Kikuko Inoue

Kikuko Inoue is a Japanese voice actress, singer and narrator whose career has been closely associated with anime, video games and character music since the late 1980s. Born in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, she became known for a warm, elegant vocal style and for roles that often emphasize poise, kindness or mature authority, while also taking a wide range of comic, dramatic and antagonist parts. She has worked as a performer, recording artist and narrator, and is the founder and head of the voice-acting office Office Anemone.

Inoue's breakthrough and best-known roles include Kasumi Tendo in Ranma ½ and Belldandy in Ah! My Goddess, two characters that helped define her public image among anime audiences. She also voiced Mizuho Kazami in Please Teacher!, Sanae Furukawa in Clannad, Lust in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, I-No in the Guilty Gear series, Kirumi Tojo in Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony and many other characters across television, original video animation, films and games. Her credits in the database also include Please Teacher!, Ikki Tousen, Battle Doll: Angelic Layer, Claymore and later anime and game-related projects.

Alongside acting, Inoue has participated in music projects, including the groups DoCo and Goddess Family Club, and released character and solo recordings. She is also known in fan culture for her recurring comic claim to be “17,” a long-running self-deprecating gag that became part of her public persona at events and on her official materials. Inoue has received industry recognition, including Best Supporting Actress at the 4th Seiyu Awards and the Kazue Takahashi Award at the 10th Seiyu Awards, the latter honoring performers who broaden the voice-acting profession across media. Her longevity and broad body of work have made her one of the most recognizable veteran performers in Japanese voice acting.