Tomoko Kawakami (April 25, 1970 – June 9, 2011) was a Japanese voice actress. Having graduated from the Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music, she was affiliated with Production Baobab at the time of her death. Her roles in Nintendo are largely from the Pokémon series.
Biography[]
Kawakami was born on April 25, 1970, in Tokyo, Japan, and became a voice actress as an adult. Her voice acting career started in 1994, and she got her first major role two years later. Kawakami was often typecast into roles in paranormal and yuri anime. She joined the Pokémon anime during the original series, with her most notable roles being Violet, one of Misty's older sisters; and Pokémon Contest announcer Marian. She also voiced Ivysaur and Gardevoir in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. On August 19, 2008, she underwent surgery after admitting herself to a hospital for ovarian cancer. As a result, Kawakami was given a 20-month sick leave. During a three-year battle with cancer, most of her ongoing roles were replaced by other voice actresses, although the latter was able to do some voice work until her retirement in the start of the 2010s decade. Kawakami died on June 9, 2011. Satsuki Yukino took over all of Kawakami's roles during this time and after her death, while Inuko Inuyama took over the role of Ivysaur in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
