Noriko Hidaka, real name Noriko Nagai, maiden name Noriko Itō is a seiyū, or voice actor.
Hidaka is most known for the roles of Minami Asakura (Touch), Akane Tendo (Ranma ½), Satsuki Kusakabe (My Neighbor Totoro), Near (Death Note), Sēta Sojiro (Rurouni Kenshin), Kikyo (Inu-Yasha), and Noriko Takaya (Gunbuster).
[About her portrayal of Kikyo from InuYasha] You know, I was real tense and nervous when I gave my first line: "InuYasha!" Kikyo is so conflicted about InuYasha and so tense, I really wondered how it'd sound coming out of my throat. I had no idea. I worried that it might be exactly like Akane's "Ranma!" My heart was pounding! But an entirely different voice came out, I was so relieved!
My mission is to keep frightening everyone as much as I can, both as a character and in the studio...
I was going to the audition for Kagome, but I knew nothing about her, so I went to a bookstore, picked up the comic, took a look at her and was shocked to find a 15 year old girl!
[About auditioning to play Kagome] Looking at her as an actress, I wanted to play her. But personally, I was still so attached to my favorite character, Akane in "Ranma 1/2".
