Noriko Ohara, the beloved voice actress known for her iconic roles as Nobita in "Doraemon" and Doronjo in "Yatterman," passed away on July 12th at the age of 88, her agency 81 Produce announced.

In a statement on their website, 81 Produce shared, "Our actress Noriko Ohara (real name: Noriko Tobe) passed away peacefully on July 12th after battling illness. She was 88 years old. In accordance with her family's wishes, the funeral service was held privately. We extend our deepest gratitude for your support during her lifetime."

 Her versatile talent and memorable performances have left an indelible mark on the world of anime.

This year has seen the loss of several other notable voice actors. On June 19th, Katsue Miwa, known for her roles in "Perman" and "Calimero," passed away at 80. Eiko Masuyama, the voice of Fujiko Mine in "Lupin the Third" and the original Honey in "Cutie Honey," died of pneumonia on May 20th at the age of 88. More recently, on June 26th, Taiki Matsuno, who voiced Koga in "Inuyasha," passed away at 56 due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

The anime community mourns these significant losses, remembering the tremendous contributions these voice actors have made to the industry and the joy they have brought to fans worldwide.