‘I'm not done being Nobita,' says voice actor Azizah

Free Malaysia Today

20-07-2025

Azizah Mat Jais deeply misses Nobita, a character she voiced for over 30 years.
PETALING JAYA : After more than 30 years of crying while being chased by Giant and pleading with Doraemon,
After more than 30 years of crying while being chased by Giant and pleading with Doraemon,
Azizah Mat Jais is not ready to let go of voicing Nobita, the bespectacled boy who would constantly get into trouble.
For the past two years, the 76-year-old artiste has not been called to reprise the character owing to health issues. But she is now back on her feet and keen to get back into the role.
'I'm not done being Nobita. We've become one. When someone else voices Nobita, audiences notice. They look for me, and that really touches my heart. It shows that people still remember and care,' she told FMT.
For those who grew up watching cartoons in the 1980s, the voices of Nobita, Doraemon and their friends surely evoke cherished memories.
For Azizah, voicing Nobita was more than just a dubbing job – it involved a deep emotional connection to the character, one that she believes still exists.
'As long as I still have the spirit, I can bring the character to life like I did before,' she said.
Malaysians still have a soft spot for Doraemon and the bespectacled Nobita.
Azizah recalls being moved when the original Japanese production team insisted the voices of Nobita and Doraemon remain unchanged over the years, even as other performers came and went.
'Other voices could be replaced, but not Nobita's and Doraemon's. The production team requested that our original voices be retained; they wanted the same sound, the same soul.'
Azizah has lent her voice to many other popular shows including 'Oshin', 'Crayon Shin-chan', 'Dragon Ball', 'Naruto', 'Teletubbies', 'SpongeBob SquarePants', 'Detective Conan', 'Robocar Poli', 'Avatar', 'CatDog', and 'Tom & Jerry'.
But like other voice actors, she has had to faced the harsh realities of low pay, lack of recognition, and an industry that seems to be closing its doors on new talent.
Fellow artistes Ruhaiyah Ibrahim, who voiced Doraemon, and Charl Fitri are also fighting to survive in an ever-fading field.
Nevertheless, Azizah harbours dreams of returning to the mic as Nobita. 'An actor's voice may change, but not the soul,' she stressed.