This article is about an actress in the Super Sentai series. |
Mao Ichimichi (市道 真央 Ichimichi Mao), formerly known under the stage name Rio Minami (南 梨央 Minami Rio), is a Japanese actress and former model who portrayed Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow in Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. After Gokaiger, she began pursuing a voice-acting career under the stage name M•A•O (まお Mao) and voiced Pasco in Ressha Sentai ToQger: The Movie - Galaxy Line SOS, Raptor 283/Washi Pink in Uchu Sentai Kyuranger, and Kishiryu Chibigaroo in Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger.
Personal Life[]
When Ichimichi auditioned for Luka, she viewed the character as the ideal type of woman and deepened her vocal range to match Luka's personality. According to her, there is a noticeable difference in her voice between calm Luka and excited Luka. Additionally, Luka's character had a strong first impression on Yasuhisa Furuhara, who portrayed Sosuke Esumi in Go-Onger and guest starred in Gokaiger, who was immediately surprised by how polite Ichimichi was in comparison to the brass yet rude Luka.
Ichimichi decided to pursue voice acting after enjoying performing ADR for Gokai Yellow more than physically portraying Luka. She later returned to Sentai as a voice actress for Raptor in Kyuranger, with both of her characters meeting face-to-face in Kyuranger vs. Space Squad.
It was difficult for Ichimichi to voice Raptor as the character was the embodiment of "cuteness", but the name obviously wasn't.
Filmography[]
Television[]
- Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (2011-2012) - Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow,
- Don Dogoier in Luka's body (Episode 27)
- Vannain disguised as Luka (Episode 34)
- Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger, Episodes 28 and 29 (2016) - Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow
- Uchu Sentai Kyuranger (2017-2018) - Raptor 283/Washi Pink
- Indaver disguised as Washi Pink (Episode 38)
- 4 Week Continuous Special Super Sentai Strongest Battle!! (2019) - Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow
- Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger (2019) - Kishiryu Chibigaroo
- Kamen Rider Zero-One (2020) - Ai-chan
- Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga (2021) - Marluru
Film[]
- Tensou Sentai Goseiger vs. Shinkenger: Epic on Ginmaku (2011) - Gokai Yellow
- Gokaiger Goseiger Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle (2011) - Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow
- Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger the Movie: The Flying Ghost Ship (2011) - Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow
- Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs. Uchuu Keiji Gavan: The Movie (2012) - Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow
- Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen (2012) - Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow, GekiYellow
- Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters vs. Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger: The Movie (2013) - Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow
- Ressha Sentai ToQger: The Movie - Galaxy Line SOS (2014) - Pasco
- Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger vs. Ninninger: Message from the Future from Super Sentai (2017) - Raptor 283/Washi Pink
- Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Chou Super Hero Taisen (2017) - Raptor 283/Washi Pink
- Uchu Sentai Kyuranger The Movie: The Geth Indaver's Counterattack (2017) - Raptor 283/Washi Pink
- Uchu Sentai Kyuranger vs. Space Squad (2018) - Raptor 283/Washi Pink, Luka Millfy
- Lupinranger VS Patranger VS Kyuranger (2019) - Raptor 283/Washi Pink
- Kamen Rider Saber + Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger: Superhero Senki (2021) - Raptor 283/Washi Pink
- Kaizoku Sentai: Ten Gokaiger (2021) - Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow
Notes[]
- As a voice actress, Ichimichi has a prolific profile of roles in several highly popular anime and video games, one notably being Hikari Yagami in Digimon Adventure tri. and Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna alongside her Gokaiger co-star Junya Ikeda as Joe Kido.
- Ichimichi is the first actor/actress since Junichi Haruta and Kenji Ohba to portray two core Rangers in two different series, though she is the first to do so using two different mediums (Luka through a physical portrayal and Raptor through voice only).
External Links[]
- Mao Ichimichi at Wikipedia.
- Mao Ichimichi at Kamen Rider Wiki
References[]
Footnotes[]