Yoshiko Ōta

Yoshiko Ōta
太田淑子
Born
Yoshiko Saka (阪 淑子)[1][2]

(1932-04-25)April 25, 1932
Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Empire of Japan
DiedOctober 29, 2021(2021-10-29) (aged 89)
Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Occupations
Years active1948–2021
AgentTheater Echo
SpouseOsamu Saka[3][4]

Yoshiko Saka (阪 淑子, Saka Yoshiko; née Ōta, April 25, 1932[5][6] – October 29, 2021[7]) known professionally as Yoshiko Ōta (太田淑子, Ōta Yoshiko) was a Japanese voice actress and actress from Kyoto Prefecture[8], affiliated with Theater Echo.

She is best known for voice roles such as Leo/Kimba in Kimba the White Lion, Tanpei in Time Bokan, Gan-chan/Yatterman No.1 in Yatterman, Sewashi in Doraemon, Nobita Nobi in Doraemon, Princess Sapphire in Princess Knight, Atsuko "Akko" Kagami in The Secret of Akko-chan, Kyoko Otowa in Aim for the Ace!, Chizuko Makieda in D.N.Angel, Panny/Baby Panda in Panda! Go Panda!, Peebo in Chodenshi Bioman, and Urasue in InuYasha.[9][10][11][12]

Biography

Ōta was born in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Empire of Japan on April 25, 1932.

She joined Takarazuka Revue in 1947, and remained with them until 1952.[7][13] She joined Theater Echo in 1963.[14]

In 2016, she received the Tokyo Anime Award Festival's Merit Award.[7][15][14]

Ōta died from heart failure on October 29, 2021, at the age of 89.[16][14] Her death was announced on November 9 by Theater Echo.[7]

Personal life

She married fellow voice actor Osamu Saka, whom she met while a member of the Takarazuka Revue.[7] The couple moved to Tokyo in 1964.[13]

Throughout the 1960s, Ōta voiced the heroes and heroines in animated adaptations of Osamu Tezuka's works. She even managed to appear as a voice actress in all three anime series of The Secret of Akko-chan.[12] When she was cast to voice Princess Sapphire in Princess Knight, she was overjoyed, as it was a role she always wanted to play.[12]

She was the original voice of Nobita Nobi for the first Doraemon anime series. In the second Doraemon anime series that ran from 1979 to 2005, she voiced Nobita's great-great-grandson Sewashi.[12]

Originally, Time Bokan and Yatterman were intended to focus on the main hero and heroine, voiced by her and Mari Okamoto. However, the villainous trios of both series were so entertaining with audiences and the staff that they became the main characters.[12] Ōta expressed her personal frustration at this decision, remarking, "It's always the bad guys who get all the attention."[17][18]

Successors

The following individuals took over some of Ōta's acting roles after her death.

SuccessorCharacterWorkDebut
Maki ZeninHung Chu / Yellow Pearl (Kim Jeong-ran)Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin (TBS version)Additional content in the J:COM BS version[19]

