Nobuyo Oyama, voice of Japan’s beloved robot cat ‘Doraemon,’ dies at 90

This picture taken on June 28, 2007 shows Japanese voice actress Nobuyo Oyama in Tokyo. Oyama, who was the voice of “Doraemon,” a cartoon cat robot beloved by children in Japan and other countries, has died, her agency said on Oct. 11, 2024. She was 90. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT / JAPAN OUT

TOKYO — A Japanese actress who was the voice of “Doraemon,” a cartoon cat robot beloved by children in Japan and other countries has died, her agency said Friday. Nobuyo Oyama was 90.

For a quarter of a century until 2005, Oyama lent her endearingly hoarse voice to the titular blue feline from the 22nd century with his “magic pocket” and its supply of fantastical gadgets, including a door that lets you travel anywhere.

She “passed away on Sept. 29 due to old age,” her talent agency told AFP. Her funeral was attended by close relatives, it said.

“Doraemon” is still on air as one of the longest-running Japanese anime series, popular across Asia and farther afield.

While Oyama’s successor has played the role for nearly two decades, her voice remains the definitive sound of the robot for many who grew up hearing it.

READ: Tomita Kosei, original ‘Doraemon’ voice actor, dead at 84

In “Doraemon,” the cuddly robot cat with its huge smile travels back in time to help a lazy schoolboy called Nobita overcome the trials of everyday life.

Created by the artist Fujiko F. Fujio, the character first appeared in manga strips in 1969, making the transition to the small and big screen over the following decades.