Voice Actress Toshiko Fujita Dies After Fight With Cancer
The Japanese web site Oricon has reported that voice actress Toshiko Fujita has passed away after a battle with invasive breast cancer. She was 68 years old.
Born in Dalian, Liaoning, China, Fujita began her career at age six, performing as a radio and television actress, singer, and comedian. In 1984, she received the first Grand Prix of Japan Anime for “Best Voice Actor”.
Fujita is probably best known for her role as Taichi Yagami in the Digimon Adventure franchise, which includes several television series, short films, and video games. She also voiced Dai in the Dragonquest series and short films, along with Rui Kisugi in Cat’s Eye. She also voiced Big Mom for the Fishman Island story arc in One Piece.
In addition to her work in anime, Fujita voiced the Japanese tracks for such films as Air Force One (playing Glenn Close’s Vice President Katherine Bennett), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (as Veronica Neary), and Shall We Dance? (covering for Susan Sarandon) along with TV shows Murphy Brown (for Candice Bergen) and Sabrina, The Teenage Witch (as Beth Broderick’s Aunt Zelda).
Aoni Production made the announcement, sharing also that a private memorial service will be held by the family.
