The anime world is in mourning following the passing
of Emi Shinohara , the iconic
voice actress behind Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter in the
1990s anime series “ Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon. ” Her talent
agency, 81 Produce, was responsible for announcing her death through their
official website, reporting that Shinohara had been receiving treatment for an
unspecified illness. Sadly, this treatment was unsuccessful, and the actress
passed away on September 8, 2024, at the age of 61
（C）81PRODUCE Co.,Ltd.All Right Reserved.
Shinohara leaves behind an immense legacy in the anime
and entertainment industry, and is survived by her husband, Hiroshi Watari, who
is also a singer and voice actor. Although her best-known role was that
of Sailor Jupiter in the original Sailor Moon series and the films that
followed until 1997, her career was filled with memorable characters that left
their mark on several generations of anime fans.
In addition to her role as Sailor Jupiter, Shinohara
has voiced iconic characters such as :
- Kaho Mizuki in Cardcaptor Sakura (both the original series and the reboot
Clear Card).
- Uzumaki Kushina in Naruto Shippuden and the video games of the franchise.
- Aoki Shizuko in Smile Precure!.
Her versatility as a voice actress was not limited to
anime alone. She also worked in Japanese dubbing of Western productions,
bringing to life characters such as:
- Mathilda Lando (originally played by Natalie Portman) in Léon: The Professional.
- Anita Randazzo (Salma
Hayek) at 54.
- Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) in The Wizard of Oz.
- Perdita in the animated series 101 Dalmatians.
- April O'Neil in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Emi Shinohara’s passing has deeply touched her
colleagues and friends in the industry. Rika Fukami, who played Sailor Venus in
the Sailor Moon series, shared an emotional message on her social media:
“ My very dear, dear friend has passed away. She was full of energy
and hope until the very last moment. We were born on the same day. I will love
you forever .”
Sailor Moon fans and anime fans in general have also
taken to social media to express their sadness at the loss of one of the
industry's most beloved voice actresses. Shinohara, with
her signature style and energy, left an indelible mark on the hearts of those
who grew up with her characters.
Source: ComicNatalie
