Risa Shimizu (actress)

2.1. Birth and Family Background

Born on September 9, 1988, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Risa Shimizu was introduced to the entertainment industry at an exceptionally early age. At just ten months old, she was scouted to work as a baby model, marking her initial steps into the public eye. This early exposure included participating in still photography, setting the stage for her future career.

2.2. Education and Early Acting Career

Shimizu pursued higher education at Kunitachi College of Music, specializing in the Vocal Music Department. Parallel to her academic pursuits, her performing arts journey continued from childhood. At the age of four, influenced by her parents, she joined the Gekidan Himawari theatre company. As a child actress, she primarily focused on live-action roles in period dramas and stage plays, where she honed her acting skills.

2.3. Transition to Voice Acting

The shift to voice acting began for Risa Shimizu in 1999. Her debut in the field was through her participation in the Japanese dub of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, marking a pivotal moment in her career trajectory. This experience broadened her professional scope beyond live-action roles, leading her to increasingly engage in voice work for various animated and dubbed productions.

3.1. Voice Acting

Shimizu's voice acting portfolio is vast, spanning television, theatrical, and original animation, as well as numerous video games.

3.2. Dubbing

Risa Shimizu is highly active in dubbing foreign productions, notably lending her voice consistently to several renowned actresses.

3.3. Live-Action Acting

Beyond her extensive voice work, Risa Shimizu has continued to participate in live-action television dramas and stage plays as an adult actress.

• Ryoma ni Omakase! (1996, Nippon Television)
• Jidaigeki Special "Tokugawa no Onna" (TX) as Kamehime
• Chotto D-Time Kibouke no Hitobito as Lisa
• Atsuhime #15 (2008, NHK) as a young maid

Her stage play appearances include:

• Anne of Green Gables as Josie Pye
• Sorairo Magatama as Teruhi-ō
• The Secret Garden as Mrs. Medlock
• The Little Prince as Snake and Thorny Flower
• Night on the Galactic Railroad as Conductor and Giovanni's Mother
• Colorful Project Vol. 2 "Sono Toki ga Kitara ~Eiga Kantoku Yamanaka Sadao no Seishun~"
• Colorful Project Vol. 3 "Meguri Au Toki"
• Mask Play Musical Delicious Party♡Precure Dream Stage (2022), where she provided the voice for Kokone Fuwa / Cure Spicy
• Recitation Play Talleyrand's Coffee Shop Case Files (2023), portraying Mihoshi Kirima
• Recitation Play My Brain Eraser 14th Letter (April 29, 2023), performing as Kaoru
• Disney on Ice, where she took on the role of Anna (2nd generation)

3.4. Other Activities

Shimizu's professional activities extend beyond her primary acting and voice acting roles, encompassing various media and content.

4.1. Character Songs

These are songs released under the name of characters she has voiced in animation or game projects:

4.2. Other Participation Songs

These are other songs where Risa Shimizu contributed vocals or musical performances:

6.1. Interests and Skills

Shimizu's personal hobbies include kabuki appreciation, reflecting an interest in traditional Japanese performing arts. Her special skills are notably diverse, encompassing musical instrument performance such as piano, percussion, and nagauta shamisen, along with singing and dance. She is also known to have a blood type of B. Her height is 60 in ^{(152 cm)} and her weight is 93 lb ^{(42 kg)}.

6.2. Influences and Admires

Risa Shimizu holds great admiration for two notable figures: Akiko Yano and Keiko Toda. She has expressed that she is a huge fan of both, and specifically, she has admired Keiko Toda since childhood, observing and imitating her acting and even her everyday gestures.

7.1. Notable Contributions and Roles

Shimizu's career is marked by several key contributions that have garnered significant recognition and demonstrated her adaptability. Her continuous casting as the Japanese voice for prominent foreign actresses like Emilia Clarke, Ariana Grande, Taissa Farmiga, Thomasin McKenzie, and Lily Collins highlights a trusted versatility and a specific ability to embody diverse characters consistently. This consistent dubbing work has cemented her reputation as a reliable and skilled voice match for international talent.

Furthermore, her lead voice roles in original anime productions such as Amira in Rage of Bahamut: Genesis and Arlette Almage in Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight AXIS, alongside popular children's anime such as Kokone Fuwa / Cure Spicy in Delicious Party Pretty Cure and Poppy in the Trolls series, demonstrate her capacity to carry major franchises and connect with a broad audience. Her involvement in Rage of Bahamut: Genesis extended beyond voice acting, as she also contributed to the ending theme's lyrics, vocals, and instrumental performance, showcasing her broader artistic talents.

A particularly significant moment in her career came with her taking over the role of Anna for the Disney on Ice 2022 performances, a role previously held by the late Sayaka Kanda. This responsibility further underscored the industry's confidence in her abilities to maintain the integrity and popularity of a beloved character. Her consistent presence in high-profile video games like Judgment, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Cyberpunk 2077, and Silent Hill 2 also solidifies her standing in the gaming voice acting community. Risa Shimizu's multifaceted career showcases her as a vital and influential figure in Japanese entertainment, recognized for her extensive range and sustained contributions across popular culture.