Filmography

Television animation

List of voice performances in television animation
Year Title Role Notes Source
1964Big XAkira Asagumo[20][21][14]
Astro BoyRin/Phosphorus (Atom's mother)
1965Space Patrol HopperRuby[22][23]
Jungle Emperor LeoLeo/KimbaLead role[7][24][25]
1967The Golden BatBasco
Adventure on the Gaboten IslandIgao[26]
Princess KnightPrincess SapphireLead role[14][27][28]
1968The Monster KidHaniwa-kun
SasukeKasumi Tsubaki[29]
Boy's Detective TeamNarrator[30]
1969Marine BoyElm BoyEp. 25
The Secret of Akko-chanAtsuko "Akko" KagamiLead role[7][31][32]
1970NorakuroPrivate Megane[33]
The Adventures of Hutch the HoneybeeAdditional voice
1971Little Ghost Q-TarōShōta ŌharaMain role[34][35]
The Extravagant MuchabeiAdditional voice
Marvelous MelmoNitakoEp. 6
Genshi Shōnen RyūDon
Maco the MermaidNobuko, RikaNobuko in Ep. 32, Rika in Ep. 41
1972The One Who Loves Justice: Moonlight MaskAlan Boy
1973Aim for the Ace!Kyoko Otowa[14]
The Gutsy FrogAdditional voice
DoraemonNobita NobiMain role[14][36]
1974Jim ButtonJimLead role[37][38]
1975Laura, the Prairie GirlJohn
Time BokanTanpei, MirrorLead role; Mirror in Ep. 18[14][39][40][41]
Kum-KumAron[42]
1977Ippatsu Kanta-kunKanta Tobase[43][44]
Paul's Miraculous AdventurePeter
YattermanGan-chan/Yatterman No.1Main role[14]
Manga Japanese Picture ScrollAdditional voice
1978The Adventures of the Little PrincePeter
1979Undersea Super Train: Marine ExpressPrincess Sapphire[45][46]
The UltramanIchiro Okawara
Wandering Girl NellKit[47]
ZendermanTsukiyoshimaru, Paknam, Santa, KantaTsukiyoshimaru in Ep. 5, Paknam in Ep. 21, Santa in Ep. 26, Kanta in Ep. 34
DoraemonJaiko Gōda, SewashiFirst voice of Jaiko Gōda[14]
The Rose of VersaillesJeanne (Fake Antoinette)
1980Fisherman SanpeiJin
1981Ai no Gakko Cuore MonogatariGaloffi
ToshishunToshishunLead role[48]
Jarinko ChieAntonio Jr.Main role[49][50]
YattodetamanSanta, Pack
1982Urusei YatsuraKōmoriEp. 27
ni-shi manruiTokuzo's wife
Miss MachikoMs. Aoshima
1983The YearlingJody Baxter[51]
1984Chikkun TakkunMiyo's grandmother
1986Hikari no DensetsuHitomi Kamijou[52]
1988Osomatsu-kunJinbeiderEps 14, 85
The Secret of Akko-chanKyōko Kagami (Atsuko "Akko" Kagami's mother)[14][53]
1989Blue BlinkMaha MahaEp. 31
Jungle Emperor LeoPalna
Miracle Giants Dome-kunTorao Tsutenkaku[54]
Ranma ½Chou, Ono Kin[14]
1990Magical HatMidori
1991Anime Himitsu no HanazonoSarah Ann MedlockMain role[55]
Jarinko Chie 2Antonio Jr.Main role[56][57]
Marude DameoSayuri's mother
1994Tsuyoshi, Hold TightNozomi's mother
1998Sentimental GraffitiAyasaki Misao
The Secret of Akko-chanOld Lady
2001InuyashaUrasueDebuts in Ep. 14
2003D.N.AngelChizuko Fujieda
2006A Spirit of the SunTami[58]
2016Witchy Pretty Cure!Legend QueenFinal television anime role[59][60]

Theatrical animation

List of voice performances in theatrical animation
Year Title Role Notes Source
1966Kimba the White LionLeo/KimbaLead role[61]
1969The Monster KidHaniwa-kun[62]
The Secret of Akko-chanAtsuko "Akko" KagamiLead role[63][64]
1970The Secret of Akko-chan: Tears of the Rolling ReceiveAtsuko "Akko" KagamiLead role[65]
The Secret of Akko-chan: Hooray for Pet-kunAtsuko "Akko" KagamiLead role[66]
1972Panda! Go Panda!Panny/Baby Panda[67][68][14]
1973Panda! Go Panda!: The Rainy-Day CircusTora-chan/Baby Tiger[69][70]
Panda's AdventuresRonron[71]
1975The Little Humpbacked HorseIvan[72]
1977Tenguri, Boy of the PlainsAdditional voice[73]
YattermanGan-chan/Yatterman No.1[74]
1981Jarinko ChieMasaru's mother, Chie's classmate[75]
1989The Secret of Akko-chanKyōko Kagami (Atsuko "Akko" Kagami's mother)[76]
1991Dorami-chan: Wow, The Kid Gang of Bandits!SewashiShort film[77]
1993Dorami-chan: Hello, Dynosis Kids!!SewashiShort film[78]
19952112: The Birth of DoraemonSewashiShort film[79]
1997Chikyū ga Ugoita HiKinue Tachibana[80]

Original video animation (OVA)

