Noriko Hidaka: Movies & Box Office

Noriko Hidaka (born Noriko Itō on 1962-05-31) is a prolific Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and narrator whose career spans over four decades. Raised in the Kudan area of Chiyoda, Tokyo, she attended Fujimi Elementary School and grew up in a family that owned a Western‑style clothing shop called “Tailor Itō,” which exposed her early to both Japanese and Western cultural influences. Her debut came in 1984 with the anime Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, where she voiced Musicaa, marking the start of a remarkable journey in voice acting.

During the 1980s she briefly pursued a career as an idol, appearing in commercials such as the 1982 Nivea skin‑milk ad, but she soon shifted focus to voice work, signing with the renowned talent agency 81 Produce until 2006. Hidaka quickly became a household name through iconic roles like Minami Asakura in Touch, Akane Tendo in the beloved comedy‑action series Ranma ½, and Satsuki Kusakabe in Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece My Neighbor Totoro. Her versatility shone in darker narratives as well, providing the voice of Near in Death Note and the elegant witch Kikyō in Inuyasha. Beyond anime, she has contributed to video games, dubbing Western productions (notably dubbing Jayma Mays in Glee and Grace Winslow in The Smurfs series), and has released several music albums and spoken‑word projects. Throughout her enduring career, Hidaka has remained a beloved figure, celebrated for her warm narration, dynamic character portrayals, and the affectionate nickname “Nonko” bestowed by fans, continuing to work actively in the industry up to the present day.