'Orient' Anime Voice Actor Yōko Hikasa Diagnosed With COVID-19

Amid the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Japan, a popular voice actor has tested positive. On Saturday, voice actress Yōko Hikasa, managed by talent agency I’m Enterprise, complained that she wasn’t feeling well. On the very same day, she took an antigen test confirming her viral infection.

A Couple Of Cuckoos Anime Voice Artist Tests COVID Positive

Later on, her talent management agency officially announced her diagnosis on their website. As per Anime News Network, the voice artist is currently on complete bed rest under the guidance of a local healthcare center.

[Source: YouTube]

Currently, the voice actress is voicing several characters in different anime series and movies that include:

Kuroko Usami in Orient
Emi Yusa in The Devil Is A Part-Timer!!
RiN in Extreme Hearts
Kiyosumi Shirakawa in Call Of The Night
Weiss Schnee in RWBY: Ice Queendom
Namie Umino in A Couple Of Cuckoos
Hizuru Minakata in Summer Time Rendering

Hisaka became interested in anime voice acting after drawing inspiration from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion and Sailor Moon. Soon after, she attended a voice actor training school named Nihon Narration Engi Kenkyujo to polish her skills. Later on, the 37-year-old also formed a pop music group named Ro-Kyu-Bu! with Yuka Iguchi, Kana Hanazawa, Yui Ogura, and Rina Hidaka.

One Piece Film: Red Voice Actor Hiraku Midorikawa Cancels Event

However, Hisaka isn’t the only one from the anime voice-acting community who was diagnosed with COVID-19. Voice actor Hiraku Midorikawa is also on a hiatus from his commitments after his COVID-19 diagnosis on Monday. Popular talent agency Aoni Production which manages the famed voice actor confirmed this news. He was feverish on Sunday, after which he tested positive the next day.

[Source: YouTube]

Citing his health, his appearance for the ‘SSSS.GRIDMANxSSSS.DYNAZENON Special Night’ was canceled. He was supposed to attend the stage event on Friday at the Ultra Heroes Expo 2022. Hiraku lent his voice to Hongo, a character from the recently released movie One Piece Film: Red. Apart from this, he is also the voice for the character Leopold Camus de Charpentier in the anime The Prince Of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup.

Hiraku is a Japanese voice artist who hails from Otawara, Tochigi. He is popular for lending his voice in movies and anime series that include:

Softon in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
Seiran Shi in Saiunkoku Monogatari
Tamahome in Fushigi Yugi
Heero Yuy in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
Gridman in Gridman The Hyper Agent

[Source: YouTube]

He is among the most popular & prolific voice actors in Japan, with 200+ anime credits & 70 game credits spanning over two decades. The 54-year-old has also voiced Tsunagu Hakamada in My Hero Academia.

Have you seen any of these anime series/movies with characters voiced by these artists? Share your thoughts in the comments!