Sailor Moon and Naruto voice actress Emi Shinohara dies at 61

Emi Shinohara, a celebrated voice actress beloved for her work in iconic anime series, passed away on September 8, 2024, at 61.

Shinohara’s talent agency, 81 Produce, released a statement on their website confirming her passing after a battle with an undisclosed illness.

Shinohara, whose real name was Emiko Watanabe, was born on August 8, 1963, in Fukushima Prefecture.

She built a remarkable voice-acting career over several decades, becoming a well-known voice talent in the anime industry. Fans will remember her for bringing some of the most iconic characters to life in anime.

Japanese voice actor Emi Shinohara passes away due to undisclosed illness

Shinohara was best known for portraying Sailor Jupiter (Makoto Kino) in the Sailor Moon series.

When it first aired in the early 1990s, Sailor Moon became a cultural phenomenon, and Sailor Jupiter’s character, with her blend of toughness and gentle heart, quickly became a fan favorite.

Another significant role for Shinohara was that of Kushina Uzumaki, the mother of Naruto Uzumaki in the long-running Naruto series.

Additionally, Shinohara voiced Kaho Mizuki in Cardcaptor Sakura and its sequel series, Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card. Over her career, Shinohara lent her voice to a wide variety of characters in other well-known series:

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