known professionally as was a Japanese voice actress and actress from Kyoto Prefecture,Some online Japanese sources claim Hyogo Prefecture, where she spent a long time at, was her birthplace. affiliated with Theater Echo.
She is best known for voice roles such as Leo/Kimba in Kimba the White Lion, Tanpei in Time Bokan, Gan-chan/Yatterman No.1 in Yatterman, Sewashi in Doraemon, Nobita Nobi in Doraemon, Princess Sapphire in Princess Knight, Atsuko "Akko" Kagami in The Secret of Akko-chan, Kyoko Otowa in Aim for the Ace!, Chizuko Makieda in D.N.Angel, Panny/Baby Panda in Panda! Go Panda!, Peebo in Chodenshi Bioman, and Urasue in InuYasha.Original Akko-chan VA Yoshiko Ota Passes Away 89. Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll news. November 7, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2026.Veteran Voice Actress Yoshiko Ota Passes Away at 89. Otaku USA. Otaku USA official website. November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2026.Yoshiko Ota, The OG Voice Of Nobita, Passes Away At The Age Of 89. gempak.com. rojakdaily. November 16, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
Biography Ōta was born in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Empire of Japan on April 25, 1932.
She joined Takarazuka Revue in 1947, and remained with them until 1952. She joined Theater Echo in 1963.
In 2016, she received the Tokyo Anime Award Festival's Merit Award.“これまでの顕彰者” (in Japanese). Tokyo Anime Award Festival.
Ōta died from heart failure on October 29, 2021, at the age of 89.“「ジャングル大帝」レオや「ひみつのアッコちゃん」…俳優・声優の太田淑子さん死去” (in Japanese). Yomiuri Shimbun Online (Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo Headquarters). (November 8, 2021) Her death was announced on November 9 by Theater Echo.
Personal life She married fellow voice actor Osamu Saka, whom she met while a member of the Takarazuka Revue. The couple moved to Tokyo in 1964.
Throughout the 1960s, Ōta voiced the heroes and heroines in animated adaptations of Osamu Tezuka's works. She even managed to appear as a voice actress in all three anime series of The Secret of Akko-chan."Kyoku: Seikon / Yoshiko Ota" in "Seiyu Animedia" (in Japanese). September 2009 issue. Gakken Holdings. September 2009. pages 114–115. When she was cast to voice Princess Sapphire in Princess Knight, she was overjoyed, as it was a role she always wanted to play.
She was the original voice of Nobita Nobi for the first Doraemon anime series. In the second Doraemon anime series that ran from 1979 to 2005, she voiced Nobita's great-great-grandson Sewashi.
Originally, Time Bokan and Yatterman were intended to focus on the main hero and heroine, voiced by her and Mari Okamoto. However, the villainous trios of both series were so entertaining with audiences and the staff that they became the main characters. Ōta expressed her personal frustration at this decision, remarking, "It's always the bad guys who get all the attention.""Trio: The Great Comeback! Above All Else, 'Arahora Sassa in "Animage". October 1993 issue. Supplement 1: "Time Bokan" OVA Revival Commemorative "Yatte Oshimai BOOK". 25 pages.Akira Kamiya, "Jōji Nanami" in "Everyone Wanted to Be a Voice Actor: Akira Kamiya and 25 Voice Actors". Shufunotomo-sha. January 6, 1994. 280 pages. .
Successors The following individuals took over some of Ōta's acting roles after her death. SuccessorCharacterWorkDebutMaki ZeninHung Chu / Yellow Pearl (Kim Jeong-ran) Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin (TBS version) Additional content in the J:COM BS version寺門真希（てらかどまき）の2024年4月22日のツイート (in Japanese). Twitter. April 22, 2024.
