Photo/Illutration Takako Sasuga, third from the right and who provides Tara-chan’s voice, is seen along with other voice actors for characters on the animated TV show “Sazae-san” at a studio in Tokyo in 2004. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

When I was a child, I would watch the popular animated TV show “Sazae-san” every Sunday evening.

My memories of such Sunday evenings, when I felt a mix of relaxation like I was on a holiday and the gloomy feeling knowing I would have to go to school the next day, tasted like “ramune” soda.

I remember the cheerful laughter of Sazae-san’s family.

Have you noticed that the voice of Tara-chan, Sazae-san’s son and a beloved character of the series, which has been running for more than half a century, changed last month as he introduced himself saying, “My name is Tarao Fuguta, I’m 3 years old”?

That is because voice actor Takako Sasuga, who provided Tara-chan’s voice for decades, died.

I recently met Rikako Aikawa, 55, who was quickly selected as the second voice actor for Tara-chan. In a rather impolite question, I asked Aikawa what kind of personality she planned to give to Tara-chan through her new role.

“I will respect and cherish the Tara-chan fostered by Sasuga and play the role as carefully as I can to avoid destroying the public image,” said the veteran voice actor.

I also asked her if she was interested in giving her own voice to the Tara-chan character.

“No, I want Tara-chan to remain unchanged. I hope people will forget as soon as possible that the voice actor has changed,” she said.

We tend to think that it is good to try to change, but I felt her answers showed that working to try not to change things can be important sometimes as well. Is it pretentious to say this is how precious it is that today is like yesterday and tomorrow will be like today?

April is the season for people to begin a new chapter in life. While some must be feeling excited about starting at a new school or new workplace, others must be feeling anxious about a nebulous uncertainty surrounding their future.

Tara-chan may be encouraging such people by saying, in that familiar voice, “Don’t worry. We will be here forever.”

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 2

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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