Rei Sakuma Reflects on 37 Years as Batako-san at Seiyu Awards: “I’ve Been Throwing My Face to Anpanman for 37 Years”

The Seiyu Awards, Japan’s biggest event honoring voice actors, held its 20th annual ceremony in Tokyo on March 15. The Kei Tomiyama and Kazue Takahashi Award was presented to Shinichiro Kamio and Rei Sakuma.

Sakuma is widely known for voicing Batako-san in the long running anime Soreike! Anpanman. At the beginning of her speech, she drew laughter from the audience with a humorous remark.

“I’ve been throwing my face to Anpanman for 37 years,” she said, referring to Batako-san’s iconic role of tossing Anpanman a freshly baked face.

She then reflected on her long career.

“I’ve been working in the entertainment industry for 44 years. What I always keep in mind is to love the role. Even villains have something lovable about them. When you approach a role that way, love naturally enters the voice.”

She continued:
“Words can lie. But the voice reveals who the person truly is. That’s why I always try to deliver my performances with love. Receiving this award reminded me that I must take responsibility for my voice. I feel that I’ve finally earned the title of ‘voice actor.’ Thank you very much.”

The Seiyu Awards have been held every March since 2007, honoring voice actors who have achieved remarkable success during the year as well as veteran performers who have made long lasting contributions to the industry. The ceremony brings together many of the most prominent figures in voice acting and is considered one of the industry’s most prestigious events.

Winners of the 20th Seiyu Awards

■Best Lead Voice Actor
Kikunosuke Toya
Shion Wakayama

Best Supporting Voice Actor
Reina Ueda
Shinji Kawada
Mayumi Tanaka

Best New Voice Actor
Taihi Kimura
Taiga Takano
Momoka Terasawa
Yoshinori Nakayama
Hana Hishikawa
Minori Fujidera
Haruna Mikawa
Manatsu Murakami

Singing Award
AiScReam

Personality Award
Yoko Hikasa

Merit Award
Aruno Tahara
Keiko Yokozawa

Synergy Award
The Idolmaster series

Kei Tomiyama and Kazue Takahashi Award
Shinichiro Kamio
Rei Sakuma

Kids and Family Award
Lilo & Stitch cast

Foreign Film and Drama Award
Matsuya Onoe
Maaya Sakamoto
Mutsumi Tamura

Game Award
Fate Grand Order cast

MVS (Most Valuable Seiyu selected by fans)
Akira Ishida

Special Achievement Award
Honoring voice actors who passed away during the year

Special Award
Nami Mizuno

Source : ORICON NEWS