Aya Hirano – leave her alone and just let it be

(Editor’s Note: Thanks to Zone Otaku for some of the information provided, which they found on, uh, Sankaku Complex)

I will ask someone to translate this into Japanese because I suspect this is article will be targeting Japanese fanboy behaviors. Yes, this is going to be a rant against creepy people (I’m going to avoid the “O” word) who are just too stupid to get the hell over it.

This strange “Aya-bashing” has been going on for a long time but I think it’s really time for people for move on from being obsessive with this woman. In my not so humble opinion, she was great as Haruhi and Konata. She sang with passion and enough skill for “God Knows”, but really, what else was all that impressive?

I followed this one mainly because she was cute. Yes, that was pretty much it. But when I really measured her talent against Mizuki Nana, Kugimiya Rie, Tanaka Rie, Kuwashima Houko, and some other older voice actresses that I really like, I realized that her talents were really, just her cute face and child-like act in front of the camera. I mean really, did anyone like her as Garnet in Dragonaut? Or whatshercharactersname in Hykko? How about the Daughter of 20 Faces?

At least she acts well enough as the lead one of the Zettai Karen Children. So seriously, for those obsessive fans anywhere, what the fuck exactly do you see in this one? Do you notice that I keep on saying, “this one”. Because honestly, people like female seiyuu are easily forgotten. Which of you young’uns remember Mistuishi Kotono? How about Hisakawa Aya? Whom? Whaddya mean, whom? Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury, that’s whom. Oddly enough, I don’t forget them because I value their voice acting skills in making my favorite characters alive. Sure, as the Japanese anime voice acting industry started to look for cuter voice actresses with better looking faces, I found myself attracted to some of them. But see, looks aren’t absolute and people change. As a matter of fact, the voices of old timers like Inoue Kikuko grew more powerful and more solid as they aged. As for looks, have you see Yuu Asakawa (har har pun) AKA Julia-san lately? Looks can be changed but voice acting skills grow maturer. I’m not just takling about pitch, either.

You think now I’m Aya-bashing, too, saying that she’s not all that great. Wrong! I indeed have pointed out her limited skill range but you know what? I liked her a lot, precisely because of her limited range. I liked the fact I could identify her voice immediately like a signature and the fact she was cute. She’s cute now but I’ve gotten over her. But really, she’s a just another person and just another girl. Recently she talked about her love interest. What’s it to ya? Are you in her perspective dating range as in, you could get in contact with her without being a stalker from Malaysia or Akiba? WTF?

Now, she’s probably giving up the anime stuff or will be giving it up because of all the unnecessary flames that she receive daily. What the fuck is the point? Now people like these fanboys are possibly driving a good talent (again, limited but good) away from some of our favorite shows. Her new agent doesn’t give a shit about anime. So you fanboys are pushing her even further away from voice-acting. Is that what you really want?

By the way, destroying your Aya goods and showing it to the world only GREATLY MAGNIFIES your stupidity in wasting money. Guys, you’re being idiots. Big, fucking idiots. I’ll be even harsher here; idiot fanboys like you are a waste of human life and valuable resources on this planet, so just die and save others some valuable resources. Just die. Nobody really cares about you, so just die. Take the jump. Just jump. Hang yourself. Just do it. Whatever. But leave this poor woman alone. She’s required by her agency to read the shit that you post and she’s had enough. If she quits then it’s your fault and we need to start a witchhunt, not for her, but for hunting you down. You got that? Because you will be at fault.

At the end of the day, if you found yourself being yelled at here, then know this: you’re fucking it up for the rest of us by driving her away. You think she made all the career decisions on her own? Are you fuckin’ stupid? Young Japanese talents do what they’re told to do or risk being shafted and wiped off the entertainment industry all together! It’s only when they get older and occupy senior positions that they get their say. If you’re Japanese, you’re especially guilty of this sin – you know and I know that the average Japanese worker does whatever he or she is told, period, or lose his or her job. The so-called “request” from the boss can often be unreasonable and tedious. What, you didn’t know that and you call yourself a Japanese worker? What a lame joke you’re!

I remember there was one episode in Sailor Moon where Sailor Venus helped to tackle a problem with creepy stalkering fans. She said that to be a true fan, you should support the person and not making her uncomfortable by stalking. In my words, to love your talented people is to help cheer them on and don’t make them feel creeped out, oh and buy a couple of CD’s and whatnot when you have some money. How hard is that? If you hate this person, which would be weird since she doesn’t know you and you don’t really know her, then move on! That’s what the average Japanese fans for anything do! Something/someone new comes, they move on! So get the hell over her already! There are newer and younger faces in the crowded seiyuu field now! Go like them or something.

I’m going to risk losing some of my biggest fans by saying: yeah, I’m over Aya-chan. I’ve been over her. True, I’m still sad that she’ll probably move further and further away from the voice-acting gig, but for that, I blame you creeps.

Now get the fuck out of the global fan community – yes, it is global and I hope from the bottom of my heart that you live a hundred thousand million times as painfully as possible with it – You’re making everyone, including kind and gentle Japanese fans, looking like shit.

