One True Seiyuu

A seiyū, seiyuu or seiyu (声優, seiyū, seiyuu) is a Japanese voice actor. Seiyū work in radio, television and movies, perform voice-overs for non-Japanese movies, provide narration, and work as anime and video game character actors. Conventional usage among American fans is to use "seiyū" to refer to the Japanese actor and "voice actor" when speaking of a character actor in a series translated into English.

Japan currently produces 70% of the animated series in the world. Because the animation industry in Japan is so prolific, seiyū are able to achieve fame on a national level and are able to have full time careers performing voice overs.

Source: Wikipedia.com


Now many people don't know who many seiyuu are, but you must remember one. Megumi Hayashibara - as of February 2007, Hayashibara is the most prolific female seiyū with 194 credits to her name.

Now stop and think about that for a moment.
194.
Yeah, I know...

Here, have a list.
Voice Credits

Some of her more well known roles are Rei Ayanami (Evangelion), Nuku Nuku (Cat Girl Nuku Nuku), Lina Inverse (Slayers), Tira Misu (Sorcerer Hunters) and Haruka (Love Hina). You know, all of those shows that give you the warm fuzzies when you're filling your anime top tens. This woman has staying power, as well as one of the most recognised voices in anime in the past decade or so.

In addition to voicing anime, game and drama roles, she also has released solo cds, has had a few radio shows, has written several books and currently writes articles for Newtype Japan.
oh.
She's also a registered nurse. Just in case the VA job didn't work out...0_o;

Do you now understand the massive skills she has? I certainly hope so.

Here's a video tribute (that I did not make) showcasing some of her roles and songs. It's a bit Slayers heavy, but if I made it, it'd be Sorcerer Hunters heavy. Everyone has a favorite.


People may say that she's old news, but she is one of the main voice actors in Satoshi Kon's new movie, Paprika. (Which looks to be outstanding by the way)

Paprika hits American theaters May 25, 2007

And just because I can, here's a video of her singing the Love Hina theme song, Sakura Saku