Renowned voice actress Emi Shinohara, beloved for her iconic roles as Sailor Jupiter in Sailor Moon and Kushina Uzumaki in Naruto Shippuden, has passed away at the age of 61. Her agency, 81 Produce, announced the news on September 10, revealing that Shinohara had been battling a long illness before her passing on 8 September.

In a heartfelt statement, her agency shared:

“Our actor Emi Shinohara (real name Emiko Watanabe) passed away on September 8, 2024, at the age of 61. We deeply appreciate the kindness shown to her during her lifetime and wish to express our sincere gratitude as we share this news.”

Shinohara, born in Nagano Prefecture in 1963, had an illustrious career spanning over three decades. She voiced many beloved characters, including Kaho Mizuki in Cardcaptor Sakura and Kaori Toyama in BanG Dream! Her death follows the recent losses of other prominent voice actors, marking a sombre period for the anime community.

Tributes have poured in from colleagues, including Megumi Ogata, known for her role as Sailor Uranus, and Rika Fukami, who voiced Sailor Venus. Ogata reminisced about their shared moments, while Fukami expressed her deep affection, saying, “I love you forever.”

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— ???? (@Megumi_Ogata) September 10, 2024

Shinohara’s contributions to anime will be fondly remembered, leaving a lasting legacy in the hearts of fans and colleagues alike.