The official websites for the CHIBI MARUKO-CHAN series, as well as Nippon Animation, announced today that voice actor Kokoro Kikuchi (Sarada Uchiha in BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS) is now cast as the leading role of Momoko “Maruko” Sakura in the long-running CHIBI MARUKO-CHAN TV anime. Kikuchi replaces Maruko’s previous voice actor, TARAKO, who passed away in March at the age of 63. TARAKO previously provided the voice of Maruko for 34 years since the debut of the first TV anime adaptation in 1990.Kikuchi’s first episode as Maruko will air on Sunday, April 21 in Japan. Kikuchi previously guest-starred on CHIBI MARUKO-CHAN as “Ohana-chan” in “Maruko, Yurei wo Tasukeru” (“Maruko, Helping Ghosts”), an episode that aired on August 12, 2018.
Based on the original manga by Momoko Sakura, CHIBI MARUKO-CHAN is produced by animation studio Nippon Animation. The series has broadcast, in its current iteration, on Japanese TV since 1995. Crunchyroll currently streams the CHIBI MARUKO-CHAN TV anime and describes the series:
Meet Maruko, a sweet schoolgirl with a hefty dose of curiosity (and occasional laziness!). She sails through life in a cozy town alongside her loving parents, grandparents, and sister. Maruko has a band of loyal friends, including her closest pal, Tama-chan, but her playful and doting grandpa is at the heart of it all. Life is never dull in this charming series.
Source: CHIBI MARUKO-CHAN Official Website, Nippon Animation
