--- name: "Atsuko Tanaka" canonical: "https://film.one/person/atsuko-tanaka" fi1m_id: "atsuko-tanaka" imdb_id: "nm0848968" tmdb_id: 34923 wikidata_id: "Q1208611" roles: ["Actor"] born: "14 November 1962" died: "20 August 2024" reviewed_on_fi1m: 1 average_as: "actor" average_over: 1 updated: "2026-09-24T05:31:22.809332+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Atsuko Tanaka ## Identity Atsuko Tanaka - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/atsuko-tanaka - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** atsuko-tanaka - **IMDb ID:** nm0848968 - **TMDB ID:** 34923 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1208611 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsuko_Tanaka, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1208611, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0848968/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34923 Actor. Born 14 November 1962 in Maebashi, Gunma, Japan. Died 20 August 2024. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 14 November 1962, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan - **Died:** 20 August 2024 - **Active:** 1995–2023 - **Also known as:** たなか あつこ, Atsuko Satō, 田中 敦子, 佐藤敦子, 佐藤 敦子, Atsuko Sato - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsuko_Tanaka, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1208611, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0848968/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34923 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Ghost in the Shell*](https://film.one/film/ghost-in-the-shell.md) (83) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Atsuko Tanaka > Atsuko Tanaka gives Motoko Kusanagi a deep, husky authority that makes the character worth listening to without making her easy to know. We rate the restraint, though *Ghost in the Shell* sometimes needs warmth the performance cannot supply. In *Ghost in the Shell* (1995), Motoko Kusanagi does not sound as though she is asking to be liked. Atsuko Tanaka’s restrained delivery suits Mamoru Oshii’s cool, melancholy science fiction, and gives us a reason to listen to a character who keeps her distance. It is an effective performance within a film we admire. The reservation is how seldom that authority lets us feel close to her. Kusanagi was Tanaka’s breakthrough after early work in dubbing, and she continued voicing the character for nearly three decades. *Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex* (2002) extended the role into television. Her consistency across those returns to Kusanagi matters as much as the immediately recognisable depth of the voice. Her other parts included Konan in *Naruto Shippūden* (2007) and Lisa Lisa in *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure* (2012), alongside work in video games and foreign-film dubbing. That breadth is worth remembering, even if Kusanagi remains the clearest place to hear the qualities we value in her. The deep, husky voice frequently brought her roles as mature, authoritative or fighting women. Yet her preparation for complex characters involved trial and error, including consultations with directors about technical and philosophical details. That helps explain why Kusanagi sounds controlled without sounding as though every question about her has been settled. The writing still has to give us someone beneath the explanations whom we want to understand. We were absorbed by *Ghost in the Shell*, but frustrated by how little we felt for Kusanagi when Kazunori Ito’s screenplay loaded its characters with explanations. The city can seem more alive than its inhabitants, and Tanaka cannot entirely overcome that. Asking her simply to put more feeling into the lines would miss how well her control suits Oshii’s film; the script needs to give her more to work with. Start with Oshii’s film, but do not expect easy company. ## Biography Atsuko Tanaka (田中 敦子) was a Japanese voice actress and narrator. Born in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, she trained at Ferris University and later the Tokyo Announcement Academy before joining the agency Mausu Promotion in the early 1990s. She was best known for voicing Motoko Kusanagi in the 1995 film *Ghost in the Shell* and its franchise, a role she held for nearly three decades. Other notable credits include Konan in *Naruto Shippūden*, Hanami in *Jujutsu Kaisen*, Lisa Lisa in *JoJo's Bizarre Adventure*, and Caster in *Fate/stay night*. Tanaka remained active until her death on 20 August 2024 at the age of 61. Her son, Hikaru Tanaka, is also a voice actor. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, behindthevoiceactors.com, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (1) - *Ghost in the Shell* (1995), Fi1m 83, as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/ghost-in-the-shell.md) ## Complete filmography (153) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *#COMPASS2.0 ANIMATION PROJECT* (2025), series, as Violetta (voice) - *YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master* (2024), series, as Ōmurasaki no Omae (voice) - *Brave Bang Bravern!* (2024), series, as Kunus (voice) - *The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic* (2024), series, as Rose (voice) - *Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Saigo no Ningen* (2023), as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) - *Frieren: Beyond Journey's End* (2023), series, as Flamme (voice) - *MAKE MY DAY* (2023), series, as Cathy Beck (voice) - *Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer* (2022), series, as Muu (voice) - *Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War* (2021), as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) - *Kimi to Fit Boxing* (2021), series, as Laura (voice) - *Knights of Sidonia: Love Woven in the Stars* (2021), Actor - *Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet* (2021), as Mary Sera (voice) - *The Way of the Househusband* (2021), series, as Hibari Torii (voice) - *Ganbare! TEAM NACS* (2021), series, Actor - *Detective Conan: The Scarlet Alibi* (2021), as Mary Sera (voice) - *The Gymnastics Samurai* (2020), series, as Mari Aragaki (voice) - *JUJUTSU KAISEN* (2020), series, as Hanami (voice) - *Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045* (2020), series, as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) - *Listeners* (2020), series, as Kim (voice) - *ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. - Regards* (2020), as Mauve (voice) - *Gundam Reconguista in G Movie I: Go! Core Fighter* (2019), as Wilmit Zenam (voice) - *Detective Conan: The Scarlet School Trip* (2019), as Mary Sera (voice) - *Usuzumizakura: GARO* (2018), as Akira (voice) - *I Want to Eat Your Pancreas* (2018), as Haruki's Mother (voice) - *Queen's Blade UNLIMITED* (2018), series, Actor - *Cutie Honey Universe* (2018), series, as Inspector Genet / Sister Jill (voice) - *Batman Ninja* (2018), as Poison Ivy / Pamela Isley (voice) - *A.I.C.O. -Incarnation-* (2018), series, as Akiko Nanbara (voice) - *Today's Menu for the Emiya Family* (2018), series, as Caster (voice) - *Devilman Crybaby* (2018), series, as Sirene (voice) - *Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower* (2017), as Caster (voice) - *GARO -VANISHING LINE-* (2017), series, as Sister (voice) - *3-Nen D-Gumi Glass no Kamen: Tobidase Watashitachi no Victory Road* (2017), as Chigusa Tsukikage (voice) - *Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic* (2017), as Francis Midford (voice) - *ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.* (2017), series, as Mauve (voice) - *The Glass Mask Year 3 Class D* (2016), series, as Chigusa Tsukikage (voice) - *Thunderbolt Fantasy* (2016), series, as Narrator (Voice) - *SUPER LOVERS* (2016), series, as Haruko Kaidou (voice) - *Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn* (2016), series, as Uzal Delilah (voice) - *Hifuu Club Activity Record ~ The Sealed Esoteric History* (2015), series, Actor - *Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn* (2015), as Uzal Delilah (voice) - *Chieri and Cherry* (2015), as Lady Emerald (voice) - *God Eater* (2015), series, as Tsubaki Amamiya (voice) - *The Heroic Legend of Arslan* (2015), series, as Tahamenay (voice) - *Knights of Sidonia: The Movie* (2015), as Samari Ittan (voice) - *THE iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls* (2015), series, as Executive Director Mishiro (voice) - *Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]* (2014), series, as Caster (voice) - *Your Lie in April* (2014), series, as Yuriko Ochiai (voice) - *Parasyte -the maxim-* (2014), series, as Ryoko Tamiya (voice), Reiko Tamura (voice) - *Sleep Tight My Baby, Cradled in the Sky* (2014), as Yuri Aoshima - *Knights of Sidonia* (2014), series, as Ittan Samari (voice) - *The Irregular at Magic High School* (2014), series, as Virginia Balance (voice) - *Bayonetta: Bloody Fate* (2013), as Bayonetta (voice) - *Glitter Force Doki Doki* (2013), series, as Marmo (voice) - *JoJo's Bizarre Adventure* (2012), series, as Lisa Lisa (voice) - *Little Busters!* (2012), series, as Announcer (voice) - *Kokoro Connect* (2012), series, as Reika Nagase (voice) - *Campione!* (2012), series, as Lucretia Zola - *Tari Tari* (2012), series, as Naoko Takakura (voice) - *Ozma* (2012), series, as Binas - *Doraemon: Nobita and the Island of Miracles – Animal Adventure* (2012), as Professor Kelly (voice) - *Bread of Happiness* (2012), Actor - *Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward Special OVA* (2011), as Alice (voice) - *Carnival Phantasm: Illya's Castle* (2011), Actor - *TEKKEN: Blood Vengeance* (2011), as Nina Williams (voice) - *Mazinkaiser SKL* (2011), series, as Aira (voice) - *Halo Legends* (2010), as Dr. Halsey (segment "The Package") - *Halo Legends* (2010), series, as Dr. Halsey - *Aoi Bungaku Series* (2009), series, as Madam - *A Certain Scientific Railgun* (2009), series, as Harumi Kiyama (voice) - *Nyan Koi!* (2009), series, as Nyamsus - *God Eater Prologue* (2009), as Tsubaki Amamiya - *Princess Lover!* (2009), series, as Josephine (voice) - *Umineko: When They Cry* (2009), series, as Kasumi Sumadera - *The River's Light* (2009), as 蓝 - *Beyond the Heavens* (2009), series, as Bian Linglong - *Queen's Blade* (2009), series, as Claudette (voice) - *Black Butler* (2008), series, as Francis Midford (voice) - *The Hill Dyed Rose Madder* (2008), series, as Nagase (Mother) - *Ghost in the Shell 2.0* (2008), as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) - *The Daughter of Twenty Faces* (2008), series, as Seiji Tamiya (voice) - *Amatsuki* (2008), series, Actor - *Juken Sentai Gekiranger: Gyun-Gyun! Fist Sage Great Athletic Meet* (2007), as Michelle Peng (voice) - *Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society* (2007), as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) - *The Piano Forest* (2007), as Namie Amamiya (voice) - *Devil May Cry* (2007), series, as Trish (voice) - *Juken Sentai Gekiranger* (2007), series, as Michelle Peng (Voice) - *Naruto Shippūden* (2007), series, as Konan (voice) - *Shattered Angels* (2007), series, as Mika Ayanokōji (voice) - *Strain: Strategic Armored Infantry* (2006), series, as Captain Vivian Medlock - *Hataraki Man* (2006), series, as Maiko Kaji (voice) - *Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple* (2006), series, as Freya (voice) - *Le Chevalier D'Eon* (2006), series, as Queen Elizabeth of Russia - *Utawarerumono* (2006), series, as Karurauatsuurei - *Ergo Proxy* (2006), series, as Lacan (voice) - *Phoenix: Earthkeepers* (2006), as The Phoenix (voice) - *Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG - Individual Eleven* (2006), as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) - *Fate/stay night* (2006), series, as Caster (voice) - *Noein: To Your Other Self* (2005), series, as Miyuki Gotou (voice) - *Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man* (2005), as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) - *Prayers* (2005), series, Actor - *Lupin the Third: Angel Tactics* (2005), as Kaori (voice) - *Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation* (2005), series, as Viletta Badim (voice) - *Mahou Sentai Magiranger* (2005), series, as Gorgon (Voice) - *Gallery Fake* (2005), series, as Fei Cui - *Destiny of the Shrine Maiden* (2004), series, as アメノムラクモ / Ame no Murakumo - *Phoenix: Robe of Feathers* (2004), Actor - *Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple* (2004), series, as Miss Lemon (voice) - *Tweeny Witches* (2004), series, as Atelia (voice) - *Monster* (2004), series, as Margot (voice) - *Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence* (2004), as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) - *Heart Cocktail Again* (2003), Actor - *Maburaho* (2003), series, as Maika Kazetsubaki - *Battle Programmer Shirase* (2003), series, as Kotoe Amano (voice) - *Hoop Days* (2003), series, Actor - *Wolf's Rain* (2003), series, as Jagara (voice) - *Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex* (2002), series, as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) - *Patlabor WXIII the Movie* (2002), as Saeko Misaki (voice) - *RahXephon* (2002), series, as Sayoko Nanamori (voice) - *Salaryman Kintaro* (2001), series, as Misuzu Suenaga (voice) - *Reign: The Conqueror Movie* (2000), as Cassandra - *Gravitation* (2000), series, as Kaoruko (voice) - *Reign: The Conqueror* (1999), series, as Cassandra (voice) - *Kindaichi Case Files : Deep Blue Massacre* (1999), as Yurie Aizawa (voice) - *BuBu ChaCha* (1999), series, as Mom - *Angel Links* (1999), series, as Valeria Vertone (voice) - *Legend of Himiko* (1999), series, as Fujina - *Master Keaton* (1998), series, Actor - *Super Doll★Licca-chan* (1998), series, as Puru - *Brain Powerd* (1998), series, as Shiela Glass (voice) - *Fancy Lala* (1998), series, as Yumi Haneishi (voice) - *Cowboy Bebop* (1998), series, as Coffy (voice) - *AWOL -Absent Without Leave-* (1998), series, Actor - *Master of Mosquiton '99* (1997), series, as Wolf Lady - *Eikou e no Spur: Igaya Chiharu Monogatari* (1997), Actor - *Psycho Diver: Soul Siren* (1997), as Angelica (voice) - *AIKa* (1997), series, as Nena Hagen (voice) - *Hermes - Winds of Love* (1997), as Mermaid Delmone (voice) - *Variable Geo* (1997), series, as Miranda Jahana - *Speed Racer X* (1997), series, Actor - *Advancer Tina* (1996), as Tina Owen (voice) - *Advancer Tina* (1996), series, as Tina Owen (voice) - *Magic User's Club OVA* (1996), series, Actor - *Ghost in the Shell* (1995), as Motoko Kusanagi (voice) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/ghost-in-the-shell.md) - *Virtua Fighter* (1995), series, Actor - *Macross 7: The Galaxy Is Calling Me!* (1995), as Margarita (voice) - *Princess Minerva* (1995), as Yurisis Cheloria (voice) - *My Sexual Harassment* (1994), series, as Yumi Mayakawa (voice) - *Mahoujin Guru Guru* (1994), series, Actor - *Yamato Takeru* (1994), series, as Shaman (voice) - *Black Jack* (1993), series, as Abumaru (voice) - *Lupin the Third: Voyage to Danger* (1993), as Karen Korinsky (voice) - *Ogenki Clinic Adventures*, as Feeling Good Girl ## Gallery - ![Atsuko Tanaka](https://film.one/media/person/86451/gallery-542caa16f51f.jpg) Atsuko Tanaka — Image via TMDB - ![Atsuko Tanaka](https://film.one/media/person/86451/gallery-e52e62135179.jpg) Atsuko Tanaka — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Seiyu Awards Foreign Film/Drama Award 2020: Seiyu Awards Foreign Film/Drama Award (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/atsuko-tanaka