# Tarako

Tarako (たらこ, Tarako, December 17, 1960 – March 4, 2024) was a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer. Her debut role was as a preschooler on Urusei Yatsura. She was better known as the voice of Momoko "Maruko" Sakura, the titular character in the long-running anime series Chibi Maruko-chan from its debut in 1990 until its conclusion in 1992 and its subsequent revival, which premiered in 1995 and continues to air as of today. She was employed by the talent management firm Troubadour Musique Office.
Following her death in March 2024, Kokoro Kikuchi took over the role of Maruko in Chibi Maruko-chan after the show resumed from its month-long hiatus on April 21 of that year.

## Death

Tarako died on March 4, 2024, at the age of 63. Tarako continued voice acting while battling an illness but her condition worsened. Her death was announced by Fuji Television and Nippon Animation, the producers of Chibi Maruko-chan as well as her agency Troubadour five days later. According to the show's staff in a eulogy, she was eager to continue voicing the character in the hospital ward until the very end and faced Chibi Maruko-Chan with great love. The following day, a message board was placed up at Chibi-Maruko Chan Land in Shizuoka for guests to write messages to thank her with her contributions to the franchise. Her last episode as Maruko aired as a one-hour special on March 24th of that year on Fuji TV and other FNS stations.

## Filmography
### Animation
#### Television

* Fushigi na Koala Blinky (Mark)
* Anpanman (Frankenrobo)
* Chibi Maruko-chan (Momoko Sakura – Marukochan, both 1990 and 1995 incarnations, until 2024)
* Coji-Coji (Suzie)
* Combat Mecha Xabungle (Chill)
* Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School (Monokuma)
* Ganbare, Kickers! (Taichi Ohta)
* Hunter × Hunter (1999) (Melody)
* Kaiju No. 8 (as the parasite)
* Kimba the White Lion (Lulu, other voices)
* Kindaichi Case Files (Asuka Minatoya)
* Magical Taruruto-kun (Taruruto)
* Meitantei Kageman (Kageman)
* Mikan Enikki (Mikan)
* Mushiking: King of the Beetles (Chibi King)
* NG Knight Ramune & 40 (Hebimetako)
* Nichijou (Plus-screw at episode 16)
* Noir (Altena)
* Patlabor: The TV Series (Tamiko Shinshi)
* Pluster World (Maurie)
* Trigun Stampede (Zazie the Beast)
* Urusei Yatsura (Sugar, preschooler, Sakura's Mother, Additional Voices)
* VS Knight Ramune & 40 Fire (Hebimetako)
* Urusei Yatsura (2022) (Wishing Star)
* Kaiju No. 8 (Mysterious Young Beast)

#### Original video animation (OVA)

* Hunter × Hunter OVA (Melody)
* NG Kishi Ramune & 40 DX (Hebimetako)
* NG Kishi Ramune & 40 EX (Hebimetako)

#### Films

* Castle in the Sky (Madge)
* My Neighbor Totoro (friend B)
* Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (boy)
* They Were 11 (Toto)
* Xabungle Graffiti (Chill)
* Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction (Debeko)

### Commercials

* Seiko Epson Colorio (Narration)

### Drama CDs

* Eiyū Densetsu III: Shiroki Majo "Wakatareta Mizuumi" (Ban Ban)
* Kaze no Densetsu Xanadu II: Heroine-tachi no Tanjōbi (Kururu)
* Popful Mail Paradise 4–5 (Nairu)
* Tarako Pappara Paradise (Tarako-neesan, Kururu, Nairu, Ban Ban, Obāsan

### Live action
#### Films

* Tsuribaka Nisshi 3

### Video games

* 2nd Super Robot Wars Z: Hakai-Hen (Chill)
* Chibi Maruko-chan: Maruko Deluxe Quiz (Momoko "Maruko" Sakura)
* Chibi Maruko-chan: Mezase! Minami no Island!! (Momoko "Maruko" Sakura)
* Chibi Maruko-chan no Taisen Puzzle Dama (Momoko "Maruko" Sakura)
* Chibi Maruko-chan: Maruko Enikki World (Momoko "Maruko" Sakura)
* Chibi Maruko-chan DS Maru-chan no Machi (Momoko "Maruko" Sakura)
* Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams (PC Engine version) (Nata de Cotton)
* Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (Monokuma)
* Inuyasha (Kirara)
* Magical Taruruto-kun (Mega Drive version) (Taruruto, listed as Taluluto)
* Momotarō Dōchūki (Chibi Bonbī)
* One Piece: Unlimited World Red (Pato)
* Sakura Momoko Gekijō Koji Koji (Sūjī)
* Super Bomberman: Panic Bomber W
* Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden (Chill)
* Super Robot Wars NEO (Hebimetako)
* Super Robot Wars OE: Operation Extend (Hebimetako)
* Super Robot Wars Z (Chill)
* Tail Concerto (Panta)
* Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward (Zero III)

### Radio

* Tarako Falcom Pīhyarara

### Other voiceover

Fuji TV
* The Judge! Tokusuru Hōritsu File "Korette Tsumi Janai no" segment (Narration)
* Naruhodo! The World (Reporter)
* Quiz & Game Tarō to Hanako (Host)
NHK Educational
* Okome (Narration)
TBS
* Shiawase Kazoku Keikaku (Narration)
TV Asahi
* Zenigata Kintarō (Narration)
Other
* Chibi Maruko-chan (Screenplay director)
* Noozles (Theme song performance)

## Discography

Listed chronologically.

### Albums

* Totte Oki no Shunkan (1983)
* Kaze ga Chigau (1984)
* Warawanai Koibito (1985)
* Kokuhaku (1985)
* Sukoshi Dake Ai ga Tarinai (1986)
* Anata ga Daisuki (1990)
* Kanojo (1991)
* My dear (1991)
* Tengoku yori Takai Toko Ikō yo (1993)
* Wāi. (1995)