On her birthday, Megumi Hayashibara gives fans a reason to celebrate too.
There are a lot of anime voice actresses, but there’s only one Megumi Hayashibara. After making her debut by voicing an unseen (and upset) neighbor in Maison Ikkoku in 1986, Hayashibara has been working in the industry non-stop with no ebb in her popularity, currently enthralling viewers of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time as the voice of Rei Ayanami. What’s more, since 1991 she’s also been providing opening and ending themes for several of the series she stars in.
Last Tuesday was Hayashibara’s birthday, and with this year marking the 30th anniversary of her professional singing debut, she decided to celebrate by announcing that she’s made her music catalog available on multiple online music subscription services. The collection includes all 14 of her albums, from Half and, Half (released in 1991) to Fifty~Fifty (2018), plus all 41 of her singles released between “Nijiiro no Sneaker” (1991) and “Imawa no Shinigami” (2017) and various best-of and compilation albums.
▼ Hayashibara’s newest song, “Denim,” from her latest compilation album Vintage Denim
The decades-spanning selection includes a number of themes from hit franchises such as Slayers, Shaman King, Blue Seed, and even Evangelion, as Hayashibara’s jazz-style “Ayanami Rei covers” of both Cruel Angel’s Thesis and Fly Me to the Moon are part of her seventh album, Bertemu.
▼ “Soul Salvation,” Hayashibara’s new theme for Shaman King, will also be available.
Hayashibara’s catalogue is available for audio streaming now on Apple Music, Spotify, Line Music, Amazon Music, AWA, KKBox, RecMusic, and d Hits, with links to individual services here.
Source: Ongaku Natalie via Hachima Kiko, Megumi Hayashibara official blog
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s still thankful to his brother for buying him Bertemu for his birthday and mailing it across the Pacific.

Anime voice actress Megumi Hayashibara’s Lina Inverse will hold virtual VTuber concert
Legendary anime voice actress Megumi Hayashibara wins Japan’s Best Jeanist Award【Video】
After 33 years, Hello Kitty’s voice actress, the legendary Hayashibara Megumi, is being replaced
Japan’s greatest anime voice actress, one of its most popular bands team up in beautiful ramen ad
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
Elderly couple donates 400 million yen to erect Myaku-Myaku statue in Osaka
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
Lawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japanese Twitter users shocked to learn how much The Simpsons voice actors get paid
Hello Kitty sings official cover of Sailor Moon theme song “Moonlight Densetsu”【Video】
“Come to me quickly, Sailor Moon. This will be your grave” – Cosmos trailer goes dark, sounds awesome
New Ranma 1/2 anime preview reveals Netflix streaming, returning all-star voice cast【Video】
After 10 years of secrecy, anime song duo ClariS finally remove their masks and show their faces
Japanese fans react to full trailer for Netflix live-action Cowboy Bebop with original voice cast
Evangelion welcomes back Utada Hikaru for final movie’s theme song, vinyl collected release