--- name: "Sumi Shimamoto" canonical: "https://film.one/person/sumi-shimamoto" fi1m_id: "sumi-shimamoto" imdb_id: "nm0793585" tmdb_id: 613 wikidata_id: "Q584626" roles: ["Actor"] born: "8 December 1954" reviewed_on_fi1m: 4 average_fi1m_score: 86 average_as: "actor" average_over: 4 updated: "2026-09-24T12:00:06.362571+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." --- # Sumi Shimamoto ## Identity Sumi Shimamoto - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sumi-shimamoto - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** sumi-shimamoto - **IMDb ID:** nm0793585 - **TMDB ID:** 613 - **Wikidata ID:** Q584626 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumi_Shimamoto, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q584626, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0793585/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/613 Actor. Born 8 December 1954 in Kōchi, Japan. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 8 December 1954, Kōchi, Japan - **Active:** 1979–present - **Also known as:** Koshikawa Sumi, Sumi Koshikawa, 島本 須美, 越川 須美, Shimamoto Sumi, سومی شیماموتو - **Frequently works with:** [Hayao Miyazaki](https://film.one/person/hayao-miyazaki.md), [Gorō Naya](https://film.one/person/goro-naya.md), [Toshio Suzuki](https://film.one/person/toshio-suzuki.md), [Yōji Matsuda](https://film.one/person/yoji-matsuda.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 86, as actor, over 4 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 80 (1), 1980s 87 (2), 1990s 88 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 86 to 80 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Animation 4, Adventure 3, Fantasy 3, Comedy 1, Crime 1, Family 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $235m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumi_Shimamoto, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q584626, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0793585/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/613 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*My Neighbor Totoro*](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro.md) (89), [*Princess Mononoke*](https://film.one/film/princess-mononoke.md) (88), [*Warriors of the Wind*](https://film.one/film/warriors-of-the-wind.md) (85) - **Tubi:** [*The Castle of Cagliostro*](https://film.one/film/the-castle-of-cagliostro.md) (80) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Sumi Shimamoto > Sumi Shimamoto’s clear, expressive voice can carry a heroine or settle into a small supporting part. We value her warmth in Hayao Miyazaki’s films, with a reservation about how readily reassuring characters can become merely agreeable. The clarity of Sumi Shimamoto’s voice is useful for more than sounding reassuring. She can bring force to it, as her title performance in *Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind* (1984) demonstrates, without losing the directness that makes her easy to listen to. We value that expressiveness in the smaller parts as well. In *My Neighbor Totoro* (1988), she voices Yasuko Kusakabe in a fantasy that gives most of its attention to children. Her work with Hayao Miyazaki began with Lady Clarisse in *The Castle of Cagliostro* (1979), the breakthrough that led to *Nausicaä*. The early heroines established her reputation, but television gave her another substantial part: Kyoko Otonashi in *Maison Ikkoku* (1986), adapted from Rumiko Takahashi. The later work includes mothers, supporting parts and narration, all sensible uses for a voice that communicates feeling so readily. Miyazaki remains the useful guide through those changes, having cast her in four features. *Totoro* makes good use of her suitability for maternal roles, though its adults can seem too agreeable. We were moved by the seriousness Miyazaki gives the children’s discoveries, allowing them time and attention instead of rushing on to the next incident. Shimamoto’s warmth fits that patience, and the film is funny enough to keep its gentleness from becoming a chore. Still, we sometimes want the grown-ups to be less accommodating; the casting cannot fix everything in the writing. *Princess Mononoke* (1997) gives her Toki, another supporting role for Miyazaki, in a much more crowded story. We admire the film’s willingness to treat its human combatants sympathetically, which makes the destruction harder to dismiss as adventure. The creatures and the force of the action are reasons enough