Megumi Hayashibara
Voice ActorMegumi Hayashibara is a veteran Japanese voice actress and singer who voices Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the most recognized castings of the 1990s anime boom.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Role
Megumi Hayashibara voices Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the three teenage pilots at the center of the series. Her hushed, deliberately flat delivery became inseparable from the character and helped make Rei one of the most instantly recognizable figures in 1990s anime, shaping how quiet, enigmatic heroines have been voiced ever since.
Career and Notable Roles
Hayashibara has been one of the most prolific voice actresses in the industry since the mid-1980s, running her own talent agency, Woodpark Office, and taking on lead roles across a huge range of series, including Lina Inverse in Slayers and Faye Valentine in Cowboy Bebop. She has also built a long-running career as a singer, frequently performing theme songs for characters she voices, and works as a lyricist and radio personality alongside her acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Megumi Hayashibara retired?
No, Megumi Hayashibara has remained active in the industry since 1986. She continues performing as a voice actress and singer, born in 1967, with a career spanning four decades.
What does Megumi Hayashibara do outside of voice acting?
Hayashibara has built a long-running career as a singer, frequently performing theme songs for characters she voices. She also works as a lyricist and radio personality alongside her acting.
Who does Megumi Hayashibara voice?
Beyond Evangelion, Hayashibara voices Lina Inverse in Slayers and Faye Valentine in Cowboy Bebop, two of the most recognizable lead roles of the 1990s anime boom. Her range across these performances helped define two of the era's most iconic anime heroines.
What anime is Megumi Hayashibara known for?
Hayashibara voices Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the three teenage pilots at the center of the series. Her hushed, deliberately flat delivery became inseparable from the character and helped make Rei one of the most instantly recognizable figures in 1990s anime.
How prolific is Megumi Hayashibara's voice acting career?
Hayashibara has been one of the most prolific voice actresses in the Japanese anime industry since the mid-1980s. She also runs her own talent agency, Woodpark Office, managing her own career within the industry.
Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series, manga, and official materials. Neon Genesis Evangelion was created by Hideaki Anno, published by Kadokawa, and animated by khara and Gainax. All rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byHideaki Anno
- Published byKadokawa
- Animated bykhara
- Animated byGainax
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Anime, 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 khara, Gainax and Kadokawa.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to the game's respective publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: volume covers, credited to Kadokawa and Hideaki Anno.
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