Atsuko Tanaka
Voice ActorAtsuko Tanaka was a Japanese voice actress renowned for playing Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, who also lent her voice to Slan in the 1997 Berserk anime and its Millennium Falcon film.
Berserk Role
Tanaka voiced Slan, one of the God Hand, in the original 1997 Berserk television series and carried the part into the Millennium Falcon Hen Seima Senki no Shō film. The role placed her among the earliest Japanese cast members to give voice to the series' central antagonists.
Career and Notable Roles
Affiliated with Mausu Promotion for most of her career, Tanaka became one of anime's most recognizable voices, playing the cyborg operative Kusanagi across the long-running Ghost in the Shell franchise. She also gave voice to Konan in Naruto, Lisa Lisa in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Bayonetta in her namesake game series, and Hanami in Jujutsu Kaisen, continuing to work up through a role in Genshin Impact before her death in August 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Atsuko Tanaka?
Tanaka died in August 2024, having remained active in the industry up to a role in Genshin Impact shortly before her death. Her career had spanned from 1980 to 2024.
Who did Atsuko Tanaka voice?
Tanaka is best known for voicing the cyborg operative Motoko Kusanagi across the long-running Ghost in the Shell franchise. It became the role most associated with her name in anime.
Who voices Bayonetta in Japanese?
Atsuko Tanaka voiced the title character in the Bayonetta game series. The role added to a resume built primarily on anime but extending into major video games.
Who does Atsuko Tanaka voice in Berserk?
Tanaka voiced Slan, one of the God Hand, in the original 1997 Berserk TV series and carried the role into the Millennium Falcon Hen Seima Senki no Sho film. It placed her among the earliest Japanese cast members to voice the series' central antagonists.
What other anime characters did Atsuko Tanaka voice?
Affiliated with Mausu Promotion for most of her career, Tanaka voiced Konan in Naruto, Lisa Lisa in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and Hanami in Jujutsu Kaisen. That range showed her versatility well beyond her signature Ghost in the Shell role.
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Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Dragon Ball anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Toei Animation and Shueisha.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to Bandai Namco, Atari, and other publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Akira Toriyama.
Official resources:
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