Get to know three of the people behind the “sexy” English-language voice announcements you’ll hear on public transport in Japan.
donna burke
Japanese rail and Shinkansen bullet train announcers come together for series of cute videos
-
Oona McGee
Feb 12, 2020 - Tweet
Shinkansen announcer shares moment her mother hears her voice on bullet train for the first time
-
SoraNews24
Nov 1, 2019
- Japan
- (bullet train • donna burke • Metal Gear Solid • shinkansen • trains • travel • twitter • videos • voice actors • voice actresses)
Where have we heard Metal Gear Solid V’s iDroid voice before? When we last rode the Shinkansen!
-
Evie Nyan
Sep 9, 2015
The release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain has been met with as much excitement and frenzy as you might expect from the latest instalment of a legendary video game franchise. But while most players are preoccupied with riding D. Horse around, frolicking in cardboard boxes and puzzling over the intricate story, it’s a certain voiceover that’s had us scratching our heads. Where on earth have we heard iDroid‘s soothing tones before? Oh, that’s right – on the Shinkansen!
Voice actor and vocalist Donna Burke is a veteran of the video game industry, lending her vocal cords to multiple games including MGSV and Silent Hill, and she ALSO provided the English-language spoken announcement that’s broadcast on the bullet train to help foreign visitors navigate their way around Japan!
- Australia, Global, Internet, Japan
- (donna burke • iDroid • Konami • Metal Gear Solid V • shinkansen • Silent Hill • video games • voice actor)
-
Recent Posts
- Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
- Canned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
- Does a poopy butthole translate to lottery-winning riches in Japan? The results are in!
- Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
- Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
MOST POPULAR
Now
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Japanese comedian apologizes for his many “multipurpose toilet affairs”
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Weekly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Monthly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Yearly
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
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Akutai Matsuri: Japan’s Verbal Abuse Festival, where insults and bad behaviour are encouraged
Studio Ghibli releases anime heroine cosplay dresses that are super comfy to wear
A sad Oden Day in Japan as stores seem to be steadily stopping self-service pots
Super-detailed cherry blossom forecast maps show early arrival for Japan’s 2024 sakura season
This budget hotel near Tokyo Dome has one of the best breakfast buffets in the city
Two beautiful Totoro Catbus interior piece figures scamper back to the Studio Ghibli store【Pics】
McDonald’s Japan’s Gurakoro burgers, like a cup of hot soup in sandwich form, return this month!
-
Categories
Archives


