Japan anime lovers in shock over second high-profile death

Voice actress Tarako, best known for her role as the happy-go-lucky little girl from long-running anime series Chibi Maruko-chan, died after an illness. Photo: Maruko/X

Japanese cartoon fans were devastated on March 9 over the death of a voice actress behind one of the nation’s most beloved anime heroines, just a day after the passing of the creator of the Dragon Ball mega-franchise was announced.

Voice actress Tarako, best known for her role as the happy-go-lucky and occasionally trouble-making little girl from long-running anime series Chibi Maruko-chan, died after an illness, her talent agency said.