Written by The anime world has said goodbye to another beloved voice. Yukiko Nikaido, the actress and voice actress best known as the original voice of Fujiko Mine in Lupin the 3rd, has passed away at the age of 87. Her family confirmed that she died peacefully of old age on July 3, with the news being shared publicly on July 17.
Although she worked in many fields throughout her long career, Nikaido will always hold a special place in anime history. Her performance as Fujiko Mine helped shape one of anime’s most iconic female characters and introduced generations of fans to the world of Lupin the 3rd.
Yukiko Nikaido’s Son Announces Her Passing on Facebook
The news of Yukiko Nikaido’s death was shared by her son, Sosuke Yagyu, through a heartfelt Facebook post. He revealed that his mother, whose real name was Kazuko Yagyu, passed away peacefully on July 3 at the age of 87 due to old age (via Yatsugatake Club on Facebook)
In his message, Yagyu said his mother had been living in a care home for the last 13 years. He thanked the staff for looking after her with kindness and care, adding that she was able to spend her final years in peace and happiness because of them. According to her son:
My mother deeply loved the passion and works of the artists.
Nikaido was also known as a very happy and positive person with great love for beautiful things. While Nikaido was well known as an actress and voice actress, she was also the first president of Yatsugatake Club. It was also revealed by her son that Nikaido’s love for art, tea, and nature helped to create what this club is all about. She supported many artists as she bought paintings from them and held exhibitions for them, while developing long-lasting friendships with them.
The family held a private funeral on July 7. While they do not plan to organize a public memorial service, visitors can pay their respects at the “Ryuan” space inside Yatsugatake Club for the rest of the year. Yagyu ended his message by thanking everyone who supported his mother during her lifetime and said he likes to believe she has now reunited with her late husband, Hiroshi Yagyu, and their late son, Shingo Yagyu.
Yukiko Nikaido’s voice helped make Lupin the 3rd unforgettable
For anime fans, Yukiko Nikaido will always be remembered as the very first voice of Fujiko Mine in Lupin the 3rd Part I, which aired in 1971. Long before Fujiko became one of anime’s most famous female characters, Nikaido brought her to life with a charming, confident, and mysterious performance that helped define the character from the very beginning.
Fujiko Mine from a still. | Credit: TMS Entertainment
While Lupin the 3rd remains her best-known anime role, Nikaido also had a successful career in acting and Japanese dubbing. She appeared in live-action productions and voiced characters for several overseas films released in Japan. Her work reached audiences across different generations and showed her versatility as a performer.
With Yukiko Nikaido’s passing, another important chapter in anime history comes to an end. Her voice introduced fans to the original Fujiko Mine and helped make Lupin the 3rd the classic it is today. Even decades later, her performance continues to be remembered by longtime fans of the franchise.
TitleLupin the 3rd Part IRelease Year1971Anime Rating (IMDb)7.8 / 10Where to WatchCrunchyroll
Now the big question: What is your favorite Fujiko Mine moment from Lupin the 3rd, and how will you remember Yukiko Nikaido’s legacy? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Lupin the 3rd Part I is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
