You Inoue

You Inoue was born Yumi Shitsukawa in Tokyo's Shinagawa ward in 1946. Her childhood was spent near the Meguro River, where she loved to play outdoors and get messy.

Initially dreaming of becoming a schoolteacher, she was swept up by her passion for modern dance during her early years. She showed an early talent for academics, swimming, and singing, frequently becoming the star of school festivals.

Despite her vibrant school life, her grades suffered in high school except in physical education, music, and Japanese—a realization that led her to pursue acting.

She attended Tokyo Metropolitan Yashio High School and was accepted into Waseda University’s Department of Psychology. During university, she developed a strong foundation in theater as a member of a drama group, which involved rigorous daily training.

After graduation, she briefly joined the Waseda Small Theater but left after a year, feeling the group didn’t suit her personality.

You Inoue’s professional debut was as Alice in "Seton Animal Chronicles: The Bear Cub Jackie." Although she initially found anime work daunting, she embraced voice acting and quickly became a staple in the industry.

She was known for performing both intellectual female roles and rambunctious young boys. Notable characters include Sayla Mass in "Mobile Suit Gundam," Ran in "Urusei Yatsura," and Osomatsu in "Osomatsu-kun."

Besides her anime work, she also wrote scripts for television shows—drawing from her experience writing scripts for her own on-air programs. She contributed to shows like "Owarai Atama no Taiso" and "Quiz Derby," and even helped create quiz questions.

Outside of voice work, she was also a student of modern dance and performed on prestigious stages such as the National Theatre.

In addition, You Inoue had a career as a fortune teller, using the name Ray Hoshiko, and was known for making eerily accurate predictions about celebrities and other entertainers.

Her career was interrupted in the mid-1980s when she took a 15-month solo trip through India and five other countries. This journey was a period of personal growth and adventure, after which she returned to acting with new energy.

Sadly, Inoue's career was cut short due to illness. In 2001, she was diagnosed with cancer, battled the disease bravely, but passed away in February 2003 due to pulmonary edema. Her final anime work was as Sayla Mass in the GameCube title "Mobile Suit Gundam: Senshitachi no Kiseki," which included a tribute to her from the game staff.

You Inoue was married to a classical guitarist in 1970, but the marriage ended after nearly eight years due to her husband's infidelity. She spoke positively about the experience later, viewing it as a valuable lesson.

In her later years, while in India, she met Peter, an Austrian man who became her second husband. After his death, she traveled to Austria for a memorial, during which her own health declined and her cancer was discovered. Their ashes were scattered together at Peter’s favorite castle in Austria.

Despite being petite and looking young for her age—often mistaken for a child even into her late twenties—Inoue was known for her bright, intellectual, and proactive nature.

She had a knack for hospitality, frequently making food for her studio colleagues. Her homemade, extra-spicy curry was legendary among fellow voice actors.

She was deeply passionate about travel, often acting on a whim to visit new places. Her long stay in India led her to leave several ongoing regular roles, including Ran in "Urusei Yatsura."

As a fortune teller, her predictions about celebrities were renowned, and she gave stage name advice to fellow entertainer Masatō Ibu, who later partially credited her for his career change.

• Inoue never made mistakes during her recordings, impressing even seasoned colleagues like Shuuichi Ikeda (voice of Char Aznable).
• She was affectionately called "Alteisia" by Ikeda, referencing her famous role.
• Inoue held a great fondness for the NHK puppet show "Children’s Puppet Theater," enjoying its creative, child-centered storytelling.
• She also did dubbing for foreign films and TV dramas, lending her voice to actresses such as Sally Field and characters in "Top Gun" and "Men in Black."
• Inoue’s sense of humor and kindness left a warm impression on fellow actors, who fondly remembered her support during difficult times.
• After her passing, her roles were succeeded by others, but her unique warmth and energy remained unmatched.

You Inoue was also skilled in sewing and cooking, and had a strong sense of aesthetic and craftsmanship. She authored a travel book titled "Nanyou Ja Bijin" based on her adventures in the South Seas.

Even after death, her legacy lives on through the many characters she brought to life and the lives she touched with her vibrant spirit.