Nobuyo Oyama, the renowned voice actress most famous for portraying Doraemon in the beloved anime series Doraemon, passed away on September 29 at the age of 90.
Her death was announced by her agency, Actors Seven. Doraemon is one of Japan’s longest-running anime, and Oyama played a key role in its success.
She voiced Doraemon from April 1979 until March 2005, marking her contribution to the anime’s 25-year anniversary before the main cast was replaced.
Following Oyama’s death, only Michiko Nomura, the voice of Shizuka Minamoto, remains from the original cast, as Noriko Ohara (Nobita Nobi) passed away in July 2024, Kazuya Tatekabe (Takeshi Goda) in 2016, and Kaneta Kimotsuki (Suneo Honekawa) also in 2016.
Aside from Doraemon, Oyama was also recognized for voicing Monokuma in the Danganronpa series.
Nobuyo Oyama (ungeishunju)
However, in 2016, she stepped down from the role, and TARAKO, best known for voicing Maruko in Chibi Maruko-chan, took over. Sadly, TARAKO passed away earlier in March 2024.
Oyama’s legacy extends beyond just one character, as she had a remarkable impact on Japanese pop culture, lending her voice to characters that entertained and inspired multiple generations.
TV Asahi, the station that has broadcasted Doraemon in Japan, expressed deep sorrow over Oyama’s passing.
The network released a heartfelt statement, acknowledging her immense contribution to the success of the anime.
They praised her portrayal of Doraemon, noting how her warm and comforting voice left a lasting impression on children not only in Japan but all over the world.
Her role, they said, brought dreams and hope to millions of young viewers for over two decades. In their tribute, TV Asahi emphasized their gratitude for Oyama’s incredible achievements and expressed their heartfelt prayers for her to rest in peace.
Her work in Doraemon continues to resonate with fans globally, making her one of the most iconic voices in anime history.
Jun Mayuzuki’s manga Kowloon Generic Romance is set to receive both a TV anime and live-action movie adaptation, with both scheduled to premiere in 2025.
This is an exciting development for fans of Mayuzuki, who is also known for her previous work After the Rain.
In the anime adaptation, Haruka Shiraishi will be lending her voice to the character Reiko Kujirai, while Tomokazu Sugita will voice Hajime Kudo.
Meanwhile, in the live-action movie, Riho Yoshioka will portray Reiko, and Koshi Mizukami will take on the role of Hajime.
Fans have also been treated to character visuals, with the actors recreating the same poses from the anime.
The manga Kowloon Generic Romance started in 2019 and has been running in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump, with 9 volumes released so far.
The story takes place in Kowloon Walled City, a nostalgic and dystopian setting where different timelines seem to meet, blending the past, present, and future.
Kowloon Generic Romance (EMOTION Label Channel)
In this unique backdrop, the plot follows Reiko Kujirai, a real estate agent whose daily life starts to unfold into an emotional romance that feels strangely familiar, much like the city itself.
The manga has attracted a solid following for its intriguing mix of mystery, romance, and the atmospheric depiction of the city.
The manga’s English translation is licensed by Yen Press, giving it a broader audience outside Japan.
Readers are amazed by how Kowloon Walled City serves as a reflection of the characters’ emotions, making the setting almost like a character in its own right.
The story intertwines the lives of the people who live and work there, showing hidden feelings and personal journeys in a place where time seems to overlap.
Jun Mayuzuki expressed her excitement about the upcoming adaptations, saying that many of the cast and staff members were already fans of the original work.
She feels incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated team working on the project and is thankful for the support the series continues to receive.
Fans are eagerly awaiting both the anime and live-action adaptations to see how this unique and atmospheric story will be brought to life.
