[Sad news] Voice actor Nobuyo Oyama, who played the role of Doraemon for 26 years, passes away
It has been announced that voice actress Nobuyo Oyama, known for playing the role of Doraemon in the anime series 'Doraemon' that has been broadcast on TV Asahi since April 1979 for 26 years until March 2005, passed away on September 29, 2024 due to old age. She was 90 years old.
[Breaking News] Doraemon voice actor Nobuyo Oyama passes away | 47NEWS
Nobuyo Oyama passes away at age 90 'Doraemon' for 26 years...her achievements in supporting the early days of anime, including acting in 'Sazae-san' - Sponichi Annex Entertainment
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2024/10/11/kiji/20241011s00041000188000c.html
Nobuyo Oyama passes away. TV Asahi's first generation 'Doraemon' voice actor is 86 years old. Only one voice actor, Michiko Nomura, who played 'Shizuka-chan' is still alive. - Entertainment: Nikkan Sports
https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202410110000642.html
[Obituary] Voice actor Nobuyo Oyama (90), who played Doraemon, dies of old age, announced by her agency (October 11, 2024) - YouTube
Oyama was born on October 6, 1936 in Tokyo.
Although he had a unique voice since he was a child, he became silent when he was in junior high school because he was harassed with 'everyone would laugh at your voice'. However, with the support of his mother, he changed his attitude and became in charge of the school's internal broadcasting in the broadcasting club. After about a month, no one laughed at his voice.
In high school, he joined the drama club, but his mother died in his second year, and his father was against Oyama's pursuing a career in acting, so after graduating from high school, he joined the Haiyuza Theatre Company training school while living alone and working. In 1956, while still at the training school, he made his television debut as an actor in an NHK drama. In 1957, after graduating from the training school, he began voice work, dubbing the foreign drama 'Lassie.' Other voice work from this period includes the role of Ishida Kunimatsu, the protagonist in 'Harris's Whirlwind,' and the role of Isono Katsuo (first voice actor) in 'Sazae-san.' In dubbing, he was often in charge of voices other than female voices.
However, Oyama took a break from voice acting for a while, because ' as the style of animation changed, there were more and more works that I didn't like .'
Director Yoshiyuki Tomino (written as Yoshiyuki Tomino at the time) of 'Zambot 3' told Sponichi that when Oyama came to audition for the role of Kami Katsuhira, the main character of 'Invincible Super Man Zambot 3,' it had been a while since he last worked on anime, but 'I thought this was the one, so I gave the OK,' he said.
Oyama to star in 'Zambot 3' 'Gundam' director Tomino: 'He had a strong voice and a wide range of acting' - Sponichi Annex Entertainment
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2024/10/12/kiji/20241011s000413H4416000c.html
[Episode 1] Invincible Superman Zambot 3 [Sanchan] - YouTube
One year after the end of 'Zambot 3,' Oyama had a fateful encounter with 'Doraemon.'
Before being broadcast on TV Asahi, the anime 'Doraemon' was broadcast on Nippon Television for six months from April 1973. The original Doraemon was played by Kosei Tomita, known for his role as Higeoyaji in 'Jungle Emperor Leo'. After three months, he was replaced by Masako Nozawa, known for his role as Son Goku in 'Dragon Ball'. Oyama is the third Doraemon to play the role.
The self-introduction of Doraemon, played by Oyama, 'Hello, I'm Doraemon,' was an idea conceived by Oyama and does not appear in the original manga. It was later used in the title of his autobiography, 'I was Doraemon.'
Amazon.co.jp: I was Doraemon. (Shogakukan Bunko O 33-1): Nobuyo Oyama: Books
In 2001, Oyama was diagnosed with rectal cancer and left all his work except for 'Doraemon'. Although he continued to play the role of Doraemon, he decided to step down at this point, and after a long discussion with the staff, he left the show in March 2005 along with the main cast members Noriko Obara, Michiko Nomura, Kaneta Kimotsuki, and Kazuya Tatekabe. Since April 2005, Wasabi Mizuta has been playing the role of Doraemon as the fourth generation.
[Doraemon Masterpiece] From the Future Country (Official) - YouTube
After playing Doraemon, he is known for his role as Monokuma in the 'Danganronpa' series.
PSP Super Danganronpa 2 Goodbye Despair Academy TVCM 30 second ver. - YouTube
He was also known as a master of the game 'Arkanoid' (a block-breaking game).
In 2015, Oyama's husband, Keisuke Sunagawa, announced that Oyama had Alzheimer's disease, and in 2016, he stepped down from his role as Monokuma in 'Danganronpa'. Since then, he has been living in a nursing home. Sunagawa, who was caring for Oyama, passed away on July 11, 2017 due to ureteral cancer.
In addition, 'Super Robot Wars 4 S', the PlayStation port of the game 'Super Robot Wars 4' in which 'Muteki Chojin Zambot 3' appears, was the first in the 'SRW' series to have voice-recorded lines during battles, but Oyama did not appear, and from 'Super Robot Wars IMPACT' onwards, Chinatsu Sakamoto took over the role of Katsuhira. Regarding this matter, Takanobu Terada, producer of the work, revealed that although he had offered Oyama the role, he declined after being given an explanation for the reason.
I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Nobuyo Oyama. During the 4th Super Robot Wars S, she was offered the role of Katsuhira Kami from Zambot 3, but she kindly declined after explaining the reason. I am not sure if it is okay to reveal the reason here, so I will keep it a secret, but personally I was convinced and her feelings towards Katsuhira...
— Takanobu Terada (@TakanobuTerada) October 11, 2024
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