Voice Actress Atsuko Tanaka Dies at 61

Renowned voice actress Atsuko Tanaka, best known for her role as Major Motoko Kusanagi in Koukaku Kidoutai (Ghost in the Shell), died on Tuesday. She was 61. In a heartfelt statement, Tanaka's son, Hikaru Tanaka, expressed his deep appreciation for the fans who supported his mother and the colleagues who stood by her throughout her career. At her request, he noted that the specific illness she faced would remain undisclosed. Although their mother-son relationship had been kept private, Hikaru regretted having to disclose it in these circumstances. Born in November 1962, in Maebashi, Gunma, Tanaka aspired to be an actor from a young age. After graduating from university, she worked at an office recommended by her father for six years, while attending classes on weekends and at night at the Tokyo Announcement Academy. Tanaka was greatly inspired by voice actress Yukiko Nikaidou, the first voice of Fujiko Mine in Lupin III. Tanaka debuted as a voice actress in the Kobo-chan anime series as Noriko in 1992. She landed her first major role as Karen Korinsky in Lupin III: Lupin Ansatsu Shirei (Lupin III: Voyage to Danger) the following year. Tanaka gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Major Motoko Kusanagi in the Koukaku Kidoutai (Ghost in the Shell) franchise, a role that became synonymous with her name. Tanaka's performance as the strong, enigmatic leader of Section 9 won her a legion of fans and solidified her status as one of the most respected voice actresses in the field. She recently voiced Rose in Chiyu Mahou no Machigatta Tsukaikata (The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic) in Winter 2024. She was also the voice of Bayonetta in the Bayonetta franchise.