Michiko Hirai (平井 道子, Hirai Michiko, September 9, 1935 – July 3, 1984[1]) was a Japanese actress and voice actress from Tokyo.[1] She worked for Theater Echo.[1] She is most known for originating the roles of Sally in Sally the Witch, Starsha in Star Blazers, and Ran in Ryu, the Cave Boy.
Life and career
She has been active as an NHK exclusive singer since the age of 10. After graduating from Ferris Women's Junior College in Music Department,[1] she was invited by Kazuo Kumakura to join Theater Echo in 1957.[4]
While she was acting for her theater company, she was also active as a voice actress dubbing Faye Dunaway[1] and the role of Sally Yumeno in the TV anime Sally the Witch among many.
She died at the age of 48 on July 3, 1984, at the Mishima Clinic in Koganei, Tokyo, due to heart failure.[3] Her last works were Mrs Dracula in Lupin the 3rd Part III which was broadcast 4 days after her death, and the historical drama Onna goroshi abura no jigoku which was broadcast 2 months after her death.
Notable roles
Anime
Andersen Stories as Ida (ep 3);[6] Ming Ming (ep 11–12);[7] Ball (ep 20);[8] Helga (ep. 22–23);[9] Little Mermaid (ep 31–33);[8] Marte (ep 48);[10] Evil Snow Queen (ep 50–51);[10] Anna's Mother (ep 52)[8]
