
The voice acting legend whose voice never ages celebrates Maid Day.
The string of Japanese holidays collectively called Golden Week came to an end on May 6, but the country still had a special day to celebrate on May 10. Thanks to a quirk of the Japanese language, the number 10 can also be read as “do,” and so “May 10” can transform into “May do,” pronounced just like meido, the Japanese word for “maid.”
Though it’s not an official holiday, those with such tastes annually celebrate May 10/Maid Day with online salutes to maid-inspired fashion and culture, often with salutes to famous maids of the anime and video game worlds. Video game franchise Danganronpa even doubles down on the maid allusions by listing the birthday of character Kirumi Tojo, known in-universe as “the ultimate maid,” May 10.
▼ Kirumi Tojo
OHOHOHO
— イジエル || PHVtuber (@izzielbaksai) May 9, 2020
Kirumi Tojo's birthday!!!
I hope she has a day off...
Happy birthday, Kirumi! pic.twitter.com/7UQ2owmYma
This year, Kirumi’s voice actress decided to join in the fun by cosplaying as the character, dressed in a maid outfit, naturally, on May 10, and she looked great doing it.
5月10 日は #メイドの日 そして
— 井上喜久子&スタッフ (@atmanbow_staff) May 10, 2020
ニューダンガンロンパV3
超高校級メイド、東条斬美ちゃんのお誕生日ですヾ(* ´▽`*)ノ✨🎂💕
久しぶりのコスプレ楽しかった〜😆 pic.twitter.com/8cp9DUqV8Z
But while voice actresses giving a shout-out to their characters isn’t so unusual, those already in the know, or who recognize the actress’ name in her Twitter account, are probably doing a double-take right now. That’s because Kikuko Inoue, Kirumi’s voice actress, is 55 years old!
Granted, Inoue is famous for her ability to continue playing serenely voiced young ladies of refined etiquette well past the age when most anime voice actresses bow out of the industry. Even still, it’s startling to see how youthful she looks while pulling off a cosplay of a character who’s a teenager, enough so to make one think that Inoue’s oft-repeated tongue-in-cheek claim that she’s eternally 17 years old might not be a joke after all.
Source: Twitter/@atmanbow_staff via Otakomu
Top image: Pakutaso
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Japan’s “eternally 17-years-old” anime voice actress offers fans hot spring resort trip with her
Maid Day 2019 brings out Japan’s best maid cosplayers【Photos】
Number of voice actresses in Japan hits record high, but is that a good thing?
Pregnant anime voice actress photo standees: A new frontier in otaku merch
Japan has a new professional basketball league exclusively for anime voice actresses
The fish in rural Fukui that rivals Japan’s most auspicious sea bream
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
New sushi train toy makes sushi for you, then delivers it, and is exactly what we want【Video】
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
After 33 years, Hello Kitty’s voice actress, the legendary Hayashibara Megumi, is being replaced
Japanese adult video game voice actress does announcements at JR Niigata Station 【Videos】
Anime voice actress fan arrested for email telling her to “die die die die”【Updated】
Japanese publisher sparks backlash over plan to have anime voice actresses pose for bikini photos
Evangelion anime voice actress says gay man grabbed her chest in Tokyo bar district
Dragon Ball Super finally ends after three years, voice actress of Goku says she’s not done
26 anime voice actors and actresses form group to speak out against unauthorized generative AI
Evangelion voice actress reveals she’s been waiting 11 years for free condoms she was promised
Anime voice actress Megumi Hayashibara’s Lina Inverse will hold virtual VTuber concert
Possibly the sweetest anime voice actress ever meets fan on the train, makes their day, maybe life
Sweating, snuggling models and voice actresses steam up series of spicy ramen ads 【Videos】
We interview voice actress Shoko Nakagawa, learn what gave her the greatest shock of her career
New Ranma 1/2 anime preview reveals Netflix streaming, returning all-star voice cast【Video】