to persevere with the busy storytelling. For an introduction to Shimamoto, we would start with *Totoro*; save *Mononoke* for an evening without interruptions. ## Biography Sumi Shimamoto is a Japanese actress and voice actress. Born Sumi Koshikawa on 8 December 1954 in Kōchi, she graduated from the Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music and joined the theatrical troupe Gekidan Seinenza. She has worked as a freelance performer and narrator since the late 1970s. She is known for voice roles in several Studio Ghibli productions, including Lady Clarisse de Cagliostro in *The Castle of Cagliostro* (1979), Nausicaä in *Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind* (1984), Yasuko Kusakabe in *My Neighbor Totoro* (1988) and Toki in *Princess Mononoke* (1997). Other notable credits include Kyoko Otonashi in the series *Maison Ikkoku* and Ishizu Ishtar in *Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters* (2000). She is married to comedian Daisuke Koshikawa. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, behindthevoiceactors.com.* ## On Fi1m (4) - *Princess Mononoke* (1997), Fi1m 88, as Toki (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/princess-mononoke.md) - *My Neighbor Totoro* (1988), Fi1m 89, as Yasuko Kusakabe (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro.md) - *Warriors of the Wind* (1984), Fi1m 85, as Nausicaä (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/warriors-of-the-wind.md) - *The Castle of Cagliostro* (1979), Fi1m 80, as Lady Clarisse de Cagliostro (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-castle-of-cagliostro.md) ## Complete filmography (150) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Until the T-Shirt Dries* (2026), series, as (voice) - *Pokémon: Dragonite and the Special Delivery* (2025), as Hana's Grandmother (voice) - *The Rose of Versailles* (2025), as Madame Jarjayes (voice) - *Let's Go! Anpanman: Baikinman and Lulun* (2024), as (voice) - *Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram* (2024), as Yukiko Kudo (voice) - *The Apothecary Diaries* (2023), series, as Narration (voice) - *The Concierge* (2023), as Laughing Owl (Wife) (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Roboly and the Warming Present* (2023), as (voice) - *Chibi Godzilla Raids Again* (2023), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Detective Conan: The Story of Ai Haibara: Black Iron Mystery Train* (2023), as Yukiko Kudo (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Dororin and the Transformation Carnival* (2022), as Shokupanman (voice) - *Hoshi Shinichi no Fushigina Fushigina Tanpen Dorama* (2022), series, Actor - *Aria the Benedizione* (2021), as Asuka R. Baggio (voice) - *Belle* (2021), as Suzu's Mother (voice) - *Getter Robo Arc* (2021), series, as Ryou Nagare (voice) - *Dayan in Wachifield* (2020), as Dayan (voice) - *Weathering with You* (2019), as Mamiya (voice) - *Anpanman: Twinkle! Princess Vanilla of Ice Cream Land* (2019), as (voice) - *Twilight* (2019), as Satoko Koyama (Sachi's Mother) (voice) - *Ayesha* (2018), Actor - *IRODUKU: The World in Colors* (2018), series, as Kohaku Tsukishiro (60 years later)(voice) - *Natsume's Book of Friends the Movie: Ephemeral Bond* (2018), as Yorie Tsumura (voice) - *Girls' Last Tour* (2017), series, as Eryngii (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Bulbul's Big Treasure Hunt Adventure* (2017), as Shokupanman (voice) - *Detective Conan: Episode One - The Great Detective Turned Small* (2017), as Yukiko Kudo (voice) - *March Comes In Like a Lion* (2016), series, as Mrs. Kouda (voice) - *Hifuu Club Activity Record ~ The Sealed Esoteric History* (2015), series, Actor - *Buddha 2: The Endless Journey* (2014), as Prince Ruri's Mother (voice) - *Hozuki's Coolheadedness* (2014), series, as Mezu (voice) - *Wake Up, Girls! - Seven Idols* (2014), as Mari Shimada (voice) - *Space Dandy* (2014), series, as Alethia (voice) - *Glitter Force* (2012), series, as Royale Queen - *Penguindrum* (2011), series, as Goddess (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Rescue! Kokorin and the Star of Miracles* (2011), as (voice) - *Children Who Chase Lost Voices* (2011), as Risa (voice) - *Mai's Magic and Family Day* (2011), as Yuki Tatsumi (voice) - *Fractale* (2011), series, as Moeran (voice) - *Is This a Zombie?