It was announced today that Atsuko Tanaka has sadly passed away.
The legendary Japanese voice actress was only 61 years old.
The news came via her son, Hikaru Tanaka’s, post on X / Twitter confirming she died earlier today, August 20.
According to the voice actor who followed in his mother’s footsteps, Tanaka battled an undisclosed illness for over a year before succumbing to it though she fought the sickness with “grace, humor and strength.”
“On behalf of Atsuko Tanaka, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the fans who loved her and everyone in the industry who helped her during her lifetime,” Tanaka wrote in part.
Fighting game fans have been hearing Atsuko’s voice for years without maybe even realizing it considering she was credited for the voice of Chun-Li in Street Fighter 3: Third Strike, which she then reprised for Namco X Capcom in 2005.
She would then go on to voice Poison technically too starting in 3S and continue to play the former Final Fight baddy in Street Fighter X Tekken, Ultra Street Fighter 4 and Street Fighter 5.
Plus, she’s also listed as the uncredited voice actor for Ruby Heart in Marvel vs. Capcom 2.
いつもお世話になっている皆様へ pic.twitter.com/rfzWhMbsIl
— 田中 光（Hikaru Tanaka） (@HikaruTanaka_va) August 20, 2024
Tanaka’s most famous role was arguably as Major Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, and she also provided the Japanese voice for Bayonetta in all of her appearances to this point including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
You may recognize her as well for being Hanami in Jujutsu Kaisen, Konan in Naruto, Trish in Devil May Cry plus Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Lisa Lisa in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Kaine in NieR among her dozens of roles spanning 30 years.
Tanaka was famous for her considerable acting range being able to come across as incredibly serious to flirtatiously sultry and everywhere in between.
Although there is now a gap in the industry and the lives of those she left behind, her legacy will carry on and stand the test of time.
EventHubs extends our sincere condolences to Tanaka’s family, friends and dedicated fans in this tragic period.
“I am truly blessed to have such a great mother,” wrote Hikaru. “Last but not least, please don’t forget the works that Atsuko Tanaka has been involved in, the characters that she poured her love into and the voice actress that was Atsuko Tanaka.”