Japanese former actress, voice actress and singer (1960–2024)
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Tarako (たらこ, Tarako, December 17, 1960 – March 4, 2024)[1][2][3][4] was a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer. Her debut role was as a preschooler on Urusei Yatsura. She was better known as the voice of Momoko "Maruko" Sakura, the popular titular character in the long-running anime series Chibi Maruko-chan from its debut in 1990 until its conclusion in 1992 and its subsequent revival, which debuted in 1995 and continues to air as of today, before her eventual death in March 2024, during the second show's 30th year. She was employed by the talent management firm Troubadour Musique Office.[5][6]
Following her death, Kokoro Kikuchi took over the role of Maruko in Chibi Maruko-chan after the show resumed from its one month-long break on April 21st of that year.[7]
Death
Tarako died on March 4, 2024, at the age of 63.[3][4] Tarako continued voice acting while battling an illness but her condition worsened.[8]
Her death was announced by Fuji Television and Nippon Animation, the producers of Chibi Maruko-chan as well as her agency Troubadour five days later.[9][8] According to the show's staff in a euology, she was eager to continue voicing the character in the hospital ward until the very end and faced Chibi Maruko-Chan with great love.[9] The following day, a message board was placed up at Chibi-Maruko Chan Land in Shizuoka for guests to write messages to thank her with her contributions to the franchise.[10] Her last episode as Maruko aired as a one-hour special on March 24th of that year on Fuji TV and other FNS stations.[11]
