Yukiko Nikaido, the Original Voice of Fujiko Mine in 'Lupin III', Dies at 87

Yukiko Nikaido (real name: Katsuko Yagyu), a distinguished voice actress and stage performer known for iconic roles including the original voice of Fujiko Mine in the Lupin III anime series, passed away from natural causes on July 3 at the age of 87. She was the widow of the late actor Hiroshi Yagyu.

The news was shared via the social media channels of the Yatsugatake Club, a facility represented by her second son, Sosuke Yagyu. He expressed his gratitude, stating, 'My mother lived in a nursing home for the past 11 years. Thanks to the dedicated care of the staff, she spent her final years in peace and happiness.' He also confirmed that a private funeral service was held for close family members.

Nikaido voiced Fujiko Mine in the first Lupin III television series, which premiered in 1971. With her passing, all main cast members of the original series have now passed away. Fans on social media have expressed deep sadness, with many noting that 'an era has come to a close' as the original cast members have finally departed. Following the earlier loss of all the regular voice actors from the series' second iteration, the death of the original cast members has sparked a wave of tributes to these legendary performers who shaped the Golden Age of Japanese animation.

Nikaido's portrayal of Fujiko Mine is still highly regarded today for being 'cool yet endearingly cute,' staying true to the original manga's depiction. Fans fondly recall her voice as being 'like rolling bells' and note that she was their first introduction to a 'charismatic, mature female character.' Beyond her work in animation, Nikaido left a significant mark on the industry by dubbing for legendary Hollywood actresses such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as playing the kunoichi Sugaru in The Ninpu Kamui Gaiden. We express our deepest condolences on the passing of a legendary voice actress who left an indelible mark on the history of Japanese animation.

The context

Lupin III is a legendary Japanese media franchise created by Monkey Punch. The original 1971 anime, often referred to as the 'Green Jacket' series, is considered a milestone in television animation. Voice acting, or seiyū, is a highly respected profession in Japan, where performers often become cultural icons associated with the characters they portray for decades. The passing of an original cast member represents not only the loss of a talent but the conclusion of a significant chapter in Japanese entertainment history.