Japanese actor, voice of Japan’s beloved robot cat ‘Doraemon’, dies at 90
Nobuyo Oyama, the Japanese actor who voiced the beloved cartoon cat robot “Doraemon,” has died. Doraemon is one of the longest-running Japanese anime series, still airing and popular throughout Asia and beyond.
A Japanese actor who was the voice of “Doraemon,” the cartoon cat robot beloved by children in Japan and other countries, has died, his agency said Friday. Nobuyo Oyama was 90 years old.
For a quarter century until 2005, Oyama provided the titular blue cat with his lovable raspy voice to the 22nd century with a supply of imaginary gadgets, including his “magic pocket” and a door that lets you travel anywhere.
“He died on September 29 due to old age,” his talent agency told AFP, adding that close relatives attended his funeral.
“Doraemon” still airs as one of the longest-running Japanese anime series, popular throughout Asia and in far-flung regions.
While Oyama’s successor has played the role for nearly two decades, his voice remains the definitive voice of Robot for many who grew up hearing it.
In “Doraemon”, the lovable robot cat with his giant smile travels back in time to help a lazy schoolboy named Nobita overcome the difficulties of everyday life.
Artist Fujiko F. Created by Fujio, the character first appeared in manga strips in 1969, making the transition to the small and big screens over the following decades.
