Voice Actress Sumi Shimamoto's Iconic 'Nausicaä' Line in NHK Taiga Drama 'Berabou' Ignites Online Buzz

In the latest episode of NHK Taiga Drama "Berabou: Tsutaju Eiga no Yume Banashi," a line delivered by voice actress Sumi Shimamoto has become a major topic of discussion, particularly on social media. The line, familiar to fans, is "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." This single phrase has left many viewers unable to hide their surprise and excitement, with shouts of joy flooding social media.

Sumi Shimamoto is widely known for voicing the protagonist Nausicaä in Studio Ghibli's masterpiece, "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind." "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid" is an iconic line from the film, spoken by Nausicaä as she first tames Teto, a creature from the forest.

The moment Shimamoto, playing Taka-san, uttered this line in the current Taiga Drama, Twitter (X) was flooded with posts like "They absolutely made the Nausicaä voice actress say that on purpose, didn't they?", "I never thought I'd hear that in a Taiga drama!", and "All the Ohmu within me turned blue at once." Regarding this "voice actor inside joke" type of directing, many praised the production team's playful spirit, commenting "NHK really knows what they're doing!" and "Berabou truly lives up to its name [Berabou can mean outrageous/incredible]."

Furthermore, with Saki Takaoka playing Tsuyo-san in the drama, unique theories emerged, connecting the character to the world of "Nausicaä," such as "Is Saki Takaoka (Tsuyo-san) actually Teto, the fox-squirrel!?" This series of surprises seems to have left a strong impression on viewers and added a new layer of enjoyment to the drama.

Amidst the drama's serious ongoing plot, this line has been described as providing "a sense of relief, like Nausicaä descending onto the golden fields in her blue dress." Expectations are now high for what other surprises "Berabou" might have in store.

The Context

NHK Taiga Dramas are annual, year-long historical fiction television series produced by Japan's public broadcaster, NHK. They are highly anticipated and often depict pivotal moments or figures in Japanese history.

"Berabou: Tsutaju Eiga no Yume Banashi" (べらぼう～蔦重栄華乃夢噺～) is the 2025 Taiga Drama, focusing on Tsutaya Jūzaburō, a prominent publisher and cultural figure during the Edo period. The title "Berabou" itself can translate to "outrageous" or "incredible," hinting at a potentially unconventional approach to the historical genre.

"Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" is a highly acclaimed 1984 animated fantasy-adventure film directed by Hayao Miyazaki, often considered a precursor to Studio Ghibli. It's famous for its environmental themes, memorable characters, and iconic scenes, including Nausicaä's ability to calmly interact with nature's giant insects and creatures.

Sumi Shimamoto is a veteran and highly respected Japanese voice actress. Her role as the compassionate Princess Nausicaä is one of her most iconic performances, making the line "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid" instantly recognizable to generations of Japanese audiences. The mention of "Ohmu turning blue" refers to the giant insect-like creatures in Nausicaä whose eyes turn blue when they are calm and peaceful, as opposed to red when enraged.

The use of such a direct and beloved reference from a voice actor's most famous role in a live-action drama is known in Japan as a "naka no hito neta" (中の人ネタ), or an "inside joke" pertaining to the actual person (the voice actor) behind a character. This clever meta-reference by the "Berabou" production team was a delightful surprise for many viewers, blending two distinct aspects of Japanese popular culture in an unexpected and amusing way.