The anime world is once again grieving. Over a week after Rachael Lillis's death, the industry has once again lost another great talent. Atsuko Tana, one of the most famous voice actresses in Japan known for her roles as Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell and Hanami in Jujutsu Kaisen, died today, August 20, due to an undisclosed illness. She was 61 years old.
In a post on X, Atsuko’s son and fellow voice actor Hikaru Tanaka announced the news of his mother’s passing. As translated by CBR, Hikaru expressed his deepest gratitude to everyone who loved Atsuko and to the people in the industry who took care of her during her lifetime. The young Tanaka found it unfortunate to announce their relationship this way but chose not to reveal the mysterious illness that cost Atsuko’s life.
“Due to her wishes, we will not reveal the specific name of the disease, but including her year-long battle with illness, I think she lived a life that was typical of Tanaka, serious, dignified, and a little playful,” he wrote.
Hikaru continued that he was proud to have a mom like Atsuko and asked everyone not to forget her work, the characters she brought to life, and the voice actress she was. “With love to a respected actress/voice actress and a beloved mother,” he ended his note.
Who was Atsuko Tanaka?
A veteran voice actress, Atsuko was also known as a narrator. She started her career in 1985 and appeared in some famous anime series, films, and video games. In 2012, a Biglobe poll named her the Voice Actress with the Sexiest Voice.
In addition to Motoko and Hanami, she also voiced Konan in Naruto, Caster in Fate/Stay Night, Lisa Lisa in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Claudette in Queen’s Blade, Francis Midford in Black Butler, Karura in Utawarerumono, Bayonetta in the Bayonetta series, and Kyrie Ushiromiya in Umineko no Naku Koro ni. Her most recent voice acting roles were as Flamme in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Omurasaki no Omae in the ongoing YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master.
Outside of anime, she dubbed numerous roles for Hollywood stars like Nicole Kidman, Rachel Weisz, and Jennifer Lopez. She played the Japanese dub voice of Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, Pepper Potts from Iron Man and Iron Man 2, Evelyn Carnahan from The Mummy, and Samantha from The Mexican, among many others. Her posthumous final role was as Violetta Noire in the 2025 #Compass 2.0: Combat Providence Analysis System.
After nearly four decades in the business, Atsuko left a legacy no one could surpass. Truly, no one could forget a golden voice like hers after she brought to life some of the most beloved characters known today.
