Legendary Doraemon Voice Actress Nobuyo Oyama Passes Away At 90 Years Old

Legendary Doraemon Voice Actress Nobuyo Oyama Passes Away At 90 Years Old

Key Takeaways

  • Nobuyo Oyama, the voice of Doraemon, passed away at 90 due to natural causes, leaving a significant legacy.
  • Doraemon, a long-running slice of life anime, has over a thousand episodes and is a cultural icon.
  • Started in 1969, Doraemon manga sold over 100 million copies, with the anime airing in more than fifty countries.

As a lifelong fan of anime and a connoisseur of Japanese culture, I have to say that the news of Nobuyo Oyama’s passing has left me with a heavy heart. This legendary voice actress brought life to one of my childhood heroes – Doraemon. Her contribution to the world of animation is immeasurable, and her impact on millions of fans across the globe can never be understated.


Doraemon stands as one of the most recognized anime characters ever created, having been part of countless lives for an impressive number of episodes exceeding a thousand. This timeless slice-of-life series has managed to run continuously for years, earning it a spot among the longest-lasting anime productions. Consequently, Doraemon’s endearing presence leaves an indelible mark on the annals of anime history.

For nearly decades, Nobuyo Oyama lent her voice to a beloved character. Sadly, it was announced on October 11, 2024, that Oyama had passed away at the age of 90 due to natural causes. Although she died on September 29, 2024, her management company held off on sharing the news until a week later. The loss of such an industry icon is always difficult to bear.

Nobuyo Oyama’s Journey As A Voice Actor

Nobuyo Oyama kicked off her voice acting career by playing Punch in the anime show Hustle Punch, which follows three animals living in a junkyard. Later, she landed a significant role as Katsuo Isono in Sazae-san. Over time, she took on various roles in additional series.

  • Norakuro from Norakuro
  • Top from Andersen Stories
  • Hazedon from Hazedon
  • Jin Kappei from Invincible Super Man Zambot 3

Lastly, it was in 1979 that she secured the position as the voice actress for Doraemon in the series Doraemon. She continued in this role until the anime concluded in 2005.

Nobuyo Oyama’s Other Roles

Over the course of her work as Doraemon’s voice actress, Nobuyo Oyama took part in more than ten films within the franchise. Additionally, she lent her voice to the character Monokuma, starting from 2010. As time went on, Nobuyo Oyama became closely associated with the role of Monokuma.

Doraemon is a popular manga series that was penned by Fujiko F. Fujio. It started getting published in 1969 and continued until 1997. The individual stories were compiled into a total of 45 books. In terms of sales, Doraemon has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, placing it among the top-selling manga series ever created.

Legendary Doraemon Voice Actress Nobuyo Oyama Passes Away At 90 Years Old

Doraemon first appeared as an anime in 1973. A second adaptation followed in 1979, running until 2005. Then, in 2005, there was a significant overhaul of the characters, voices, and most of the staff for a third iteration. This beloved series has been broadcast in more than fifty countries worldwide.

Beyond just anime versions, Doraemon boasts numerous films, video games, and offshoots. Given its widespread appeal, many of these productions have proven to be quite successful.

Stand by Me Doraemon is available to watch on Netflix.

Read More

2024-10-13 17:33