Shiho Niiyama

Shiho Niiyama (新山 志保) (March 21, 1970 – February 7, 2000) was a Japanese voice actress who was affiliated with Aoni Production. Niiyama was most known for voicing Kō Seiya, otherwise known as Sailor Star Fighter, in Sailor Stars and Deedlit from Record of Lodoss War among other character roles (see below). She was also involved in one seiyū group, Virgo, who are the voice actresses of the anime and game, Ojōsama Sōsamō. She was diagnosed with leukemia in 1998, and died of internal bleeding following pneumonia in 2000. She was 29 years old. After her death, her ongoing roles went to Tarako, Satsuki Yukino, Makiko Ōmoto and Junko Noda. Niiyama's last work was the voice of Deedlit in Record of Lodoss War.

Notable roles

 * Kō Seiya (Sailor Star Fighter) in Sailor Moon Sailor Stars
 * Fuyumi in Sailor Moon Supers (prod. code 139)
 * Blue delmo Valerie in Agent Aika
 * Hiroko in Aoki Densetsu Shoot!
 * Dorm Chief in Battle Athletes
 * Rie Shibusawa in Battle Skipper
 * Ōzora Tsubasa's mother in Captain Tsubasa J
 * Sakada no Jiisan no Tsuma in Chibi Maruko-chan
 * Suou Takamura in CLAMP School Detectives
 * Kimiko Ayanokōji in Debutante Detective Corps
 * Juai in Detatoko Princess
 * Myonsaku Kim in Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture
 * Risa Kanzaki in Gokinjo Monogatari
 * Atore in Hakugei: Legend of the Moby Dick
 * Mao in Hyper Police (ep 19)
 * Dealer (ep 12) & Jude's mother (ep 23) in Kuso Kagaku Sekai Gulliver Boy
 * Doris in Marmalade Boy
 * Announcer A in Nanatsu no Umi no Tico (ep 36)
 * Nursery School Teacher in Ogre Slayer
 * Rei in Perfect Blue (movie)
 * Deedlit in Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight
 * Kobachi-chan in Soreike! Anpanman
 * Momiji Kagariya in Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko
 * Tachiki's wife in Vampire Princess Miyu (ep 17)
 * Hidenori in You're Under Arrest (Ep 46)
 * Narrator in BS Tantei Club: Yuki ni Kieta Kako
 * Fake Goddess Althena in Lunar 2: Eternal Blue

Trivia

 * Estimated height is 163 cm tall (U.S 5' - 4 2/10")
 * Provided both the acting and singing voice of Seiya, part of the singing group "Three Lights" in Sailor Stars.
 * Part of the singing group Virgo in Ojōsama Sōsamō
 * Released a CD single Koi no Sousamou in 1996

Notice of Shiho Niyama's passing
"We deeply apologize for our lateness in reporting to her fans that Ms. Shiho Niiyama, an actress affiliated with Aoni Productions, had died.

Shiho had been hospitalized in July 1998 for acute leukemia and had returned for a bone marrow transplant. Her symptoms persisted for an hour, but she was suffering from pneumonia due to a drop in blood pressure caused by internal hemorrahaging. Having failed to respond to medication, she went to her eternal rest at 6:23 AM, February 7.

In accordance with the bereaved family's wishes, a company-sponsored gathering, 'Farewell, Shiho Niiyama,' was held on February 10 at a certain metropolitan hotel in lieu of a funeral ceremony. At the assembly, intimate friends and fellow industry members from throughout Shiho's life were in countless attendance and remembered the late Shiho with flowers. As a voice actress, Shiho had unlimited potential. The company has received from her fans many expressions of deep regret at having to part with her, but let's all pray together for Shiho's happiness in the next world.

Here, we would like to convey a message to everyone from her parents: 'Shiho held out until the very last; with the encouragement of her supportive fans, we saw her face and voice cheerful once more. For their warm feelings, we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to her fans who cheered her on from all over the country.'"