Megumi Ogata

Biography: Japanese voice actor and singer Megumi Ogata started learning piano at the age of three, and later picked up stringed instruments such as guitar, bass, and cello. In primary school she became interested in plays and joined a theatrical company called the Neverland Musical Community and also attended music vocational school where she sang at clubs and local bars. She graduated from Toho Lady high school, and was on track to being an oceanography major at Tokai University, but with family issues and conflicts going on, she quit college there. Eventually she attended Tokyo Seisen Music Academy (aka Showa Ongaku Art Institute), and graduated from the music department there.

At age 24, when Neverland Musical Community shut down, Ms. Ogata went into voice acting. Her debut was Kurama in Yu Yu Hakusho, and she progressed into other roles such as Sailor Uranus (Haruka Tenoh) in Sailor Moon. Some of her major starring roles include Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion and MayaJapanese voice actor and singer Megumi Ogata started learning piano at the age of three, and later picked up stringed instruments such as guitar, bass, and cello. In primary school she became interested in plays and joined a theatrical company called the Neverland Musical Community and also attended music vocational school where she sang at clubs and local bars. She graduated from Toho Lady high school, and was on track to being an oceanography major at Tokai University, but with family issues and conflicts going on, she quit college there. Eventually she attended Tokyo Seisen Music Academy (aka Showa Ongaku Art Institute), and graduated from the music department there.

At age 24, when Neverland Musical Community shut down, Ms. Ogata went into voice acting. Her debut was Kurama in Yu Yu Hakusho, and she progressed into other roles such as Sailor Uranus (Haruka Tenoh) in Sailor Moon. Some of her major starring roles include Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion and Maya Kitajima the heroine of Garasu no kamen (Mask of Glass).

Her skilled performances and ability to play various roles naturally, from a child to grown-up adult, serious ones and even comical ones, made her one of the leaders of the voice acting industry.

Moreover, her witty talks and tender counseling for listeners made her a popular radio personality. She scolded listeners earnestly as an adult lady, and she was called Aniki (brother) by her fans. QR radio program "Ogata Megumi no ginga ni hoero!" collected over 2000 postcards from listeners and became a top radio program.

Ms. Ogata also took advantage of her rich expression skills and trained singing ability to become a singer-song writer. She has released CD singles and albums and performed in live concerts. In 2000, she changed her artist name to "em:ou". Her live performances won popularity not only in Japan, but also internationally from Hong Kong to New York. In the summer of 1999, she held the live stage "Tsuki no Yoru ni Ai ma Shou! (See You at the Night of Moonlight!) Vol.1" in which she played five roles and sang. In the summer of 2000 she held the live performance, "Tsuki no Yoru ni Ai ma Shou! Vol.2" with 12 popular voice actors and actresses.

After this stage of showing her talents as a performer, producer and screenplay writer, she took a long vacation. She traveled around Japan, New York and Mongolia. In the spring of 2001, she went back to work and is active at Aoni Production as a voice actor.

Studio Albums
Half Moon – released March 16, 1994, re-released September 22, 1999.
Marine Legend – released April 21, 1995
Winter Bird – released December 13, 1995
Tajuujinkaku (multipheno) – released October 28, 1996
MO [em:ou] – released March 11, 1998
rain – released Jan 10, 2001
stop, and Go - released July 1, 2003
Kagami no kuni no alice – released on October 22, 2004
Yoaki no Jikan – released on July 4, 2006

Mini-albums
Santa Claus ni Naritai – released November 11, 1996 (mini-album with stories)
Ouchi no Tsukurou – released December 28, 2001

Concert Albums
Megumi Ogata Live: Multipheno Concert Tour 1996 Winter Concert – released March 5, 1997
Megumi Ogata Live: [em:ou] Concert Tour 1998 in Tokio to Hong Kong – released March 13, 1999

Compilation Albums
Best Runner – released June 30, 1999 (anime singles, including ones from Magic Knight Rayearth, B’tX, and Macross Generation).
Aitai ~passed, and next 1992-2002~ - released December 4, 2002 (Greatest Hits, 4 CD’s, 10 year anniversary)
Animegu – released October 2, 2007 (13 tracks from anime, some are covers, one new, 15 year anniversary, includes Samurai Deeper Kyo and Galaxy Express 999)… Expand