Yukiko Nikaido, the First Voice of Fujiko Mine in Lupin the 3rd, Passes Away at 87
The anime world has lost another legendary voice. Yukiko Nikaido, the actress who voiced Fujiko Mine in the first television adaptation of Lupin the 3rd, has passed away at the age of 87. The news was announced by Anime News Network on July 17, 2026. The cause of Nikaido's death has not yet been disclosed.
Nikaido gave voice to the mysterious and charming thief Fujiko Mine in the first Lupin the 3rd anime series, which began airing in 1971. In this cult series created by Monkey Punch (Kazuhiko Kato), Fujiko was etched into the memories of viewers for her constant ambiguity as both an ally and an enemy. Nikaido's performance went down in history as the interpretation that first brought the character's cunning and independent personality to the screen.
Yukiko Nikaido was born in 1938 and began her career in live-action acting. However, she became one of the pioneering names of an era by stepping into the world of anime voice acting in the 1970s. Although she took part in various productions after the first Lupin the 3rd series, she was most identified with Fujiko Mine. In later adaptations of the series, Fujiko was voiced by Eiko Masuyama and later by Miyuki Sawashiro; however, Nikaido's original tone always remained in a special place for fans of the series.
Nikaido's passing has caused deep sadness in the Lupin the 3rd community. These initial characters played a major role in the series appealing to different generations for many years. Fujiko Mine became one of the pioneers of the genre, not just as an anime character, but as a strong, independent, and cunning female figure. Nikaido's performance laid the foundation for this character and inspired all subsequent adaptations.
Although no official memorial service or event has been announced at this time, fans are sharing tributes in memory of Nikaido on social media. The first series of Lupin the 3rd can still be watched on many platforms; for those who want to hear Nikaido's voice again, these works serve as a valuable legacy. The master voice actress has left an unforgettable mark on the golden pages of anime history.