List of voice performances in original video animation
Year Title Role Notes Source
1984Cream Lemon: SF Super Dimensional Legend RallPerle
1988Mobile Police PatlaborShikake no ine
Video Picture Book: Sun WukongNarrator
1989Hisaichi Ishii's Nandakanda Theater 1: The Rumored Underground People / It's All the Fault of the Top Brass!!Additional voice
1994Time Bokan: Royal RevivalGan-chan/Yatterman No.1[81]

Video games

  • Time Bokan Series: Bokan to Ippatsu! Doronbo (1997): Tanpei, Gan-chan/Yatterman No.1
  • Bokan Desu yo (1998): Tanpei, Gan-chan/Yatterman No.1
  • The Secret of Akko-chan: Little Witching Mischiefs (1999): Atsuko Kagami
  • Kids Station: Doraemon: Himitsu no Yojigen Pocket (2001): Sewashi Nobi
  • Inuyasha (2001): Urasue
  • Bokan GoGoGo (2001): Tanpei, Gan-chan/Yatterman No.1
  • Slotter Up Core 3: Yuda! Doronjo ni Omakase (2004): Tanpei, Gan-chan/Yatterman No.1

Dubbing

Animation

Awards

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2016 Tokyo Anime Award Merit Award Honored [7][14][15]

