TOKYO—Nobuyo Oyama, a voice actress best known for playing the titular character in the popular Japanese anime series “Doraemon,” has died, her agency said Friday. She was 90.
A native of Tokyo, Oyama had a successful career as a voice actress after graduating from Haiyuza acting school.
She started off dubbing a foreign drama before branching into various anime roles, including providing the original voice for Katsuo Isono in “Sazae-san,” the world’s longest-running animated TV show.
But it was her portrayal of Doraemon, whom she played from 1979 to 2005 in the TV Asahi series, that was her most iconic role.
Praised by original creator Fujiko F. Fujio as “exactly how Doraemon should sound,” her famous line “Boku Doraemon” meaning “I’m Doraemon” was imitated by children across generations.
An autobiography published in 2006 titled “Boku Doraemon deshita” (I was Doraemon) drew much attention.
In addition to appearing in live action dramas and films, Oyama also served as the principal of a voice acting school in 2007 and frequently appeared on cooking shows.
A cookbook she coauthored with her late husband Keisuke Sagawa, an actor who passed away in 2017, became a bestseller.
Oyama died of natural causes on Sept. 29 at a hospital in Tokyo, her agency said.
“Ms. Nobuyo Oyama’s gentle and comforting voice touched the hearts of children around the world, delivering dreams and hope. We express our deep gratitude for her immense contributions and offer our sincere prayers that she will rest in peace,” the television network said in a statement.
In addition to battling colorectal cancer and a stroke, Oyama also revealed in 2015 that she was suffering from dementia.
Her costar Noriko Ohara, who voiced Nobita Nobi in the Doraemon series, died in July.
