Mayumi Tanaka, 71, Jokes She’ll Keep Voice Acting “For About 10 More Years” — Says Playing Turbo Granny Means She’s “Now a Granny in Every Sense”

The Seiyu Awards, Japan’s biggest annual event honoring voice actors, held its 20th ceremony in Tokyo on March 15. Mayumi Tanaka was among the recipients of the Best Supporting Voice Actor award, recognized for her performance as Turbo Granny in the anime Dandadan.

During her speech, Tanaka immediately drew laughter from the audience by referencing the character she played.

“I’ve now truly become a granny in both name and reality,” she joked, making light of her role as Turbo Granny.

She continued with humor and gratitude.

“I’m very happy to have been given a role that suits me perfectly. I probably won’t live as long as Mako san, Masako Nozawa, but I’ll keep doing my best for about another ten years! Thank you very much today!”

Her lively speech, filled with jokes and warmth, delighted the audience until the very end.

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