Prominent Japanese voice actress Atsuko Tanaka has passed away at the age of 61. The sad news was revealed on Twitter/X in a post by the late actress’ son, Hikaru Tanaka.

According to her son’s post, Atsuko Tanaka died due to an illness. However, he chose not to disclose what specific illness she suffered from.

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— ?? ??Hikaru Tanaka? (@HikaruTanaka_va) August 20, 2024

The post reads:

On August 20, 2024, my mother, the voice actress Atsuko Tanaka, peacefully passed away.

To all the fans who loved Atsuko Tanaka,
To everyone in the industry who worked with her during her lifetime,
I would like to express my deepest gratitude on behalf of her.

It is with great regret that I must inform you of this parent-child relationship in such a manner.

As per her wishes, I will not disclose the specific illness, but she bravely fought it for over a year with grace, humor, and strength. I believe it was a life that was truly characteristic of Atsuko Tanaka.

I feel truly blessed to have had such a proud mother.

Lastly,
Please do not forget that Atsuko Tanaka poured her heart and soul into the characters she loved and brought to life. And Atsuko Tanaka, the voice actress, herself.

With love and respect for the woman and voice actress that was my mother,
I sign this message with love.

August 20, 2024
Hikaru Tanaka

Atsuko Tanaka had decades of experience voicing characters across anime and video games.

She is perhaps best known for voicing Motoko Kusanagi in the Ghost In The Shell franchise, Konan in the Naruto series, Caster in the Fate/Stay Night series, Lisa Lisa in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Claudette in Queen’s Blade, Francis Midford in Black Butler, and Karura in Utawarerumono, Bayonetta in the Bayonetta series (the Japanese dub, of course), Hanami in Jujutsu Kaisen and Kyrie Ushiromiya from Umineko no Naku Koro ni.

Her more recent roles included Flamme in Frieren Beyond Journey’s End and Kunus in Brave Bang Bravern.

Our condolences to her family and friends.

Many have sent out their condolences online, including fellow voice actors and fans.

Voice actor Tenjin Hidetaka posted: I was so shocked I was speechless.
I met him at various locations and he taught me many things. Even now, the sight of him standing tall in front of the microphone seems to be the epitome of his ideal.
Rest in peace.

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— TENJIN???? (@TENJIN_hidetaka) August 20, 2024

One fan posted: I remember first discovering Tanaka Atsuko through Ghost in the Shell and being attracted to her cool voice.

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— ?? (@datesohshi) August 20, 2024

Another fan posted: Her performance as Amida in Iron-Blooded Orphans was amazing. May she rest in peace.

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— ???? (@METAOYAZI) August 20, 2024