Voice Actress Atsuko Tanaka Dies at 61

by Vindstot
Aug 20, 5:17 PM | 71 Comments

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.

Her other notable role include Konan in Naruto, Caster in Fate/stay night, Lisa Lisa in JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure), Karura in Utawarerumono, and Flamme in Sousou no Frieren (Frieren: Beyond Journey's End).

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.

Source: Oricon News, Sankei Shimbun

Seiyuu Life Event

20 of 71 Comments Recent Comments

Farewell, Major.

Sep 14, 10:28 PM by TBSM

Konan 💜
#1 voice for badass anime milfs. RIP

Aug 30, 8:55 AM by RenaPsychoKiller

.. rest in peace lady 💓

Aug 26, 6:32 PM by Roktim583A

Rest In Peace, Atsuko Tanaka.

Your works in THE iDOLM@STER franchise as Mishiro in Cinderella Girls, will not be forgotten. Also in other anime such as Lisa Lisa from JoJo, Bayonetta video game, Flamme in Souzou no Frieren, Hood from Azur Lane, and many others.

Aug 25, 9:36 PM by HadyReyadh

She will be missed and RIP.

Aug 25, 12:41 PM by dhell26

Her and only a few weeks ago Rachael Lillis, this has been a very depressing month 😢

Rest In Peace and thanks for everything

Aug 23, 10:37 PM by Rogersss

Who'll voice Motoko in the remake now :)

Aug 23, 8:59 PM by ArimaKana

Sad to see another legendary voice actress pass away... She has been one of my favourites ever since the first time I saw GitS, and her charismatic voice was always instantly recognizable in games and anime. Despite her age she was still very active it seems, and I remember hearing her in Frieren and the latest Kuroshitsuji season just a few weeks ago. When it comes to her game roles I'll always associate Ultimecia and Bayonetta with her.

Aug 23, 1:57 PM by Orochiro

Ghost in the Shell is one of my favourite anime show/film and I am really shocked to hear about this devastating news. Rest in peace😢

Aug 23, 11:53 AM by tasha90

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Aug 23, 6:21 AM by bizarreman

Ghost in the Shell has been one of my all-time favorites, and her portrayal of Major Kusanagi was a huge part of that.
This is a gif of one of the many clips I've watched hundreds of times, my condolences.

Aug 23, 3:56 AM by Hikinekomori

Wow, and I had just seen GitS a few weeks ago... rest in peace

Aug 22, 3:11 PM by Fario-P

My Condolences to Atsuko Tanaka

Aug 22, 1:02 PM by Akiko_Yosano

Very sad, but that is life. Her voice will live on!
Rest In Peace.

Aug 22, 11:12 AM by X5452

Rest in peace, Atsuko.

Aug 22, 10:21 AM by NewburyVillage

Rest in peace Major

Aug 22, 8:52 AM by Ishitateso

Man... I don't believe it... She's left us too soon. Her voice is beyond special and always brings a unique charm to her characters. The industry would not be be the same without her voice. She's left a great legacy for us all to appreciate. May she rest in peace.

Aug 22, 8:35 AM by Attackonfiller

In my older age with the different lifestyle, I always find out someone's passing from something random. In this instance it was the Frieren Special MV.

Atsuko Tanaka (Major) may you Rest In Peace.

I personally remember the first role I heard her was as "Motoko Kusanagi" in "Ghost in the Shell" back in the early 2000's. She was another Seiyuu along with many others that introduced me of what a character could sound like, and I thank her for that.

Aug 22, 3:59 AM by Reg-Abyss

Iconic voice and personality in the medium, she will definitely be missed. Please rest in peace and thank you very much for all the work over the years!

My condolences to her family and colleagues.

Aug 22, 1:30 AM by _MushiRock11_

She voiced the second best girl in Fate/Stay Night, Medea. Unfortunate as her voice is distinct and not easily replaceable.

Aug 21, 8:19 PM by LeonhartAugust

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