Mamiko Noto

In "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," produced by the studio Ufotable, Noto voices Kotoha Hashibira in the Japanese-language version. The role draws on the gentle, soft-spoken quality that has defined many of her best-remembered characters, and it adds the hugely popular series to a filmography already crowded with leading and supporting parts across two decades of anime. For Noto, whose voice is closely associated with tender and quietly emotional women, the character sits comfortably within an established performing identity.

Active since 1998, Noto has built one of the more recognizable bodies of work in Japanese voice acting. Her prominent roles include Kotomi Ichinose in "Clannad," Rin in "Inuyasha," the Warrior Priestess Tomoe in "Queen's Blade," Kotori Monou in "X," Aoi Kannazuki in "Kaitō Tenshi Twin Angel," Haruka Nogizaka in "Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu," Fiel Nirvalen in "No Game No Life," Sawako Kuronuma in "Kimi ni Todoke," and Satellizer L. Bridget in "Freezing." She has lent her voice to video games as well, among them Durandal in "Honkai Impact 3rd," Ishmael in "Punishing: Gray Raven," and UMP9 in "Girls' Frontline."

Noto earned a nomination at the 1st Seiyu Awards for her performances as Yakumo Tsukamoto in "School Rumble" and Masane Amaha in "Witchblade," and she was among the winners of the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 18th Seiyu Awards. Beyond acting, she works as a singer, having issued a number of character songs and albums that have charted on Oricon. Her international profile has included guest appearances at the Otakon and Anime Expo conventions in the United States.