Kikuko Inoue (井上 喜久子, Inoue Kikuko, born September 25, 1964 as 井之上 喜久子 (pronounced identically)) is a Japanese voice actress, singer and narrator.[2] She has been part of the singing groups DoCo and Goddess Family Club. She is the founder and manager of her voice-acting company, Office Anemone. Inoue tends to play the "perfect girlfriend" or "motherly" role in many series, but has also played more sultry and provocative roles.[3]
Inoue's vocal roles are usually female characters characterized as dignified, reserved, beautiful, kind, regal, mature or domestic. For example, Belldandy, a goddess who is kind, compassionate and skilled at domestic tasks. Kasumi Tendo is an older sister who has taken over domestic duties after the death of her mother, and who acts as a counterbalance to the more rambunctious members of her family. Notably, both Kasumi and Belldandy are almost parallels of each other due to their roles as domestics in a home which could explode into chaos at any moment. She also plays Rune Venus in El-Hazard, a princess and leader of her country; as well as Kazami Mizuho in Please Teacher!, a sensible, strong-hearted alien agent in charge of observing humanity that ends up falling in love with an earthling. In the video game Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, she voices as Kirumi Tojo aka "The Ultimate Maid" A loyal and serious Ultimate who takes care of both chores and the students during the Killing School Semester, who goes by the saying "duty before self"; This role also exposes Kikuko's love of maids. When she thinks of maid characters, she always tend to imagine them as a lighthearted one, but Kirumi is definitely the type of an amazing perfectionist whose only cred is "selfless devotion." Inoue also said that she can be a little bit nervous playing as Kirumi in the official Artbook Character Profile. And on May 12, 2020, Kikuko cosplayed as Kirumi for Maid Day.
She occasionally takes on roles which are more sultry, such as Corvette in Idol Project, a curvaceous dancer who flirts quite intensely with Mimu, the young heroine. In the hentaiOVAOgenki Clinic she provides the voice of a sex-crazed nurse.[4] Also, as Lust in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, she was an antagonist the main characters have to contend with more than once.[4] On very rare occasions she takes male roles, such as Tsubasa Oozora from Captain Tsubasa ROAD to 2002, as she has stated that these roles allow her to shout, which she finds "liberating".
She is referred to as "Onee-chan" ("big sister" in Japanese) and stayed with the title on her official site and a few albums because of her role as Kasumi Tendo in Ranma ½; this is confirmed in her online profile.[5] She believes that in her past life she was a fish and therefore uses fish as her trademark.[2][6] She made a guest appearance at the 2007 Animazement anime convention in Durham, North Carolina for an autograph and Q&A session.[7] When asked her age, she often responds that she is only 17, which has become a running gag at events as well as anime shows.[1][5] At an Otakon 2009 panel, she explained that the number 17 was an aesthetic choice.[8] After voice acting Belldandy from the Ah! My Goddess anime, subsequent chapters of the manga used Inoue's distinctive style as the basis for Belldandy's character.[5]
She won Best Supporting Voice Actress in the 4th Seiyu Awards.[9] In 2016, at the 10th Seiyu Awards, she won the Kazue Takahashi Award for "the female performer who broadens the profession of voice acting in every form of media."[10]
Inoue is married, and has a daughter named Honoka.[11] Honoka uses Inoue as her stage "family" name and she is also a voice actress and singer. Kikuko Inoue is best friends with fellow voice actress Atsuko Tanaka.[12]
^"魔法つかいプリキュア!:新たな敵キャラの声優に速水奨、井上喜久子 - MANTANWEB(まんたんウェブ)". MANTANWEB(まんたんウェブ). Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
^"Poco's Udon World Anime Reveals More Cast, Ending Theme Artist, October 8 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
^"Magical Girl Raising Project Anime Reveals 4 New Cast Members in 4th Promo Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
^"'SukaSuka' Anime Reveals Main Cast, More Staff". Anime News Network. February 20, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
^"In Another World With My Smartphone Anime Reveals Additional Cast, Visuals". Anime News Network. July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
^"ストーリー". TVアニメ「笑ゥせぇるすまんNEW」公式サイト. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
^"井上喜久子、井上ほの花がTVアニメ「メルクストーリア」に出演". Office Anemone (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
^"Rage of Bahamut: Manaria Friends Anime Casts Kikuko Inoue, Wataru Hatano, More". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
^Loo, Egan (November 17, 2018). "Bermuda Triangle: Colorful Pastrale TV Anime Unveils More Cast, More Staff, Story, Song Info, Debut Date, Promo". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
^"Mix Baseball Anime Casts Wataru Takagi, Kikuko Inoue". Anime News Network. February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
^Inoue, Kikuko [@atmanbow_staff] (August 2, 2019). "【出演情報】現在放送中のアニメ「イナズマイレブン オリオンの刻印」に井上喜久子が「イリーナ」役で出演しております。お楽しみ下さい♪ ▼毎週(金)夕方5時55分〜放送 ▼ テレビ東京系6局ネット、他" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved September 17, 2020 – via Twitter.
