Masako Ikeda, Iconic Voice of Maetel and "Eternal Audrey," Passes Away at 87
Masako Ikeda, a beloved voice actress known for her role as Maetel in the anime series “Galaxy Express 999,” passed away on March 3rd at the age of 87 due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Her agency, Tokyo Actors' Consumer's Cooperative Society, announced her death on March 13th, stating that the wake and funeral were held privately with close relatives. Ikeda-san breathed life into countless characters with her elegant voice and remained cherished by generations. Her portrayal of Maetel in “Galaxy Express 999” was particularly iconic, leaving a deep impression on viewers with its mysterious and serene presence. Fellow voice actress Masako Nozawa also offered her condolences, commenting, “Maetel must have embarked on a new journey on the 999 with the Conductor and Professor Matsumoto, didn't she?” For many years, Ikeda-san was also the voice of actress Audrey Hepburn in Japanese dubs, becoming widely known to Japanese fans as the “eternal Audrey.” In “Aim for the Ace!”, she master...