Yūko Mizutani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yūko Mizutani
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| 水谷優子 | |
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| Born | November 4, 1964 Ama District, Aichi, Japan
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| Died | May 17, 2016 (aged 51) Tokyo, Japan
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| Years active | 1985–2016 |
| Agent | Aoni Production |
| Height | 157 cm (5 ft 2 in) |
| Spouse(s) |
Mizuho Nishikubo
(m. 1994) |
Yūko Mizutani (水谷 優子, Mizutani Yūko, November 4, 1964 – May 17, 2016) was a Japanese actress and singer. She was also a famous voice actress and narrator. Yūko Mizutani was born in Ama District, Aichi, Japan.
She was well-known for giving her voice to many popular anime characters. Some of her most famous roles include Sakiko Sakura in Chibi Maruko-chan and Pinoko in Black Jack. She also voiced Mihoshi Kuramitsu in Tenchi Muyo! and Sora Takenouchi in Digimon Adventure.
Yūko Mizutani was also the official Japanese voice for Minnie Mouse. She voiced Minnie in the Kingdom Hearts video games and at the Tokyo Disney Resort. After she passed away, Aya Endō became the new Japanese voice for Minnie Mouse. Machiko Toyoshima took over as Sakiko Sakura in Chibi Maruko-chan.
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Her Career as a Voice Actress
Yūko Mizutani started her acting career in 1985. She first worked as an airfield announcer in the anime Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. She also appeared in TV dramas.
Her voice roles in Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos as Leina Stol and Zillion as Apple made her very popular. In 1988, she starred as Hiromi Oka in Aim for the Ace! 2.
From 1991, Mizutani became the official Japanese voice of Disney's Minnie Mouse. She voiced Minnie in cartoons, video games, and at the Tokyo Disney Resort. She also performed as Minnie Mouse in live shows and parades.
She voiced Sakiko Sakura in the anime series Chibi Maruko-chan from 1990 until her death. In 1993, she voiced Pinoko, a loyal character in Osamu Tezuka's Black Jack series. She continued this role in an anime series from 2004 to 2011. From 1995 to 1997, Mizutani voiced Mihoshi Kuramitsu in Tenchi Muyo!.
Her Personal Life
In November 1994, Yūko Mizutani married Mizuho Nishikubo.
Her Passing
Yūko Mizutani passed away on May 17, 2016. She was 51 years old. Her death was caused by breast cancer.
Selected Voice Roles
Yūko Mizutani voiced many characters throughout her career. Here are some of her notable roles.
Anime Television Series
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985–1986) – Sarah Zabiarov and Cheimin Noa
- Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos (1986–1987) – Leina Stōl
- Zillion (1987) – Apple
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990–1991) – Marie
- Chibi Maruko-chan (1990–2016) – Sakiko Sakura
- Tekkaman Blade (1992) – Miyuki Aiba/Tekkaman Rapier
- Tonde Burin (1994–1995) – Rikako Kokubu
- Tenchi Universe (1995) – Mihoshi Kuramitsu
- After War Gundam X (1996) – Carris Nautilus
- Digimon Adventure (1999–2000) – Sora Takenouchi
- Excel Saga (1999–2000) – The Great Will of the Macrocosm
- Digimon Adventure 02 (2000–2001) – Sora Takenouchi
- Hoshi no Kirby (2001–2003) – Memu (Lady Like)
- Black Jack (2004–2006) – Pinoko
- Super Robot Wars Original Generation: Divine Wars (2006–2007) – Excellen Browning
- Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal (2014–2016) – Ikuko Tsukino
Original Video Animations (OVAs)
- Bubblegum Crisis (1987–1991) – Anri
- Aim for the Ace! (1988–1989) – Hiromi Oka
- Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (1992) – Mihoshi Kuramitsu
- Black Jack (1993–2011) – Pinoko
Video Games
- Rockman X4 (1997) – Iris
- Kingdom Hearts series (2002-2016) – Minnie Mouse
- Project X Zone (2012) – Iris
Films
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988) – Ryoko-chan
- Tenchi Muyo in Love! (1996) – Mihoshi Kuramitsu
- Dōbutsu no Mori (2006) – Perimi/Phyllis
- Detective Conan: Full Score of Fear (2008) – Rara Chigusa
Dubbing Roles (Live-action)
Yūko Mizutani also voiced characters in the Japanese versions of foreign movies and TV shows.
- Sarah Michelle Gellar roles:
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Buffy Summers
- The Grudge – Karen Davis
- Meg Ryan roles:
- Sleepless in Seattle – Annie Reed
- You've Got Mail – Kathleen "Shopgirl" Kelly
- Jumanji – Judy Shepherd (Kirsten Dunst)
- Home Alone – Heather McCallister (Kristin Minter)
- True Lies – Dana Tasker (Eliza Dushku)
Dubbing Roles (Animation)
- Disney's House of Mouse – Minnie Mouse
- Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers – Minnie Mouse
- Peanuts – Pig-Pen, Violet Gray
- Tiny Toon Adventures – Sweetie Pie
