Atsuko Tanaka, Voice of Ghost in the Shell’s Major, Dies at 61

Atsuko Tanaka, the Japanese voice actress who played Motoko Kusanagi—the Major—in Ghost in the Shell, died on August 20, 2024. ORICON reported that she was 61. Her family did not disclose the specific illness, citing her wishes for privacy.

When did Atsuko Tanaka die, and how old was she?

Tanaka died on August 20, 2024. ORICON reported her age as 61; the official Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 site also gave August 20 as the date of her death. The franchise’s global site published a memorial the following day.

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What was Atsuko Tanaka known for in Ghost in the Shell?

Tanaka voiced Motoko Kusanagi, known as the Major, in multiple entries in the franchise. The official Ghost in the Shell memorial noted her work in the series beginning with the 1995 film and including Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Read the franchise memorial.

What was the cause of her death?

ORICON reported that Tanaka had battled an illness for a year. Her son, voice actor Hikaru Tanaka, said the family would keep the specific illness private in accordance with her wishes. No diagnosis was disclosed.

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Roles beyond the Major

Tanaka’s work also included Amida Arca in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, Caster in Fate/stay night, Hanami in Jujutsu Kaisen, and Flamme in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, according to ORICON. Sunrise separately acknowledged her performance as Amida Arca in its memorial notice.

How her family remembered her

In the English wording reproduced by ORICON, Hikaru Tanaka asked people to remember “Atsuko Tanaka, the works she was sincerely involved in, the characters she loved so dearly, and the voice actress she was.”

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ORICON’s obituary reported her age, illness and family statement. The official SAC_2045 notice confirmed the date of death, and Sunrise’s memorial noted her role as Amida Arca.

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