Doraemon voice actor Nobuyo Oyama passes away aged 90

Doraemon voice actor Nobuyo Oyama passes away aged 90
Doraemon voice actor Nobuyo Oyama passes away aged 90 (Image via Shin-Ei Animation, Actors Seven)

On Friday, October 11, 2024, the talent agency Actors Seven announced the passing of Doraemon and Danganronpa voice actor Nobuyo Ōyama. She passed away on Sunday, September 29, at the age of 90 due to senility. She had been suffering from dementia since 2012.

Nobuyo Ōyama was born on October 16, 1933, in Tokyo. She attended an acting school and debuted in an NHK drama in 1956. A year later, in 1957, she made her debut as a voice actress. However, it was not until 1979 that she received her most iconic role as the titular character in Doraemon anime. She has voiced the character for 26 years.


Doraemon voice actor Nobuyo Oyama suffered from dementia

On Friday, October 11, 2024, Actors Seven announced the passing of voice actor Nobuyo Ōyama, best known for her role as Doraemon. Originally called Nobuyo Yamashita, she passed away on Sunday, September 29, at age 90 due to senility.

As revealed by her husband Keisuke Sagawa on a radio show in 2015, Nobuyo Ōyama had been suffering from dementia since 2012. The voice actor herself believed that the symptoms were just after-effects of the ailment she received as part of her cerebral infarction treatment in 2008.

Monokuma as seen in Danganronpa: The Animation (Image via Lerche)
Monokuma as seen in Danganronpa: The Animation (Image via Lerche)

Nobuyo Ōyama continued working as a voice actor for some time before she had to put all of her projects on hold indefinitely. This decision prevented her from reprising the role of Monokuma in Danganronpa projects. The role was later assumed by Tarako, who voiced the character until her death in March 2024.

As for Nobuyo, she started living at a retirement home starting in 2016. A year later, after her husband passed away, her long-time manager Akiko Kobayashi continued visiting her. While her dementia progressed, she was in good health at the end of her life, even interacting with the other residents and partaking in activities such as choir.


Nobuyo Ōyama's VA roles in anime

Doraemon as seen in the anime series (Image via Shin-Ei Animation)
Doraemon as seen in the anime series (Image via Shin-Ei Animation)

Nobuyo Ōyama voiced the titular character of Doraemon in television anime and movies for 26 years, from 1979 to 2005. Before that, she voiced the roles of Punch in Hustle Punch, Katsuo Isono in Sazae-san, Norakuro in Norakuro, and Kappei Jin in Invincible Superman Zanbot 3.

As for Nobuyo Ōyama's later years, she voiced the roles of Monokuma in Danganronpa: The Animation and Minota in Oniku Daisuki! Zeushi-kun.


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Edited by Gokul Chettiyar
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