Get the fuck out.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed her at Anime Diet reflects the diversity of ideas and thoughts of different contributors and do not present Anime Diet’s official position. Please stay tuned for other convention coverage and anime reviews.

Author: Ray

I'm a hardcore Anime Fan and I'm proud of it. I know so many things and I've acquired so much knowledge you wouldn't believe. But my love is anime. I've been drifting in this world for so long that I don't even know what an anchor means. I've seen so many shows that I've lost count. The only thing I'm sure of myself is that I care for the lowly and disenfranchised. I hate the rich and powerful and I love what I do, or what I can do. I like anime and I don't mind watching different types of shows. I have experience in different types of Japanese animation. I would be called an "expert" in a bizzaro world. One day, I'd like to start a revolution. I love the US, pizza, beer, sashimi, Chinese food, and steak. But I love freshly baked bread more than a well-aged steak. In reality, if I were born Japanese I'd be a real, hardcore Otaku. I love to love and I can hate strongly. I'm passionate in nature and I don't mind shedding tears. I can be reached at rayyhum777 at animediet. My Twitter is rayyhum777 at twitter.

16 thoughts on “Aya Hirano – leave her alone and just let it be

  1. Well…. I’m in shock. There was a lot of energy and passion behind this article I did not expect. But it’s really refreshing. I had no idea this was going on to this extent. I was aware of the pressures put on Japanese performers, but did not realize that Aya-chan this close to the brink. If she chooses to leave the life of a seiyuu and pursue music alone, then more power to her. People shouldn’t have to face such animosity in their workplace. I still like Aya-chan, however. She voices one of my favorite characters, Konata, and for that, I give her props. I don’t think I’ll “get over” her, however, because I was never really into her all that much. I follow Kugimiya Rie and Inoue Kikuko much more closely because they voice a larger number of characters I like, such as Shana, Taiga, Belldandy, etc.

    1. At the end of the day, just like football players that get booed at or baseball players that get batteries thrown at them, voice actors are just folks trying to make a living.
      I still like Aya-chan, too. But I’m actually sad that there’s a possibility that I won’t hear her voice in anime any more.
      BTW, Kugimiya Rie and Inoue Kikuko FTW!

  2. I feel extremely saddened by the fact that Aya-chan is leaving the seiyuu world. But that’s her decision. We’ll deeply miss her. But I’m okay, since she’s a 3-D person after all, why obsessed with her? It’s always between what fans want and what the entertainer wants. Bob Dylan got bashing too when he played an electric guitar. Supposedly he had to play only acoustic. Fans are sometimes obnoxious.

    Yes, I agree. Yuu Asakawa is well ripen, the embodiment of Jukujo. But Kikuko Inoue never ages, she’s eternal 17, a perpetual high school girl.

    1. Crazy fans are crazy and I guess that’s life.
      As for jukujo…I heard they don’t play stupid games and their sexual drive is higher. XD In any event, we’ll see what becomes of Aya-chan’s seiyuu career.

  3. Long story short, this is another case of people placing their focus on something a little too hard and beyond their reach. OF COURSE, an actor is going to have a life. To imagine otherwise is not only unrealistic, but is also disrespectful & selfish of their idol. Simple words to these folks; Screw your fantasy worlds, and start living, and most importantly, start attempting to understand the opposite sex. Those who cannot grasp this simple idea deserve nothing.

  4. Some fans do want her to come back. I hope they don’t get delusional over this. It would be nice to see her do a cameo, but the chances seem very unlikely. I do believe that people don’t understand how rough the Japanese entertainment industry really is.

    1. It’s good to hear there are supporters. I know there are more supporters but lately, they are coming from the non-anime crowd. As her career evolves, I’m sad that she may not come back to the anime industry. But yes, the Japanese working world, especially the entertainment industry, is super tough.

  5. I’m sure she’ll make a return. Just in smaller, more tailor-made roles,which makes sense. The roles have been getting worse and worse as of late. Perhaps she can come back when the climate is a lot more realistic.

    1. Yeah, did you like Garnet from Dragonaut? XD
      I do confess that I liked her role in Seikon no Qwaser! XD

  6. I’ll be honest and say that once she popped up in Queen’s Blade, it was over for me. Not her fault, really. It’s just the climate of the market. I’ll be excited if she eventually becomes something more akin to Hayashibara who went on to balance the “paying the rent” roles with more artistically challenging fare. Hope, hope.

    1. Queen’s Blade ain’t that bad! It is true that Aya’s character is kind of annoying but she portrayed her well. It was a job well done.

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  8. Wow, this was news to me… Anyway, leaving one job to do something else is what a lot of people do at some point in their lives. It should be no different than anyone else.

  9. As long as she stays in the business, it all right. She is not a seiyu anymore, but she maybe start to be a newsreader on TV, or music idol, or something like that. She is not becoming the housewife yet (even despite of falling in love), not disappearing completely, so it’s early to say ‘sayonara’ to her talents.

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