Megumi Hayashibara

Megumi Hayshibara is a true heavyweight of anime. Her resumé is a who's who of various anime series as well as a handful of great songs by her. It almost seems like she's been in everywhere in anime and elsewhere. The (born March 30, 1967)-year old native of Tokyo, Japan just makes you wonder- is there anything in anime or music you HAVEN'T done? This blog post is about anime staple and heavyweight... the one, the only, Megumi Hayashibara.

--- Megumi Hayashibara ---

This was the best I could find to introduce you to Megumi-san:


^ from: www.askactor.com - Megumi Hayashibara basically ruled the '90s (and even the 2000s) in anime and anime music- she was seemingly EVERYWHERE!

Megumi Hayshibara has lent her voice to many songs and media. That even includes her work in the Ranma 1/2 series (which is my all-time favorite anime) among MANY other roles. I have even heard a lot of Megumi's musical work as well. A number of songs compliment some of the many different anime and video game series she's involved in. When away from her many singing and voice acting roles, she's a fully-registered nurse. According to what I read, she was never hired as a nurse for any position. Megumi also used to be a DJ while in nursing school. However, her career didn't last very long as a DJ despite having her own radio show. She's even authored a manga biography called "Megumi-Toons," but the artwork was done by someone else. To all the petite ladies who may be reading this- she's one of yours! Megumi Hayashibara stands all of 5'1"!

Megumi Hayashibara: Voice Overs.

Megumi has taken on many roles. I will name only so many of them because she has taken on so many roles, so here are some of the different roles and characters she has lent voices to:

[Some of] Megumi's many voice roles (sources: Anime News Network, IMDb, and Wikipedia)
* Ranma Saotome in "Ranma 1/2"(when Ranma is a girl)
* Rei Ayanami of "Neon Genesis Evangelion"
* Momoko Sakurayama of "Patlabor: The TV Series"
* Musashi/Jessie (of Team Rocket) in the "Pokémon series ("Team Rocket's blasting off again!" *ding* ^_^)
* Faye Valentine of Cowboy Bebop (LOVE Cowboy Bebop!)
* Haruka Urashima in "Love Hina"
* Diddy Kong in the Japanese version of "Donkey Kong Country" (I didn't know that)
* Fukumen, Genkai (young) from "YuYu Hakusho"
* Lina Inverse from "Slayers"
* Hello Kitty in "Hello Kitty Ringo no Mori no Fantasy"
* Latias, Gardevoir in "Super Smash Bros. Brawl"

Most of her work in voice-overs has landed her with some of the biggest roles in some of the biggest series. This alone is proof that people have (1) given her a chance, (2) become so well-liked that she took on so many roles, and (3) has really established herself as a heavyweight in the industry.

Megumi Hayashibara: Music.

When she debuted in music in 1990, she made a single called "Pulse." Her first album was released a year later called "Half and Half." The following YouTube videos demonstrate Megumi Hayashibara and her singing:


^ "Give me a Reason" (1996, "Slayers Next")


^ "Sakura Saku" (2000, "Love Hina")


^ "Oversoul" (Opening to Shaman King)


Megumi Hayashibara supplements her voice to this lovely remix of "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" from Neon Genesis Evangelion:


I don't watch as much anime as I would like to. However, Cruel Angel Thesis looks very cool from another video I saw when preparing this blog post. Two of my all-time favorite series in sci-fi robotic fighting are Mobile Suit Gundam and Macross Plus.


This is Hayashibara Megumi rocking out live with "Northern Lights" below:



Again- Megumi Hayashibara has seemingly been everywhere. Her music is as popular as many of her voice over roles.

--- What I Would Tell Megumi Hayashibara (if she read this) ---

Megumi Hayashibara, you have basically defined excellence in music and in your many voiceover roles. All kinds of roles and all kinds of success. You HAVE to be in some sort of Hall of Fame or have some sort of lifetime acheivement award or something for your work. I think even anyone who is even remotely fond of anime has to appreciate your work and all the various roles you've taken throughout your career. You have my full respect for your amazing work throughout your entire career.

Would I Want to Meet Megumi Hayashibara (if given the chance)?

Megumi is Japanese media royalty to me, so absolutely!





Anywhere. Everywhere. There seemed like nothing Megumi Hayashibara couldn't do. I have so much respect for her and all of her work. You know you want more Megumi! :) Here are some more links to help you to learn more about Megumi Hayashibara. Feel free to help yourself here:

* Megumi House on King Records (official) (Japanese)
* Megumi Hayashibara on Anime News Network
* Megumi Hayashibara on IMDb
* Megumi Hayashibara on My Anime List
* Megumi-Toons: a Manga Biography of Megumi Hayashibara!
* [Unofficial] Megumi Hayashibara Facebook fan page
* Wikipedia Page on Megumi Hayashibara


All things Megumi Hayashibara on Amazon:







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