* (2011), series, as Imaginary Eu (voice) - *Anpanman: The Blacknose with Magical Song* (2010), as Shokupanman (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Go! The Exciting Anpanman Grand Prix* (2010), as Shokupanman (voice) - *Gintama: The Movie* (2010), as Okita Mitsuba (voice) - *The Rebirth of Buddha* (2009), as Yamada (voice) - *The Story of the Blue-Eyed Girl* (2009), as Akiko (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Dadandan and the Twin Stars* (2009), as Shokupanman (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Franken-Robo-kun's Surprised Christmas* (2008), as Shokupanman (voice) - *Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens* (2008), series, as Young Shige Kamimori (voice) - *Kiku and the Wolf* (2008), as Mother (voice) - *Ryoko's Case File* (2008), series, Actor - *Porphy's Long Journey* (2008), series, Actor - *Kiddy Grade III: Truth Dawn* (2007), as Padushka - *Lucky Star* (2007), series, as Kanata Izumi (voice) - *Love and Berry Dress Up and Dance! Magic of Happiness* (2007), Actor - *Go! Anpanman: Kokin-chan and the Blue Tears* (2006), as Shokupanman - *Go! Anpanman: Princess Black-Snow and Popular Baikinman* (2005), as Shokupanman - *Sugar Sugar Rune* (2005), series, as Queen Candy - *Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE* (2005), series, as Emeraude (voice) - *Emma: A Victorian Romance* (2005), series, as Aurelia Jones (voice) - *Kurau Phantom Memory* (2004), series, as Kline Sachsman (voice) - *Mermaid's Forest* (2003), series, Actor - *Requiem from the Darkness* (2003), series, as Okichi (voice) - *Avenger* (2003), series, as Westa - *Bonobono: Secret of the Kumomo Tree* (2002), as Bobo-kun's mother - *Detective Conan: The Phantom of Baker Street* (2002), as Irene Adler (voice) - *Seven of Seven* (2002), series, as Mitsuko Suzuki - *I My Me! Strawberry Eggs* (2001), series, as Toko Kuzuha - *One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure* (2001), as Akisu's mother (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Tears of the Mermaid Princess* (2000), as Shokupanman (voice) - *Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters* (2000), series, as Ishizu Ishtar (voice) - *Manga Video Kamen Rider* (1999), as Ruriko Midorikawa - *Go! Anpanman: When the Flower of Courage Opens* (1999), as Shokupanman (voice) - *Gosho Aoyama’s Collection of Short Stories* (1999), Actor - *Hello Kitty's Paradise* (1999), as Kitty and Mimmy’s Mom - *Virgin Fleet* (1998), series, as Shiokaze - *Virgin Fleet* (1998), as Shiokaze Umino - *Princess Nine* (1998), series, as Shino Hayakawa (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: The Pyramid of the Rainbow* (1997), as Shokupanman (voice) - *Soreike! Anpanman: Bokura wa Hero* (1997), as Shokupanman - *Princess Mononoke* (1997), as Toki (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/princess-mononoke.md) - *Jungle de Ikou!* (1997), series, as Rongo (voice) - *Violinist of Hamelin* (1996), series, as Queen Horn (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Baikinman and the 3-"Bai" Punch* (1996), as Shokupanman - *Chocchan's Story* (1996), as Cho Kuroyanagi (voice) - *Fire Emblem* (1996), series, as Elice (voice) - *Detective Conan* (1996), series, Actor - *Sorcerer Hunters* (1995), series, as Big Momma (voice) - *Gin Rei's Blue Eyes* (1995), as Gin Rei (voice) - *Lupin the Third: Greatest Capers* (1995), as Maki Oyamada (voice) - *The Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA* (1994), series, as Miranda (voice) - *The Mighty Gin Rei* (1994), as Gin Rei (voice) - *Tokyo Babylon 2* (1994), as Kiriko Kashiwagi - *Barefoot Gin Rei* (1994), as Gin Rei (voice) - *GinRei* (1994), series, as GinRei - *Lil' Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha* (1994), series, as Urara-enchou - *Ocean Waves* (1993), as Rikako's Father's Lover (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Nosshi the Dinosaur's Big Adventure* (1993), as Shokupanman - *Kawaguchi Kaiji's 9 Love Stories* (1993), as Mayumi (voice) - *Tokyo Babylon* (1992), series, as Kiriko Kashiwagi (voice) - *Mikan Enikki* (1992), series, as 草凪菊子 - *Comet in Moominland* (1992), as Fillyjonk (voice) - *Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still* (1992), series, as Ginrei - *Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still* (1992), as Ginrei - *Prelude Maison Ikkoku: When the Cherry Blossoms Return in the Spring* (1992), as Kyoko Otonashi (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and His Pleasant Friends* (1992), as Shokupanman - *Here Is Greenwood* (1991), series, as Sumire Hasukawa (voice) - *Genji Tsuushin Agedama* (1991), series, as Kiku Kuki (voice), Yamabuki Heike / Kiku Kuki (voice) - *Go! Anpanman: Dokin-chan's Doki Doki Calendar* (1991), as Shokupanman - *Dear Brother* (1991), series, as Rei "Hana no Saint-Just" Asaka - *Madara* (1991), series, as Princess Sakuya (voice) - *Maison Ikkoku: Deserted Island* (1991), as Kyoko Otonashi (voice) - *The Mischievous Twins* (1991), series, as Hilary Wentworth (Voice) - *Valis III* (1990), as Yuuko Asou - *Sore Ike! Anpanman: Minami no Umi wo Sukue!