References

  1. ↑ "Women’s Section" in "Encyclopedia of Voice Actors, 2nd Edition" (in Japanese). Kinema Junpo Sha. March 30, 1996. 363 pages. ISBN 4-87376-160-3.
  2. ↑ "Shin Geki Henran '89" (in Japanese). Teatro. 1989. 96 pages.
  3. ↑ "Extreme Voice Soul/Yoshiko Ōta" in "Seiyuu Animedia" (in Japanese). September 2009 issue. Published by Gakken Holdings in September 2009. pages 114-115.
  4. ↑ "Tori Miki's Movie Dubbing King" (in Japanese). Published by Yosensha in 2004. pages 126-137. ISBN 4896918371.
  5. ↑ “太田淑子が心不全のため89歳で死去” (in Japanese). Stage Natalie (Natasha). (November 8, 2021). Accessed December 11, 2021.
  6. ↑ During her life, Ōta claimed she was born on April 25, 1936.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Alhamzah, Tahir (November 11, 2021). "#Showbiz: Nobita's first voice actress Yoshiko Ota dies". New Straits Times. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ Some online Japanese sources claim Hyogo Prefecture, where she spent a long time at, was her birthplace.
  9. ↑ Original Akko-chan VA Yoshiko Ota Passes Away 89. Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll news. November 7, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  10. ↑ Veteran Voice Actress Yoshiko Ota Passes Away at 89. Otaku USA. Otaku USA official website. November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  11. ↑ Yoshiko Ota, The OG Voice Of Nobita, Passes Away At The Age Of 89. gempak.com. rojakdaily. November 16, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kyoku: Seikon / Yoshiko Ota" in "Seiyu Animedia" (in Japanese). September 2009 issue. Gakken Holdings. September 2009. pages 114–115.
  13. 1 2 Luster, Joseph (November 8, 2021). "Veteran Voice Actress Yoshiko Ota Passes Away at 89". Otaku USA Magazine. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Voice Actress Yoshiko Ohta Passes Away". Anime News Network. November 8, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  15. 1 2 “これまでの顕彰者” (in Japanese). Tokyo Anime Award Festival.
  16. ↑ “「ジャングル大帝」レオや「ひみつのアッコちゃん」…俳優・声優の太田淑子さん死去” (in Japanese). Yomiuri Shimbun Online (Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo Headquarters). (November 8, 2021)
  17. ↑ "Trio: The Great Comeback! Above All Else, 'Arahora Sassa'" in "Animage". October 1993 issue. Supplement 1: "Time Bokan" OVA Revival Commemorative "Yatte Oshimai BOOK". 25 pages.
  18. ↑ Akira Kamiya, "Jōji Nanami" in "Everyone Wanted to Be a Voice Actor: Akira Kamiya and 25 Voice Actors". Shufunotomo-sha. January 6, 1994. 280 pages. ISBN 4-07-214333-2.
  19. ↑ 寺門真希（てらかどまき）の2024年4月22日のツイート (in Japanese). Twitter. April 22, 2024.
  20. ↑ “ビッグX” (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka Official Website.
  21. ↑ ビッグＸ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  22. ↑ “パトロールホッパ宇宙っ子ジュン” (in Japanese). Toei Animation.
  23. ↑ 宇宙パトロール ホッパ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  24. ↑ “ジャングル大帝” (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka Official Website.
  25. ↑ ジャングル大帝 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  26. ↑ 冒険ガボテン島 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  27. ↑ “リボンの騎士” (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka Official Website.
  28. ↑ リボンの騎士 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  29. ↑ サスケ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  30. ↑ わんぱく探偵団 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  31. ↑ キャラクター／キャスト (in Japanese). Toei Animation Lineup. The Secret of Akko-chan (Season 1). Toei Animation.
  32. ↑ ひみつのアッコちゃん (第一期) (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  33. ↑ のらくろ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  34. ↑ 新オバケのＱ太郎 (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment Official Website. TMS Entertainment.
  35. ↑ 新オバケのＱ太郎 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  36. ↑ ドラえもん 旧 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  37. ↑ ジムボタン (in Japanese). Media Arts Database. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  38. ↑ ジムボタン (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  39. ↑ “作品データベース タイムボカン” (in Japanese). Tatsunoko Production Official Website. Tatsunoko Production. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  40. ↑ タイムボカンシリーズ　ヤッターマン (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  41. ↑ From the commentary booklet for the VHS tape "Time Bokan Series: Time Bokan vol.1".
  42. ↑ クムクム (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  43. ↑ “作品データベース” (in Japanese). Tatsunoko Production Official Website. Tatsunoko Production. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  44. ↑ 一発貫太くん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  45. ↑ 海底超特急 マリン・エクスプレス (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka | TEZUKA OSAMU OFFICIAL. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  46. ↑ 海底超特急マリン・エクスプレス (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  47. ↑ さすらいの少女ネル (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  48. ↑ 杜子春 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  49. ↑ じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment official website. TMS Entertainment. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  50. ↑ じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  51. ↑ 子鹿物語 THE YEARLING (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  52. ↑ 光の伝説 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  53. ↑ キャラクター／キャスト (in Japanese). Toei Animation Lineup. The Secret of Akko-chan 2. Toei Animation. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  54. ↑ ミラクル・ジャイアンツ童夢くん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  55. ↑ アニメ ひみつの花園 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  56. ↑ チエちゃん奮戦記 じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment official website. TMS Entertainment. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  57. ↑ チエちゃん奮戦記 じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  58. ↑ 太陽の黙示録 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  59. ↑ 『魔法つかいプリキュア！』43話先行カット＆新キャラ声優公開 (in Japanese). Animate Times. December 3, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  60. ↑ 魔法つかいプリキュア! (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  61. ↑ ジャングル大帝 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  62. ↑ 怪物くん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  63. ↑ ひみつのアッコちゃん サーカス団がやってきた (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  64. ↑ ひみつのアッコちゃん わたしのパパはどこ？ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  65. ↑ ひみつのアッコちゃん 涙の回転レシーブ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  66. ↑ ひみつのアッコちゃん ばんざいペットくん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  67. ↑ パンダコパンダ (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment Official Website. TMS Entertainment.
  68. ↑ パンダ・コパンダ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  69. ↑ パンダコパンダ 雨ふりサーカスの巻 (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment Official Website. TMS Entertainment.
  70. ↑ パンダ・コパンダ 雨ふりサーカスの巻 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  71. ↑ パンダの大冒険 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  72. ↑ せむしの仔馬 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  73. ↑ 草原の子テングリ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  74. ↑ ヤッターマン (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  75. ↑ じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  76. ↑ ひみつのアッコちゃん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  77. ↑ ドラミちゃん アララ・少年山賊団 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  78. ↑ ドラミちゃん ハロー恐竜キッズ!! (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  79. ↑ ドラえもん 2112年ドラえもん誕生 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  80. ↑ 地球が動いた日 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  81. ↑ 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. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  82. ↑ "Voice Actor Directory". Seibido Publishing. 1999. p. 50. ISBN 4-415-00878-X.
  83. ↑ "Encyclopedia of Voice Actors, 2nd Edition". Kinema Junpo Sha. March 30, 1996. 363 pages. ISBN 4-87376-160-3.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.