinasaiWashino's mother[18]
2011NichijouNano's little toe, NarrationEp. 1
2018Layton Mystery Tanteisha: Katori no Nazotoki FileMittaly MitaraEp. 21
2019The Helpful Fox Senko-sanKuroto Nakano's grandmotherDebuts in Ep. 1

Theatrical animation

List of voice performances in theatrical animation
Year Title Role(s) Notes Source
1970Chibikko Remi to Meiken KapiLiza[49]
1976Ikkyū-sanSayo-chan[50]

Original video animation (OVA)

List of voice performances in original video animation
Year Title Role(s) Notes Source
1994Time Bokan Royal Revival II - Alumni Reunion in the Tatsunokon KingdomOmotchama[18][51]

Dubbing

Television

List of dub performances in overseas television productions
Title Role Notes Source
BewitchedTabitha Stephens (Erin Murphy)[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Directory of Japanese Celebrities (1980 Edition)" (in Japanese). VIP Times. 1979. p. 266.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "The Encyclopedia of Animation" (in Japanese). Tokyo Sanshisha. 1981. p. 186.
  3. 1 2 桂玲子 (かつられいこ) のプロフィール・画像・出演スケジュール｜【スタスケ】(0000140674) (in Japanese). TheTVJP. TheTVJP Official Website.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 時代を創った声 声優…桂玲子 (in Japanese). Radio Midnight Express. May 5, 2024. NHK.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 桂 玲子 - 俳協 (in Japanese). Haikyo. Haikyo Official Website. Archived from the original on August 17, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 「サザエさん」初代イクラ役の桂玲子が死去、誤嚥性肺炎による呼吸不全のため (in Japanese). Comic Natalie (Natasha).
  7. ↑ Some sources, like "Voice Actor Directory: From Animation to Foreign Films..." (in Japanese), released by Kindai Eiga-sha in 1985 on page 41, claim she was born on February 8, 1938.
  8. 1 2 文学座俳優の金内喜久夫さん死去、87歳 がんのため (in Japanese). Sankei Sports. Sankei Digital. April 29, 2020.
  9. ↑ Some sources like "Voice Actor Directory: From Animation to Foreign Films..." (in Japanese), released by Kindai Eiga-sha in 1985 on page 41 claim that Kikuo was born on January 29, 1935.
  10. ↑ 桂 玲子 - タレントデータバンク (in Japanese). Talent Data Bank.
  11. 1 2 Voice Actress Reiko Katsura Dies at 89. Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. March 4, 2026.
  12. ↑ 訃報：桂 玲子 逝去のお知らせ (in Japanese). Haikyo. Haikyo Official Website.
  13. ↑ 声優・桂玲子さん死去 89歳 『サザエさん』初代イクラちゃん役 (in Japanese). ORICON NEWS. March 4, 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 アニメ『サザエさん』「イクラ」「カオリ」「リカ」の声優交代のお知らせ (in Japanese). Official Sazae-san anime blog. Aiken. June 1, 2025.
  15. ↑ 意外と変わってた! 国民的アニメサザエさんの声優たち (in Japanese). Mynavi Woman.
  16. ↑ 『サザエさん』“新”イクラ役に平井祥恵 85歳・桂玲子が降板 (in Japanese).
  17. ↑ 川田妙子 (in Japanese). 81 Produce. Archived from the original on February 10, 2003.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Women’s Section". "Encyclopedia of Voice Actors" (2nd ed.) (in Japanese). Kinema Junpo Sha. p. 379. ISBN 4-87376-160-3.
  19. ↑ 狼少年ケン (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  20. ↑ サザエさん (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  21. ↑ "Tiger Mask: You Are a Tiger! You Will Become a Tiger!!" (in Japanese). Kawade Shobo Shinsha. September 20, 2003. 127 pages. ISBN 978-4309266770.
  22. ↑ 赤胴鈴之助 (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment. TMS Entertainment Official Website.
  23. ↑ 赤胴鈴之助 (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  24. ↑ Edited by Nobukazu Uekusa. "Yoshiyuki Tomino Filmography (Masahiro Haraguchi)" in "The Complete Works of Yoshiyuki Tomino" (in Japanese). Kinema Junpo-sha (Kinema Junpo Mook). June 9, 1999. p. 415. ISBN 4-87376-514-5.
  25. ↑ ハゼドン (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  26. ↑ ジャングル黒べえ (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment. TMS Entertainment Official Website.
  27. ↑ ジャングル黒べえ (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  28. ↑ ドロロンえん魔くん (in Japanese). Toei Animation. Toei Animation Official Website.
  29. ↑ ドロロンえん魔くん (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  30. ↑ Masanobu Akahoshi. "The Iron Fortress: A Comprehensive Guide to Mazinger Z" (in Japanese). Kodansha. February 7, 1998. p. 143. ISBN 4-06-330047-1.
  31. ↑ カリメロアニメ紹介 (in Japanese). Chara Pit. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  32. ↑ 柔道讃歌 (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  33. ↑ 一休さん (in Japanese). Toei Animation. Toei Animation Official Website.
  34. ↑ 一休さん (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  35. ↑ "List of Guest Cast Members for 'Getter Robo' and 'Getter Robo G'" in "The Complete Guide to Getter Robo" (in Japanese). Futabasha. October 15, 1998. p. 210. ISBN 4-575-28885-3.
  36. ↑ 作品データベース タイムボカン (in Japanese). Tatsunoko Production. Tatsunoko Production Official Website. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024.
  37. ↑ タイムボカン (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  38. ↑ From the booklet accompanying the VHS release of "Time Bokan Series: Time Bokan Vol. 1" (in Japanese).
  39. ↑ フランダースの犬 (in Japanese). Nippon Animation. Nippon Animation Official Website.
  40. ↑ フランダースの犬 (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  41. ↑ "Chapter 1: Analysis of Each Episode of Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V" in Tadao Nagahama’s "The World of Romantic Robot Anime: The Complete Guide to Combattler V, Voltes V, Dimos, and Daltanias" (in Japanese). Futabasha. July 15, 2003. 35 pages. ISBN 4-575-29575-2.
  42. ↑ ろぼっ子ビートン (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  43. ↑ 作品データベース ヤッターマン (in Japanese). Tatsunoko Production. Tatsunoko Production Official Website. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024.
  44. ↑ タイムボカンシリーズ ヤッターマン (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  45. ↑ 草原の子テングリ (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  46. ↑ 闇の帝王 吸血鬼ドラキュラ (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  47. ↑ フクちゃん (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  48. ↑ キャラクター／キャスト (in Japanese). Toei Animation Lineup. Little Memole. Toei Animation Official Website.
  49. ↑ ちびっ子レミと名犬カピ (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  50. ↑ 一休さん (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
  51. ↑ タイムボカン王道復古 タツノッコン王国で同窓会だコロン! (in Japanese). allcinema.net.
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