
Kirby's 30th Anniversary Music Fest gave us plenty of surprises yesterday on top of some top-tier renditions of incredible Kirby music, but one of the concert's biggest "wow" moments from a certain guest appearance — Kirby's voice actor.
Yes, Kirby really does have a voice; it's not just a conglomeration of noises! But, even better than that, she's pretty adorable herself. Makiko Ohmoto has been voicing the pink puffball in video games ever since the original Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64 and made her series debut in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. She's played the little guy ever since, and arguably, it's because of her voice that so many people have fallen in love with the character.
Ohmoto appeared at yesterday's concert, and many watching the stream were surprised. But, within seconds, everyone was utterly charmed by her.
It's not that surprising given Kirby's popularity, and just how many people — young and old — enjoy mimicking the character's cute, quirky voice. But knowing that Ohmoto herself is a ray of sunshine has brought a lot of people joy.
Still, people were surprised to see Kirby's voice actor in the flesh, but all she had to do was "do the voice", and she won everyone over.
Some fans took to Twitter to share their shock that Kirby even had a VA, let alone that she was making an appearance at the concert. Ohmoto even sang at the concert, performing a duet of 'Welcome to the New World' from Kirby and the Forgotten Land with Neichel to close out the show. And what a wonderful concert it was.
Of course, Makiko Ohmoto doesn't just voice the pink puffball, and she has several credits on both Nintendo and non-Nintendo games. In the Kirby series, she's provided the voices for Rick and Iro (Kirby: Right Back At Ya!), Queen Sectonia (Kirby: Triple Deluxe), and Susie (Kirby: Planet Robobot). She's also the voice of Ness in the Smash Bros. series, which means you can make her two characters fight each other! And to round off those Nintendo voice credits, she's even voiced Viridi in Kid Icarus: Uprising.
That's not an exhaustive list of her roles on Nintendo games, but she's had plenty of other noticeable credits throughout her career. She's been the long-time voice of Makino from the anime One Piece, and she's also had a reoccurring role in the Samurai Warriors and the Warriors Orochi crossover games. But, most surprisingly, she's the voice of Sayaka Maizono from Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc.
She's a talent and a star, and everyone loves her. It was a lovely surprise seeing her at the concert yesterday.
Further reading
- Kirby's Dream Buffet Rolls Out Worldwide Release Date
- Kirby: Right Back At Ya! Is Getting A Blu-Ray HD Remaster In Japan
How did you feel seeing Kirby's voice actor? Is this the first time you've seen her? Or are you a fan of her in other roles? Let us know!
[source kirby.jp]
Comments 26
I‘m not a native speaker: Is it woke to use the male term actor also for female persons nowadays?
Makiko Ohmoto:
"Hi!"
Steals everyone's hearts
Refuses to elaborate
Leaves
@Max_the_German Actress is exclusively female, but actor is a gender neutral term that can refer to men and women.
@Max_the_German Your question is more nuanced than I originally thought:
https://medium.com/bein-enby/gender-neutral-actor-90f5ff200f4d
In this case, I don't have a definitive answer because a) I'm not familiar with linguistic tendencies in this context in the UK (assuming Alana is English) and b) I don't know if Makiko Otomo herself has a preference either way.
A brilliant voice, both as Kirby and in singing. The national treasure of 2022 and you can't change my mind.
This has enriched my life. It’s like finally meeting my hero.
I would’ve loved a bonus “PK Fire,” but I understand it was not the the time nor the place.
I love it when everyone is surprise a animal like thing has a VA.
The concert was amazing. Also stunning was the General director Shinya Kumazaki providing vocals or "Dedede sounds" for the Dedede segment.
Oh and the trumpet player (Luis Valle) was amazing!! Same for the keyboardist (Mameco)!
Everyone did an AMAZING job. The show was very good and the renditions were awesome.
Is she a phantom thief? Because I think she stole everyone’s hearts.
It's so cool that Kirby's had only one VA! Makiko Otomo is so talented and I hope she continues to voice Kirby for many years to come!
@Max_the_German
If we go by this definition of "actress", it seems irrelevant:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actress
Not that being 'woke' should matter here anyway. the usage of the word is either correct or it is not, regardless of what Twitter says.
If you have someone in your life that watches this and responds with anything but abject joy, a smile and a hearty laugh/giggle, RUN AWAY
NINJA APPROVED
@Max_the_German in English male language is the default, meaning that actor can be used to refer to a male actor or as an all encompassing term which would include actresses. Part of the reason in the 70s and 80s there was such a big push by women to be known by terms that match biology (careerwoman, handywoman). Or to use actual neutral language such as person. Because unless one is using female language then when using male neutral language then the assumption first for an unseen person is that it’s a dude (even slang does this as most forget it used to be dude and dudette). Now we have sorta gone back to male as the default is neutral again. Or ignoring biology when describing people as a workaround. Like pregnant people when it is physically impossible for a male to get pregnant (hence the reproductive definitions of female and male). Just makes it easier to ignore females via language.
@Max_the_German Well woke is a meaningless term in the first place so I'd say there is no answer to that question.
So wholesome!
TOTES ADORBS OVERLOAD!!
@link3710 “nooooooo you’re assuming genders that’s sexist and uncalled for!”😭😭😢
(This is a joke lol, I actually agree with your statement.)
Awwwww! It warms my cold, dead heart!
@Max_the_German Another friendly tip from a native English speaker: "woke" is a meaningless, overused buzzword that has lost all credible meaning. It's perfectly fine to just say "actor" to describe any screen, stage or vocal performer. 😉 I've personally always done this for 30+ years, as we don't say "Doctoress" or "Plumberess" for those professions.
@Greatluigi She has Kirby's abilities too. Kirby throws hearts at his enemies in Kirby Star Allies, so she secretly threw all the hearts at the crowd
Joking aside, i'm happy that she appear on stage to say hi to all of her fans.
@Aozz101x EYYYY that’s a good one! Take my like! 😁
Poyo 👏👏👏👏
(Blah blah character limit)
The concert was a blast, and seeing Makiko Ohmoto appear on stage was 😍!
My goodness, it isn't even pitch bent. She literally has the voice.
That is awesome.
Removed - flaming/arguing
Her name was on the promotion image, guess not many people read it! I didn't know she sang though, very pleasant 😊
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