Atsuko Tanaka: The Voice Actor
She died of an undisclosed illness that she had been living within the past year per her son Hikaru.
Tanaka described how he believed she had lived a Tanakan life, saying:
‘With all the health problems Emi has been battling for the past year and to walk our sweet dog Bambi 5 times at night every day.
Majestic and a tad whimsical I have a mother that is so proud of me, and I am really thankful.
Her most well-known roles include voicing Motoko Kusanagi in the Ghost in the Shell franchise from November 14, 1962.
She was active as a voice actor mostly in anime, with roles such as three of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure OVAs; one Lupin III film and Queen’s Blade.
On the game side, she is best known for providing Japanese voice of bayonetta in role from her own titular series.
Prior to that as a guest character opening. She’s known for playing Kaine in the Nier franchise, Reina from Yakuza.
Trish in Devil May Cry series and to be the Japanese voice of Lara Croft for Tomb Raider video game series.
After Tanaka passed away, a number of the franchises she was associated with wrote their own eulogies on her behalf.
The Twitter account for Ghost in the Shell added, Kusanagi was filled with a wonderful quiet and naked power devoid of ostentation.
“Really enjoyed my time as Kaine in Nier Replicant,” reads the tweet from Nier’s Twitter account. Eternal rest grant unto them oh Lord.
And lastly, from the recent Frieren anime:
Thank you to all of the Funeral Parlor members and staff that came onto stage at this time and offered a live performance; we would like to express our deepest appreciation for your support.
