Atsuko Tanaka, Voice Behind Ghost In The Shell’s Motoko Passes Away At 61

As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for the arts, particularly anime, I am saddened by the loss of Atsuko Tanaka, a voice acting titan who breathed life into countless iconic characters. Her passing at the age of 61 is a significant blow to the anime community and beyond.


61-year-old celebrated Japanese anime voice artist, Atsuko Tanaka, has tragically passed away after battling an unspecified illness for approximately a year. Her son, Hikaru Tanaka, shared this sad news via his social media platforms.

Through a post shared on X (previously known as Twitter), her son announced, “On August 20, 2024, voice actress Atsuko Tanaka took her final peaceful breath. I’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the fans who cherished Atsuko Tanaka and everyone in the industry who collaborated with her over the years, on behalf of my mother.”

Hikaru went on saying, “In accordance with her request, I won’t reveal the exact disease she faced, but for more than a year, she battled it with an incredible combination of dignity, wit, and resilience. To me, this embodies Atsuko Tanaka perfectly. I am deeply grateful to have had such an admirable mother. Lastly, let’s not forget that Atsuko Tanaka poured every ounce of her love into the characters she created and gave life to.”

Experienced voice actress Tanaka has lent her voice to legendary anime characters including Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell, Coffee from Cowboy Bebop, Konan from Naruto Shippuden, Lisa Lisa from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Hanami from Jujutsu Kaisen, and Flamme from Frieren. Lately, she voiced Omurasaki no Omae in YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master.

In addition to her fame, Tanaka was recognized for consistently landing roles as semi-mature female action characters. Notably, she provided the Japanese voice for Lara Croft in five consecutive Tomb Raider games, a role later taken over by Takako Honda. Furthermore, she was part of the Japanese cast in Devil May Cry, Yakuza, The Last of Us, and many more productions.

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2024-08-20 19:53