
DUBAI: Fumiko Orikasa is a talented Japanese voice actress who is known for her roles in anime series such as: Rukia Kuchiki in Bleach, Mikan in Atashin’chi, as well as video games such as Chun-Li in the Street Fighter franchise.
Orikasa started her career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor, but she managed to secure her first voicing acting role as Azusa Fuyutsuki in Great Teacher Onizuka.
About the most inspirational thing from Japanese culture that she has adapted into her daily life, Orikasa said, “I try to incorporate into my life the aesthetic sense of wabi-sabi of my ancestors, who valued the beauty of space and white space, such as in tea rooms and tokonoma alcoves. I value space and like to spend time alone, quietly sharpening my five senses. I also like the Japanese painter Ito Jakuchu, and go to museums to see his works.”
Orikasa is known as the voice of Rukia Kuchiki in the Bleach franchise; she shared exclusively with Arab News Japan the story of being chosen for the role of Rukia and the experience of performing the voice over the years: “The role of Rukia was an audition. Apparently, even the staff had no idea what Rukia’s voice would be like when the anime was being made. I first auditioned for a different role, but they said, “Please let us hear Rukia’s voice as well,” so I auditioned several times, and finally, Kubo Tite, the original author Bleach, heard my voice and decided on the role for me.”
“As Rukia’s emotional growth in the story progresses, I have learned and felt a lot from her, and she is a character I respect,” she added.
She is known as the voice of Chun-Li in the Street Fighter video game franchise. “The role of Chun-Li was also an audition. I remember passing Takahashi Hiroki, who was playing Ryu, on his way home from the audition, and saying, “Good luck.” We were both chosen later and I was so happy,” she told Arab News Japan.
“The game was originally a popular title, and I have been playing the role of Chun-Li since Street Fighter 4. With the rise of the internet and other trends, it feels like it has spread around the world at incredible speed. Now it’s the e-sports era where many strong players from all over the world are coming together and becoming one. There is even a bronze statue of Chun-Li in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan. I’m grateful to have been able to voice her for so long,” she added.
“It’s been a long time, but many people are still enjoying it. This year, a new story titled “Atashin’chi NEXT” is being distributed on the anime series official YouTube channel,” she said.
The voice actress was one of the international celebrities who were invited to the CFCC event in Kuwait last month and she was very pleased to meet the fans at the event. “Thank you to everyone in Kuwait who got to know me through my many works and for inviting me. The people of the Middle East were all very kind, respectful, and had a wonderful radiance to them. We all laughed a lot together, overcoming the language barrier. I hope to see them again.”
Regarding her upcoming projects, Orikasa said, “The latest game of the Bleach franchise, ‘BLEACH Rebirth of Souls,’ will be released soon; please enjoy it with your friends.”
“Also, I am the voice actor for the gourd child ‘Yakoro’ on the Japanese educational program for young children ‘Okaasan to Issho’. It’s a bright and fun program, so I hope people in the Middle East will watch it with the child in their hearts,” he added.
About her recommendations for those who want to be voice actors for animation and video game projects, Orikasa said: “I think it’s important and wonderful to have dreams, not just to become a voice actor. I don’t have any advice, but I believe in myself and I value my connections with people when I work.”