Filmography Television animation + List of voice performances in television animation Year Title Role Notes Source 1964 Big X Akira Asagumo “ビッグX” (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka Official Website.ビッグＸ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Astro Boy Rin/Phosphorus (Atom's mother) 1965 Space Patrol Hopper Ruby “パトロールホッパ宇宙っ子ジュン” (in Japanese). Toei Animation.宇宙パトロール ホッパ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Jungle Emperor Leo Leo/Kimba Lead role “ジャングル大帝” (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka Official Website.ジャングル大帝 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1967 The Golden Bat Basco Adventure on the Gaboten Island Igao 冒険ガボテン島 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Princess Knight Princess Sapphire Lead role “リボンの騎士” (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka Official Website.リボンの騎士 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1968 The Monster Kid Haniwa-kun Sasuke Kasumi Tsubaki サスケ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Boy's Detective Team Narrator わんぱく探偵団 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1969 Marine Boy Elm Boy Ep. 25 The Secret of Akko-chan Atsuko "Akko" Kagami Lead role キャラクター／キャスト (in Japanese). Toei Animation Lineup. The Secret of Akko-chan (Season 1). Toei Animation.ひみつのアッコちゃん (第一期) (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1970 Norakuro Private Megane のらくろ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee Additional voice 1971 Little Ghost Q-Tarō Shōta Ōhara Main role 新オバケのＱ太郎 (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment Official Website. TMS Entertainment.新オバケのＱ太郎 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. The Extravagant Muchabei Additional voice Marvelous Melmo Nitako Ep. 6 Genshi Shōnen Ryū Don Maco the Mermaid Nobuko, Rika Nobuko in Ep. 32, Rika in Ep. 41 1972 The One Who Loves Justice: Moonlight Mask Alan Boy 1973 Aim for the Ace! Kyoko Otowa The Gutsy Frog Additional voice Doraemon Nobita Nobi Main role ドラえもん 旧 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1974 Jim Button Jim Lead role ジムボタン (in Japanese). Media Arts Database. Retrieved May 14, 2026.ジムボタン (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1975 Laura, the Prairie Girl John Time Bokan Tanpei, Mirror Lead role; Mirror in Ep. 18 “作品データベース タイムボカン” (in Japanese). Tatsunoko Production Official Website. Tatsunoko Production. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2026.タイムボカンシリーズ ヤッターマン (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.From the commentary booklet for the VHS tape "Time Bokan Series: Time Bokan vol.1". Kum-Kum Aron クムクム (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1977 Ippatsu Kanta-kun Kanta Tobase “作品データベース” (in Japanese). Tatsunoko Production Official Website. Tatsunoko Production. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2026.一発貫太くん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Paul's Miraculous Adventure Peter Yatterman Gan-chan/Yatterman No.1 Main role Manga Japanese Picture Scroll Additional voice 1978 The Adventures of the Little Prince Peter 1979 Undersea Super Train: Marine Express Princess Sapphire 海底超特急 マリン・エクスプレス (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka | TEZUKA OSAMU OFFICIAL. Retrieved May 14, 2026.海底超特急マリン・エクスプレス (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. The Ultraman Ichiro Okawara Wandering Girl Nell Kit さすらいの少女ネル (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Zenderman Tsukiyoshimaru, Paknam, Santa, Kanta Tsukiyoshimaru in Ep. 5, Paknam in Ep. 21, Santa in Ep. 26, Kanta in Ep. 34 Doraemon Jaiko Gōda, Sewashi First voice of Jaiko Gōda The Rose of Versailles Jeanne (Fake Antoinette) 1980 Fisherman Sanpei Jin 1981 Ai no Gakko Cuore Monogatari Galoffi Toshishun Toshishun Lead role 杜子春 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Jarinko Chie Antonio Jr. Main role じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment official website. TMS Entertainment. Retrieved May 14, 2026.じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Yattodetaman Santa, Pack 1982 Urusei Yatsura Kōmori Ep. 27 ni-shi manrui Tokuzo's wife Miss Machiko Ms. Aoshima 1983 The Yearling Jody Baxter 子鹿物語 THE YEARLING (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1984 Chikkun Takkun Miyo's grandmother 1986 Hikari no Densetsu Hitomi Kamijou 光の伝説 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1988 Osomatsu-kun Jinbeider Eps 14, 85 The Secret of Akko-chan Kyōko Kagami (Atsuko "Akko" Kagami's mother) キャラクター／キャスト (in Japanese). Toei Animation Lineup. The Secret of Akko-chan 2. Toei Animation. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1989 Blue Blink Maha Maha Ep. 31 Jungle Emperor Leo Palna Miracle Giants Dome-kun Torao Tsutenkaku ミラクル・ジャイアンツ童夢くん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Ranma ½ Chou, Ono Kin 1990 Magical Hat Midori 1991 Anime Himitsu no Hanazono Sarah Ann Medlock Main role アニメ ひみつの花園 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Jarinko Chie 2 Antonio Jr. Main role チエちゃん奮戦記 じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment official website. TMS Entertainment. Retrieved May 14, 2026.チエちゃん奮戦記 じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Marude Dameo Sayuri's mother 1994 Tsuyoshi, Hold Tight Nozomi's mother 1998 Sentimental Graffiti Ayasaki Misao The Secret of Akko-chan Old Lady 2001 Inuyasha Urasue Debuts in Ep. 14 2003 D.N.Angel Chizuko Fujieda 2006 A Spirit of the Sun Tami 太陽の黙示録 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 2016 Witchy Pretty Cure! Legend Queen Final television anime role 『魔法つかいプリキュア！』43話先行カット＆新キャラ声優公開 (in Japanese). Animate Times. December 3, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2026.魔法つかいプリキュア! (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
Theatrical animation + List of voice performances in theatrical animation Year Title Role Notes Source 1966 Kimba the White Lion Leo/Kimba Lead role ジャングル大帝 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1969 The Monster Kid Haniwa-kun 怪物くん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. The Secret of Akko-chan Atsuko "Akko" Kagami Lead role ひみつのアッコちゃん サーカス団がやってきた (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.ひみつのアッコちゃん わたしのパパはどこ？ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1970 The Secret of Akko-chan: Tears of the Rolling Receive Atsuko "Akko" Kagami Lead role ひみつのアッコちゃん 涙の回転レシーブ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. The Secret of Akko-chan: Hooray for Pet-kun Atsuko "Akko" Kagami Lead role ひみつのアッコちゃん ばんざいペットくん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1972 Panda! Go Panda! Pan-chan/Panny/Baby Panda パンダコパンダ (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment Official Website. TMS Entertainment.パンダ・コパンダ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1973 Panda! Go Panda!: The Rainy-Day Circus Tora-chan/Tiny/Baby Tiger パンダコパンダ 雨ふりサーカスの巻 (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment Official Website. TMS Entertainment.パンダ・コパンダ 雨ふりサーカスの巻 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Panda's Adventures Ronron パンダの大冒険 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1975 The Little Humpbacked Horse Ivan せむしの仔馬 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1977 Tenguri, Boy of the Plains Additional voice 草原の子テングリ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. Yatterman Gan-chan/Yatterman No.1 ヤッターマン (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1981 Jarinko Chie Masaru's mother, Chie's classmate じゃりン子チエ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1989 The Secret of Akko-chan Kyōko Kagami (Atsuko "Akko" Kagami's mother) ひみつのアッコちゃん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1991 Dorami-chan: Wow, The Kid Gang of Bandits! Sewashi Short film ドラミちゃん アララ・少年山賊団 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1993 Dorami-chan: Hello, Dynosis Kids!! Sewashi Short film ドラミちゃん ハロー恐竜キッズ!! (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1995 2112: The Birth of Doraemon Sewashi Short film ドラえもん 2112年ドラえもん誕生 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026. 1997 Chikyū ga Ugoita Hi Kinue Tachibana 地球が動いた日 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
Original video animation (OVA)