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Miyoko Asou Steps Down From Sazae-san Role of Fune After 46 Years

The staff of the long-running Sazae-san anime announced on Friday that Miyoko Asō will step down from her role as Sazae's mother Fune Isono, after 46 years of voicing the character. She will be replaced by Yorie Terauchi. Asou will voice the character in two more episodes of the show, which Fuji TV will air on Sunday and on September 27, just shy of the show's 46th anniversary on October 5. Terauchi will play Fune starting in the October 4 episode.

Terauchi commented on taking the new role, "I'm very nervous about the prospect, and hope that, as the second Fune, I can properly inherit the role that Asou built up these past 46 years of a model Japanese mother, beloved by the Japanese people."

In addition, the "Arigatō 45-shūnen! Minna no Sazae-san Ten" (Thanks for 45 Years! Everyone's Sazae-san Exhibit) touring exhibition will arrive on Friday at the Matsuzakaya branch in Ueno. During the exhibition, Asou will portray Fune in the "Welcome to the Isono House!" segment.

The Sazae-san anime series is currently the longest running anime series in history. The series launched on Fuji TV on October 5, 1969. The anime is based on Machiko Hasegawa's manga of the same name, which she launched on April 22, 1946, and ended in 1974. The anime regularly tops the ratings for TV animation in Japan.

Source: Comic Natalie