As it is September 14th in Japan, we remember beloved
seiyu Miyu Matsuki on what would
have been her birthday. Born on September 14, 1977 in Hiroshima,
Matsuki was a renowned voice actress and singer in the anime industry, whose
brilliant career was sadly cut short by her untimely death on October 27, 2015
due to complications from a chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection,
which led to lymphoma.
Matsuki, whose real name was Mieko Matsuki, had a
successful career as a voice actress, having voiced iconic characters that left
their mark on the anime community. She was affiliated with the
agency 81 Produce, and over the years, her vocal versatility and talent led her
to be a prominent figure in numerous projects.
Among his most popular roles are:
- Yoshinoya-sensei in “Hidamari Sketch ,” where her portrayal
of the eccentric, art-loving teacher became a fan favorite.
- Isumi Saginomiya in “Hayate no Gotoku!” , the shy but
powerful exorcist who showed a more reserved and sweet side of the
actress.
- Anna Nishikinomiya in “SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of
Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist” , a character that contrasted with
other calmer roles, being a girl obsessed with love.
Matsuki was also set to voice Charlotte Dimandias in the anime “Hundred,” but sadly passed away before she could complete the project. Following her death, several voice actresses took over her pending roles, including Yui Horie, Yumi Kakazu, Reina Ueda, and Noriko Shitaya.
In July 2015, Matsuki announced that she would be
temporarily taking leave from her work due to acute pneumonia. However, what
initially seemed like a treatable condition led to a more serious diagnosis:
lymphoma caused by chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection. Despite
medical efforts, Miyu Matsuki passed away on October 27, 2015 in Tokyo, leaving
the anime industry and her fans devastated by her loss.
In her honor, a charity event titled “39! Miyu-chan”
was held at the Science Museum Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo on September 11, 2016. Organized by
her friends and colleagues, the event aimed to raise funds for CAEBV (chronic
active EBV infection) research and other related medical causes, ensuring that
her legacy would also include a contribution to the fight against the disease that
took her life.
Despite her early departure, Miyu Matsuki left an
indelible mark on the anime industry and the hearts of those who enjoyed her
work. On this day, we remember her not only for her talent as a voice
actress and singer, but also for the emotional impact she had on her fans and
colleagues. Her voice and presence in the anime industry will continue
to be remembered and cherished for a long time to come.
Source: Twitter
