"I'm Doraemon": Voice Legend Nobuyo Oyama Passes At Age 90

On the morning of Oct. 11th, 2024, the Japanese voice-acting legend, Nobuyo Oyama’s agency announced her passing. As one of Toei’s longest-running voice staff, she will be remembered as the friendly blue cat, Doraemon.

Photo byJerz KingonUnsplash

Nobuyo Oyama’s Training

In Oyama’s early adulthood, she wanted to become an actress. At the time, her last name was Yamashita while training at the Haiyuza Acting School. Japan first watched her perform on the televised hit drama Konohitomi in 1956. Oyama would not find her passion for voice acting until joining the dubbing cast for Sazae-san. She provided the young boy voice for Katsuo Isono.

Becoming Doraemon

Oyama soon met the height of her fame after auditioning for Fujiko F. Fujio’s Doraemon. She voiced the robotic cat in the first series its premiere on TV Asashi in 1979. Her voice for Doraemon made him the beloved character he is today. She gave him his identity as a friendly robotic cat who can be adorable and somewhat cranky.

Because of his kind nature towards children, Doraemon became one of Japan’s memorable cartoon mascots. He took children out on unexpected adventures that often led to chaos. Doraemon is also responsible for popularizing dorayaki, a Japanese pancake-sandwich dessert. Oyama voiced the famous blue cat until retiring from her role in 2005. Wasabi Mizuta would pick up her role for the show while Oyama was reserved to voice in Doraemon’s films. A year later, she released her autobiography, Boku Doraemon meaning “I’m Doraemon.”

Nobuyo Oyama’s Cookbook

In 2007, Oyama showed her passion for cooking and appeared on various Japanese cooking shows. After becoming the principal of a voice acting school, she and her late husband, actor Keisuke Sagawa shared an interest in cuisine. The couple later published the cookbook called Keisuke-Nobuyo no Omoshiro Sozai (Keiskue-Nobuyo’s Side Dish). It grew into one of Tokyo’s bestsellers until Sagawa passed away in 2017.

The Mischievous Monokuma

Nobuyo Oyama returned to voice acting in the isolated high school murder series, Danganronpa. Oyama entered the world of video games as the sinister Monokuma. His half-white, half-black appearance represents two sides of him. White is for the seemingly innocent and black is for the malicious intent. Oyama explored a more devious role compared to Doraemon. A bear who enjoys despairs over the lingering glimpse of hope.

She gave him his signature maniacal laughter, “Upupupupu.” Oyama didn’t hold back her performance when it came to Danganronpa’s anime adaptation. Monokuma showed how ruthless he can be to the Hope’s Peak Academy students. Not only did he want justice for those who fell for his incentives but also violently executed them. She voiced Monokuma from 2012 for Trigger Happy Havoc to Ultra Despair Girls in 2015. At the time, Sagawa announced to the public that his wife was suffering from dementia.

A Voice For Generations

Jiji Press reported Nobuyo Oyama sadly passed away in her care facility on Sept. 29th. Her voice will be remembered as the blue cat named Doraemon. To gamers, she is Monokuma, the bear who loved despair to the very end. She lived a long happy life entertaining viewers with her voice and personality. Oyama was 90 years old and is honored by fans who watched her from their childhood and adulthood.

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This article was originally written by Sema Chin.