Noriko Ohara, the celebrated Japanese voice actress renowned for voicing Nobita in the long-running animated franchise Doraemon, has passed away at the age of 88. Her agency, 81 Produce, confirmed the sad news on Tuesday, July 23, through a statement on the company’s website.

“Our company’s actor, Noriko Ohara (real name Noriko Tobe), passed away on July 12, 2024, at the age of 88, after undergoing treatment for an illness that was ineffective. The funeral was held only with relatives, in accordance with the wishes of the family. 

“We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness shown to us during her lifetime and to inform you of her passing,” the statement read.

Ohara brought the lazy-yet-endearing Nobita to life in the Doraemon series from 1979 to 2005, making her rendition the one most familiar to fans worldwide. 

Her illustrious career, spanning over five decades, also included notable roles such as Peter in the classic animated series Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Claudia LaSalle in the Macross franchise.

In a 2017 interview with Cinema Today, Ohara reflected on the intensity of the recording process for Doraemon. 

“Everyone got along well. Working on Doraemon is like being an athlete…We recorded seven to eight episodes at a time, and Gian [the bully in Doraemon] was always chasing us. We had to build up our stamina.”

Noriko Ohara’s passing marks the end of an era for fans of her work, but her contributions to the world of anime will continue to be cherished by audiences around the globe.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin