Noriko Hidaka

In My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Noriko Hidaka's Satsuki Kusakabe and Chika Sakamoto's Mei are affectionate without becoming conveniently quiet children. Their sisterly bond is untidy enough to believe in, and neither voice needs to make every exchange sweet. We warmed to the pair because the affection survives the noise. Hidaka helps make the elder sister convincing as a child in her own right; she does not merely supply somebody sensible for Mei to play against.

Her breakthrough was Minami Asakura in Touch (1985), followed by the hot-tempered Akane Tendo in Ranma ½ (1989). Energetic, strong-willed young heroines became a familiar part of her work, particularly in sports and shōnen animation. That description tells us something about the casting, but rather less about what makes her worth hearing. The appeal of Satsuki is that Hidaka makes her affection just as credible, without requiring her to be gentle all the time.

With Totoro, Hayao Miyazaki gives the performers children whose enthusiasm is allowed room. Mei's curiosity has physical force in the animation, and Sakamoto's voice is central to its appeal; Hidaka's contribution works within that partnership. We would be wary of praising either voice as though the drawings and the other performer were incidental. Our caveat about the film is that the adults can seem too agreeable, but the sisters retain enough noise and untidiness to keep the family from becoming unbearably sweet.

InuYasha (2000) brought the conflicted Kikyo, while Hidaka's work has also extended to male characters, narration and games. Her return to Akane in the 2024 remake of Ranma ½ suggests that the determined heroine remains an important part of what she offers. Those parts give reasons to explore further, but My Neighbor Totoro is where our recommendation is firmest. Start with Satsuki, and listen to the two sisters together rather than trying to pick a winner.