Nobuyo Oyama, the Japanese Voice of Doraemon, Dies at 90

Nobuyo Oyama, known for her distinctive alto voice and infectious laughter that brought the beloved character Doraemon to life for millions in Japan, passed away at a Tokyo hospital on Sept. 29. She was 90 years old.

She had suffered a stroke in 2008 and had been living with dementia since 2015. For around 25 years, she lent her voice to Doraemon, a character originating from a 1969 manga. The earless, blue, catlike robot from the future helps the protagonist Nobita Nobi with futuristic gadgets to overcome childhood challenges and assist his family. This friendship is central to the success of 'Doraemon,' one of the longest-running anime shows in Japan and internationally.

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