^"CRX 2019 With The Team Behind Mob Psycho 100". Asia Pacific Arts. September 16, 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
^Antonio Pineda, Rafael (February 27, 2020). "Sanrio's Mewkledreamy TV Anime Reveals More Cast, Theme Song Artists, April 5 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
^TVアニメ「ド級編隊エグゼロス」公式 [@hxeros_anime] (July 24, 2020). "【キセイ蟲キャスト公開!】「ド級編隊 #エグゼロス」キセイ蟲女王のキャストが公開👊 コメントもご紹介します✨ 今後どのように登場するのかご期待ください🔥 キセイ蟲 女王 🎤CV: #井上喜久子 さん 毎週金曜日24時よりTOKYO MX、BS11、AT-Xほかにて順次放送中🔥" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved September 17, 2020 – via Twitter.
^"By the Grace of the Gods Anime Reveals 8 More Cast Members, New Visual". Anime News Network. July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
^"Key, P.A. Works' The Day I Became a God Anime Introduces More Characters, Cast". Anime News Network. September 26, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
^"Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Battle of Kimluck Anime Casts More Kimluck Church Members". Anime News Network. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
^"Edens Zero Anime's Video Reveals More Cast, T.M.Revolution Song, Netflix 2021 Streaming". Anime News Network. March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
^"Cestvs: The Roman Fighter TV Anime's 1st Full Video Unveils More Cast & Staff, Dragon Ash Opening Song, April 14 Debut". Anime News Network. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
^第5話に登場する豪華ゲスト声優陣を公開! - TVアニメ「ドラゴン、家を買う。」公式サイト [The magnificent guest voice actors who appear in episode 5 are announced! - TV Anime "Dragon Goes House-Hunting" official site]. doraie (in Japanese).
^"How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom Anime's Video Reveals More Cast, July 3 Premiere". Anime News Network. June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
^"「平家物語」初のTVアニメ化。FODで15日より先行配信、放送は'22年1月". AV Watch. September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
^"Tawawa on Monday Anime Gets 2nd Season With Episode 1 Now Streaming". Anime News Network. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
^"Vampire Cosmonaut Anime Tsuki to Laika to Nosferatu Unveils More Cast, Staff, Song Info, October Debut". Anime News Network. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
^"Komi Can't Communicate Anime Casts Kikuko Inoue, Mitsuaki Hoshino as Komi's Parents". Anime News Network. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
^"Platinum End Anime Casts Kaito Ishikawa, Kikuko Inoue, Tomoaki Maeno, Hikaru Midorikawa". Anime News Network. May 29, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
^"Yuruyuri's Masahiko Ohta Directs WIT Studio's Original TV Anime Onipan! in 2022". Anime News Network. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
^"The Devil Is a Part-Timer!! Season 2's 2nd Video Unveils More Cast, July 14 Debut". Anime News Network. June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
^"Troyca, DMM Pictures' Shinobi no Ittoki Anime Unveils Ninja Battle Story, Cast, Staff, October Debut in Teaser". Anime News Network. May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
^"Do It Yourself!! Anime Casts Kikuko Inoue as Serufu's Mother". Anime News Network. October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^"Ōoku: The Inner Chambers Manga Gets Anime on Netflix". Anime News Network. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
^"The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior Anime's 1st Video Reveals More Cast, Staff". Anime News Network. April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
^"SHY Anime Reveals Promo Video, October Premiere, New Visual, Opening Theme Artist". Anime News Network. June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
^"Ron Kamonohashi's Forbidden Deductions Anime Reveals 9 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
^Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 15, 2024). "Gushing Over Magical Girls Anime Casts Yōko Hikasa, Kikuko Inoue". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
^"Sleep Tight My Baby, Cradled in the Sky CG Film Plays in Japan". Anime News Network. March 28, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
^"映画クレヨンしんちゃん 激突!ラクガキングダムとほぼ四人の勇者". eiga.com. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
^"『思い、思われ、ふり、ふられ』本ビジュアル&佐倉綾音ら追加キャスト発表". Crank-in!. March 12, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
^"サイダーのように言葉が湧き上がる". eiga.com. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
^"The irregular at magic high school Franchise's Reminiscence Arc Anime Reveals 1st Ad, Cast, Staff, Winter TV Debut". Anime News Network. September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
^"Komada - A Whisky Family Original Anime Film's Trailer Reveals More Cast/Staff, Theme Song". Anime News Network. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
^Shannon, Mickey (2002). "Lunar: The Silver Star - Game Credits". LunarNET. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
^テイルズ オブ デスティニー / フィリア・フィリス (in Japanese). Namco Bandai Games. Archived from the original on February 6, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
^声優さん出演リスト タイトル別表示 ブレイブナイト ~リーヴェラント英雄伝~ [Voice actor appearance list, display by title: Braveknight: Lieveland Eiyuuden] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 24, 2016.