* (1990), Actor - *Go! Anpanman: Baikinman's Counterattack* (1990), as Shokupanman (voice) - *St. Michael Academy* (1990), Actor - *Shuten Doji - The Star Hand Kid* (1989), series, as 白鳥美雪 - *Go! Anpanman: The Shining Star's Tear* (1989), Actor - *Shurato* (1989), series, as Vishnu - *The Adventures of Peter Pan* (1989), series, as Tinkerbell (voice) - *Maison Ikkoku: The Final Chapter* (1988), as Kyoko Otonashi (voice) - *Maison Ikkoku: Through the Passing of the Seasons* (1988), as Kyoko Otonashi - *My Neighbor Totoro* (1988), as Yasuko Kusakabe (voice) — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro.md) - *Lullaby for Wednesday's Cinderella* (1987), as Sonoko - *Hell Target* (1987), as Tiki Kalmak (voice) - *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz* (1986), series, as Dorothy (voice) - *Heart Cocktail* (1986), series, Actor - *The SuperGal* (1986), as Sue (voice) - *Coral Reef Legend: Elfie of the Blue Sea* (1986), as Elfie (voice) - *Over the Rainbow: The Story of Young Diana* (1986), as Diana (voice) - *Animated Classics of Japanese Literature* (1986), series, as Kaoru (voice), (voice) - *Maison Ikkoku* (1986), series, as Kyoko Otonashi (voice) - *Urusei Yatsura: Lum the Forever* (1986), as Asuka Mizunokoji (voice) - *Seito Shokun! Kokoro ni Midori no Neckerchief wo* (1986), as (voice) - *Fire Tripper* (1985), as Suzu Suzuko - *Dream Hunter Rem* (1985), series, as Yōko Takamiya (voice) - *Fight!! Iczer-One* (1985), series, as Sir Violet (voice) - *Ninja Robots* (1985), series, as Romina Ladorio - *Urusei Yatsura: Ryoko's September Tea Party* (1985), as Asuka (voice) - *Urusei Yatsura: Remember My Love* (1985), as Lahla (voice) - *Princess Sarah* (1985), series, as Sarah Crewe - *Warriors of the Wind* (1984), as Nausicaä (voice) — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/warriors-of-the-wind.md) - *Dream Fighter Wingman* (1984), series, as Matsuoka Sensei (voice) - *Unico in the Island of Magic* (1983), as Sheri (voice) - *Mrs. Pepper Pot* (1983), series, as Rury, Den (voice) - *An Ocean to Cross* (1980), Actor - *The Castle of Cagliostro* (1979), as Lady Clarisse de Cagliostro (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-castle-of-cagliostro.md) - *The Ultraman* (1979), series, as Mutsumi Hoshikawa (voice) - *Love in the Mud* (1977), Actor - *Special Crime Investigation Front* (1977), series, as Junko Nakai - *Lupin the 3rd* (1971), series, as Maki Oyamada (voice) - *Heaven-Sent*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Sumi Shimamoto](https://film.one/media/person/87240/gallery-d5d34fa6452e.png) Sumi Shimamoto — Nihonjoe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Sumi_Shimamoto_at_Sakura-Con_2007.png/1280px-Sumi_Shimamoto_at_Sakura-Con_2007.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![A cropped version of Sumi Shimamoto at Sakura-Con 2007.png](https://film.one/media/person/87240/gallery-7680dba554ae.png) A cropped version of Sumi Shimamoto at Sakura-Con 2007.png — User:Nihonjoe, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Sumi_Shimamoto_at_Sakura-Con_2007_Crop.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![A cropped version of Sumi Shimamoto at Sakura-Con 2007.png](https://film.one/media/person/87240/gallery-8d464f3d28b7.png) A cropped version of Sumi Shimamoto at Sakura-Con 2007.png — User:Nihonjoe, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Sumi_Shimamoto_at_Sakura-Con_2007_Crop_%28cropped%29.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Sumi Shimamoto](https://film.one/media/person/87240/gallery-4c8f09638cf9.jpg) Sumi Shimamoto — Image via TMDB - ![Sumi Shimamoto](https://film.one/media/person/87240/gallery-ac32de9bc9d7.jpg) Sumi Shimamoto — Image via TMDB - ![Sumi Shimamoto](https://film.one/media/person/87240/gallery-bed557e66bb0.jpg) Sumi Shimamoto — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Kazue Takahashi Award 2017: Kazue Takahashi 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/sumi-shimamoto