A Look Back at Megumi Hayashibara's 33-Year Legacy as Hello Kitty's Voice Actor

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Megumi Hayashibara has announced that she is stepping down from her role as the voice of Hello Kitty after 33 years, one year before the character's 50th anniversary.

Hayashibara views this announcement positively and compares it to a graduation, experiencing no feelings of sadness or regret.

In addition to her work on Hello Kitty, Hayashibara has had a successful career as a voice actress, having played notable roles in popular series such as Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop.

Megumi Hayashibara auditioned for the role of Hello Kitty in 1990, and over the course of 33 years, she provided her voice for various Hello Kitty anime series, OVAs, and films. However, on the eve of Hello Kitty's birthday, Hayashibara announced her departure from the role after three decades, just one year before the character's 50th anniversary. She made the announcement on her social media accounts and blog, stating that she is "graduating" from the role. Hayashibara is not the only voice actor leaving the franchise, as Miina Tominaga and Go Takahashi, who voiced Kitty-chan's twin sister and Hello Kitty's boyfriend, respectively, are also moving on.

While Hello Kitty fans may feel bittersweet about this news, Hayashibara herself views it as a positive step. In her blog post on Ameba, she expresses no sadness or regrets about stepping down and likens it to a graduation. She compares the feeling to that of a family bidding farewell to their daughter as she embarks on a new journey in her married life. It is uncertain what the future holds for Hayashibara in the world of anime and voice acting, but one thing remains certain: she will always be remembered as one of the best in her field.

Megumi Hayashibara Takes Hello Kitty Role in 1990

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While many fell in love with Hayashibara's voice over the past 33 years, she was not the first to lend her talent to the beloved Hello Kitty character. That credit goes to Fuyumi Shiraishi, who voiced Hello Kitty in a short animated film called Kitty, Mimi, and the New Umbrella in 1981. After eight years, Shiraishi stepped away from the role, creating an opportunity for the Sanrio company to find a new voice. In 1989, auditions were held, and Hayashibara successfully secured the role, becoming the second voice behind Hello Kitty's ribbon-wearing feline. This decision was pivotal for Sanrio as they were about to open their Tokyo-based Sanrio theme park in 1990, which required Hello Kitty's voice for various attractions.

Throughout her impressive 33-year career, Hayashibara has become the cherished voice for both children and adults. Although she began her career in 1971 with a role in Tensai Bakabon, it was in the mid-1980s that Hayashibara's career truly took off. Securing notable roles, such as Ume from the Project A-ko series, allowed her to showcase extraordinary abilities. However, her greatest commercial success came from the Kitizu paradaisu series, which aired from 1993 to 2011 and captivated audiences with only 32 episodes.

Countless OVAs, anime short films, and feature films alike, Hayashibara achieved instant fame with her role as Hello Kitty. This not only made her a household name but also established her as one of the most exceptional voice actresses of her time. Known for her professionalism and the ability to effortlessly portray various styles, she quickly became a highly sought-after voice actress, securing roles in notable theatrical releases such as Pokemon: The First Movie. Additionally, she made memorable guest appearances in popular anime series like Dragon Ball Z. Simultaneously, as Hayashibara lent her voice to Sanrio's beloved mascot character, she also gained recognition for her portrayals in series that have been acclaimed as some of the finest Japanese media ever released.

Hayashibara's Other Notable Roles

Being a member of various successful anime series, she also lends her voice to video game adaptations. In 1990, she provided her voice for the character Ranma Saotome Female in the Super Famicom game Ranma ½, which is a fighting-style game. She continued to reprise this role in the seven subsequent games of the series. However, her breakthrough came when she joined forces with The Pokemon Company, where she obtained a minor role as the voice of Dratini in the Nintendo 64 game Pokemon Snap. Despite the role appearing small, it paved the way for greater opportunities. Hayashibara went on to voice numerous Pokemon characters in games such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl and the mobile game Pokemon Masters EX.

Hello Kitty may enjoy unrivaled commercial success, but Hayashibara has lent her voice to numerous other iconic characters in popular culture. One notable role was her portrayal of Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion, a beloved anime series among enthusiasts. Hayashibara also voiced the characters Yui Ikari and Pen Pen in the same series, although their roles were comparatively minor. Another significant role came in 1998 when she voiced Faye Valentine, the female lead in the highly acclaimed 24-episode series Cowboy Bebop, which garnered widespread popularity. It is worth mentioning that both series had video game adaptations, all of which Hayashibara contributed to.

In 2023, Hayashibara took on seven new roles, one of them being the Pokemon Sprigatito in the upcoming Pokemon Horizons series. As she bids farewell to her iconic role as Hello Kitty, Hayashibara's career continues to flourish and evolve, presenting new opportunities for her to showcase her talent.

Editor's P/S

Megumi Hayashibara's departure from her role as Hello Kitty's voice actress marks the end of an era. Her 33-year tenure has left an indelible mark on the character and the anime industry as a whole. Hayashibara's portrayal of Hello Kitty was universally beloved, and her voice became synonymous with the character. Her ability to capture Hello Kitty's innocence, kindness, and playfulness was truly remarkable, and she brought the character to life in a way that no one else could.

Hayashibara's decision to step down from the role is bittersweet for fans, but it is also understandable. After three decades, it is time for her to move on to new challenges and explore other opportunities. Her legacy as Hello Kitty's voice actress will never be forgotten, and she will always be remembered as one of the most iconic voice actresses in anime history.