Nobuyo Oyama, best-known for the voice of Doraemon in the Doraemon anime series, passed away on September 29 at the age of 90, her agency Actors Seven revealed. The series is recognized as one of the longest running anime in Japan.
Nobuyo Oyama played the role of Doramon from April 1979 to March 2005, when the anime celebrated its 25th anniversary and replaced the main cast. Her passing leaves only Michiko Nomura (Shizuka Minamoto) from the original cast:
- Noriko Ohara (Nobita Nobi) – July 2024
- Kazuya Tatekabe (Takeshi Goda) – June 2016
- Kaneta Kimotsuki (Suneo Honekawa) – October 2016
The late voice actress also known as Monokuma in Danganronpa series. In 2016, the role was replaced with TARAKO (Maruko in Chibi Maruko-chan), who passed away in March 2024.
TV Asahi Corporation the broadcast station of Doraemon in Japan, issued a statement on the passing of Nobuyo Oyama:
We are filled with shock and grief. Oyama-san played, from 1979 to 2005, for 26 long years, the role in “Doraemon” for us. Her voice, feeling like gently embracing you, has moved the hearts of children all over the world, and delivered dreams and hopes to them. We would like to express our gratitude to her great achievements along with our prayer for her soul to rest in peace.
Source: Yomiuri Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun
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