Tarako


Tarako was a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer. Her debut role was as a preschooler on Urusei Yatsura. She was better known as the voice of Momoko "Maruko" Sakura, the titular character in the long-running anime series Chibi Maruko-chan from its debut in 1990 until its conclusion in 1992 and its subsequent revival, which premiered in 1995 and continues to air as of today. She was employed by the talent management firm Troubadour Musique Office.
Following her death in March 2024, Kokoro Kikuchi took over the role of Maruko in Chibi Maruko-chan after the show resumed from its month-long hiatus on April 21 of that year.
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Death

Around November 2023, Tarako was diagnosed with a serious illness for which she was immediately hospitalized. At the beginning of her hospital stay, she was still well enough to continue voice acting. However, her condition gradually worsened to the point where she could no longer stand and she showed no sign of improvement.
Tarako died on March 4, 2024, at the age of 63. She had recorded her final lines for Chibi Maruko-Chan in the days just before her death.
The producers of Chibi Maruko-chan, as well as her talent agency Troubadour, Fuji Television and Nippon Animation announced her death to the public five days later on March 9, 2024.
In a eulogy written by the staff of Chibi Maruko-chan, they said that she had been eager to continue voicing her character Maruko while in the hospital and continued through her illness with "great love" for her work. The following day a message board was put up at the entrance to Chibi-Maruko Chan Land in Shizuoka for guests and fans to contribute messages of commemoration and thanks for her years of work.
The last episode Tarako recorded as Maruko aired as a one-hour special on March 24, 2024, on Fuji TV and other FNS stations.

Filmography

Animation

Television

Fushigi na Koala Blinky Anpanman Chibi Maruko-chan Coji-Coji Combat Mecha Xabungle Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School Ganbare, Kickers! Hunter × Hunter (1999) Kaiju No. 8 Kimba the White Lion Kindaichi Case Files Magical Taruruto-kun Meitantei Kageman Mikan Enikki Mushiking: King of the Beetles NG Knight Ramune & 40 Nichijou Noir Patlabor: The TV Series Pluster World Trigun Stampede Urusei Yatsura VS Knight Ramune & 40 Fire Urusei Yatsura (2022)
  • ''Kaiju No. 8''

Original video animation (OVA)

Hunter × Hunter OVA NG Kishi Ramune & 40 DX
  • ''NG Kishi Ramune & 40 EX''

Films

Castle in the Sky My Neighbor Totoro Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind They Were 11 Xabungle Graffiti

Commercials

Drama CDs

Eiyū Densetsu III: Shiroki Majo "Wakatareta Mizuumi" Kaze no Densetsu Xanadu II: Heroine-tachi no Tanjōbi Popful Mail Paradise 4–5 Tarako Pappara Paradise (Tarako-neesan, Kururu, Nairu, Ban Ban, Obāsan

Live action

Films

Video games

2nd Super Robot Wars Z: Hakai-Hen Chibi Maruko-chan: Maruko Deluxe Quiz Chibi Maruko-chan: Mezase! Minami no Island!! Chibi Maruko-chan no Taisen Puzzle Dama Chibi Maruko-chan: Maruko Enikki World Chibi Maruko-chan DS Maru-chan no Machi Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony Inuyasha Magical★Taruruto-kun Momotarō Dōchūki One Piece: Unlimited World Red Sakura Momoko Gekijō Koji Koji Super Bomberman: Panic Bomber WSuper Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden Super Robot Wars NEO Super Robot Wars OE: Operation Extend Super Robot Wars Z Tail Concerto

Radio

  • ''Tarako Falcom Pīhyarara''

Other voiceover

Fuji TVThe Judge! Tokusuru Hōritsu File "Korette Tsumi Janai no" segment Naruhodo! The World Quiz & Game Tarō to Hanako
NHK EducationalOkome
TBSShiawase Kazoku Keikaku
TV AsahiZenigata Kintarō
OtherChibi Maruko-chan

Discography

Listed chronologically.

Albums

Totte Oki no Shunkan Kaze ga Chigau Warawanai Koibito Kokuhaku Sukoshi Dake Ai ga Tarinai Anata ga Daisuki Kanojo My dear Tengoku yori Takai Toko Ikō yo
  • ''Wāi.''