^"Lieveland Avenue - Brave Knight Official Homepage - Character: Remilia". Lieveland Avenue (in Japanese). Panther Software. Archived from the original on February 25, 2004. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
^ abcdefg"Kikuko Inoue (visual voices guide) - Behind The Voice Actors". behindthevoiceactors.com. Retrieved May 30, 2019.Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^"『PROJECT X ZONE(プロジェクト クロスゾーン)』新たな登場キャラと戦闘システムを紹介". s.famitsu.com (in Japanese). May 18, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
^"『ソニック&オールスターレーシング トランスフォームド』本日5月15日発売 最後に判明した参戦キャラクターは"アレックスキッド" - ファミ通.com". Famitsu. May 15, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^"Dead or Alive, Ikki Tousen Girls Join Senran Kagura: Estival Versus Roster". Anime News Network. March 27, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
^"Root Letter Game's English-Subtitled 4th Trailer Highlights Story". Anime News Network. May 28, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
^"New Danganronpa V3 Game Details Voice Cast's Roles". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
^エロリィ役:井上喜久子さん - 俺達の世界わ終っている。. Our World is Ended official website (in Japanese). October 5, 2017. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
^"Death Stranding Game Reveals More Character Designs, Cast Members (Updated)". Anime News Network. September 23, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
^@Genshin_7 (June 1, 2021). "【声優発表】不思議な技術でできた「レコーダー」に記録されていた謎の声。「やっと来たね、悪しき炎の娘。」???(謎の声) CV 井上喜久子※Ver.1.6で実施予定のイベントから登場します。#miHoYo #原神 #井上喜久子" (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.
^"Resident Evil Village Japanese voice cast announced". Gematsu. February 25, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
^"イノ | CHARACTER | GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- | ARC SYSTEM WORKS". guiltygear.com (in Japanese). Retrieved January 30, 2021.
^@KOF_ALLSTAR (November 21, 2021). "【『ギルティギア』ファイター紹介】 「コッチ来て♪」 CV. 井上 喜久子 女性の色香を武器とするイノ、 KOFASに間もなく参戦! 愛用のエレキギター「マレーネ」が奏でる技は必見ですGuitar YouTubeはこちら▼ https://youtu.be/XS9MmXuet88 #KOFAS #KOF #GGXrd #ギルティギア #イノ" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved November 21, 2021 – via Twitter.
^Arknights_EN [@ArknightsEN] (July 27, 2022). "Ling, resident poet of Shangshu, tied to the Sui Regulator and other governmental organs of Yan" (Tweet). Retrieved July 27, 2022 – via Twitter.
^Romano, Sal (July 21, 2022). "The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki II -CRIMSON SiN- details Feri, Aaron, Risette, Quatre, Judith, more". Gematsu. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
^Romano, Sal (July 28, 2022). "Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten delayed to October 20". Gematsu. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
^"CHARACTER|REYNATIS/レナティス|公式サイト". Retrieved February 27, 2024.
^"ウルトラ怪女子+ドラマCD (株式会社ぱすてるデザイン)" (in Japanese). Melon Books. August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
^"ステイ[吹]". Star Channel. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
^"DVD/ファニーゲーム U.S.A./ナオミ・ワッツ,ティム・ロス,マイケル・ピット/レンタル版". Yahoo Auctions Japan. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
^"「きっと、うまくいく」【新規吹き替え版!】". BS Japan. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
^"アメリカン・グラフィティ[吹]". Star Channel. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
^"ブルー・スチール<HDニューマスター版>". Zeque Productions. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
^"こわれゆく世界の中で". Disney. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
^"クロウ/飛翔伝説<4Kリマスター・スペシャル・エディション>". Zeque Productions. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
^"ディープ・ブルー(1999)". Star Channel. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
^"ドント・ブリーズ2". Sony Pictures. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
^"ドラゴン・ブレイド". Sony Pictures Japan. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
^"The Evil Dead II, Universal Commemorative Reprinted Version (Blu-ray)". Amazon. March 4, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
^"ワイルド・スピード". The Cinema. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
^"きっと、星のせいじゃない。". Star Channel. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
^"さまよう魂たち[二]". Star Channel. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
^"『ダウントン・アビー』脚本家が贈る『ギルデッド・エイジ -ニューヨーク黄金時代-』6月10日(金)U-NEXTにて見放題で独占配信決定!日本語吹替版の内田真礼、浅野真澄、杉田智和、新田恵海、井上喜久子、松本梨香からコメント到着。予告編も解禁". U-NEXT. May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
^"ゴッドファーザーPART III [デジタル・リマスター版]". Star Channel. Retrieved August 22, 2019.