It’s time to wish Happy Birthday to another legendary Japanese seiyuu. Today, Kotono Mitsuishi celebrates her 56th birthday, after an incredible career in which she voiced Sailor Moon, Misato Katsuragi, and many other popular characters. Let’s find out what her best role was in this post!
Kotono Mitsuishi was born on December 8, 1967 (which is Pearl Harbor Day in Japan). She grew up in Saitama and Chiba Prefecture, in the Tokyo Area. She wanted to become a nursery school teacher but was discouraged by how difficult it was to find work once Japan’s birth rate started its decline. Because she had always been a fan of radio dramas, she considered becoming a voice actor instead, so she enrolled in the Katsuta Voice Actor Academy.
Things started slowly at first, and Mitsuishi’s first professional work was making safety videos for a nuclear power plant in Hokkaido. She got some small roles, but her big break came with 1992’s Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon. It was her first starring role, and Kotoni put so much effort into her performance she had to be hospitalized. For this reason, another voice actor took over for her for parts of episodes 44-50 of the first series.
Just like her famous character Usagi, Kotono’s hobbies are “eating, sleeping, and playing video games.”
Let’s Explore Kotono Mitsuishi’s Best Performances
Let’s take a look at the long career of Kotono Mitsuishi and see her best voice roles!
Rabby from Gall Force. Let’s start off with one of the best series from the late 1980s, Gall Force. With characters by Ken’ichi Sonoda and lots of mecha, explosions, and cute girls, early anime fans couldn’t get enough of this series.
Excel from Excel Saga. Another important role was Excel Saga, directed by Shinichi Watanabe. Kotono Mitsuishi was perfect for this role.
Rinko Iori from Gundam Build Fighters. One of the best Mobile Suit Gundam series is Gundam Build Fighters, the only series set in our universe rather than fictional, futuristic alternate universes. And the best reason to watch the show is Reiji’s mother Rinko. Unfortunately, the Internet Gods have decided that there should be no examples of her voice on YouTube, so enjoy this image instead.
Nico Mama from Love Live: School Idol Project. If you need more proof that Konno Mitsuishi is great at playing MILF-tastic characters, she also performs as Nico’s mother in Love Live.
Ebichu from Oruchuban Ebichu. If you want to hear Sailor Moon’s voice actor say manko (pussy) a lot, then check out the hilarious Ebichu Minds the House. It’s the story of a hamster living with his owner and her no-good boyfriend. Ebichu usually makes witty comments while her owner and her boyfriend are having sex. The anime was made because, during the recording of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Kotono would amuse Gainax staff by reading from the Ebichu manga, causing lots of laughter.
What are some great “experimental” anime that all fans should check out? Here’s a blog post for you!
Hellscythe Eucliwood from Kore Wa Zombie Desu Ka? This one is kind of cheating. Hellscythe’s voice changes each episode, with her being played by 21 different seiyuu over both seasons and three OAVs.
Boa Hancock from One Piece. One reason people love Boa Hancock so much is the strong voice performance by Kotono Mitsuishi, which is always awesome to listen to.
Sailor Moon. Of course, Kotono Mitsuishi will forever be famous as the voice of Sailor Moon in both the original series and films, as well as the Sailor Moon Crystal reboot. With the recent Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Cosmos film, she has officially retired from this illustrious role.
Misato Katsuragi from Evangelion. Finally, another legendary role of Kotono Mitsuishi is Misato from Evangelion. One of the most fascinating and capable characters ever to appear in anime, she makes every scene she’s in even better.
Thanks for reading this blog post about the birthday of the famous seiyuu Kotono Mitsuishi. When did you encounter her voice as an anime fan? Tell us in the comments below!
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