Pokémon fans mourn the loss of Cynthia’s voice actress Tomo Sakurai

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As a dedicated fan, I’m saddened to share that Tomo Sakurai, the exceptional voice behind Pokémon’s beloved character Cynthia, has passed away at the age of 53 due to cancer. The community’s spirit is evident as fans pour out heartfelt tributes online, honoring her incredible contributions to the world of Pokémon and beyond.

Sadly, Tomo Sakurai, a beloved voice actress known for her role as Cynthia in Pokémon, passed away at the age of 53 after a long battle with cancer that affected multiple organs. Despite undergoing treatment, she ultimately succumbed to her illness. Her performances were instrumental in shaping many fans’ childhood experiences.

Tomo Sakurai career

Tomo Sakurai, born in Chiba, Japan in 1971, kick-started her career by taking part in various anime series such as Dragon League (as Princess Wina), Yamato 2520 (Marcie Shima), Macross 7 (Mylene Flare Jenius), Shakugan No Shana (Chigusa Sakai), Gintama (Hinowa), Attack on Titan (Grisha’s wife), among others. However, it was her role as Cynthia in Pokémon that truly set her apart. Her final contribution was lending her voice to Mayfair Jones in the video game Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero.

As a dedicated admirer, I’d put it this way: Following a short hiatus from voice acting in 2016 due to health issues, Sakurai came back with a vengeance in 2019, pouring her talents into anime once more. Unfortunately, her condition worsened over time.

The voice actress was battling cancer that had spread to various organs. As her health deteriorated, she was admitted to the hospital as an emergency. She has been hospitalized since August 4th, yet her symptoms persisted without improvement. Sadly, Tomo passed away at the age of 53, a fact confirmed by her agency.

Public memorial

Her office conveyed sincere thanks for the overwhelming show of affection. While her funeral is planned as a private event, they mentioned that a potential public tribute for fans could be arranged at a future time. Tomo Sakurai has been affectionately remembered on social media for portraying Cynthia, with fans praising her skills and the happiness she spread among Pokémon lovers for years.

Tomo Sakurai, who had been battling multiple organ cancer for some time, was admitted to the hospital on August 4 due to deteriorating health issues. Unfortunately, despite medical intervention, her condition didn’t improve and she passed away peacefully on August 13.

We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation for the numerous messages of support and encouragement Tomo received throughout her life. She always stayed hopeful and worked tirelessly alongside us in pursuit of a complete recovery. It is incredibly sad and unfortunate that things didn’t turn out as we had all hoped, and we are deeply sorrowful. To those who stood by her and offered unwavering support, we offer our sincerest apologies.

The funeral will be a private affair attended only by close family members. We kindly ask you to refrain from inquiring or requesting interviews about the funeral. There may be a farewell gathering for fans at a later date, which we are considering.

Notice of Tomo Sakurai’s Passing

Fans planning to attend the TOMO Summer 2025 Live! concert featuring Tomo Sakurai on August 17 will receive a refund from the organizers for their tickets.

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2025-08-16 18:16