Mai Nakahara

Mai Nakahara (中原 麻衣, Nakahara Mai, born February 23, 1981 in Akashi, Hyōgo) is a Japanese voice actor and singer affiliated with I'm Enterprise. Her nicknames are Maimai, Mai-tan, and Mai-sama.

Although Nakahara was born in Akashi, she spent her younger years moving from one place to another, with her grandmother's residence at Ikata, Ehime being her more constant source of shelter. She fondly remembers how terrible her grandmother's cooking was, but chose to put up with it out of familial love. Upon reaching 5th grade, her interest in voice acting grew after watching Tico of the Seven Seas. At the time, it was one of the few luxuries she had access to due to local stations not showing much entertainment for kids.

Nakahara earnestly wanted to pursue voice acting as a career, but her parents wanted her to graduate high school and find a stable job first. She complied with their wishes and worked as a medical office lady in Tokyo while saving enough money to enroll at Japan Narration Actor Institute. Despite going through bouts of depression, her perseverance paid off when she passed an audition held by the institute and joined one of their affiliate agencies. Her first stint as a voice actor involved working as a radio personality for the broadcasting program Voice Crew. This experience helped her become more accustomed to recording as she started gaining more roles over time.

Outside of her profession, Nakahara is a kendo practitioner and a foodie with a love for bread. Being a dog lover, she owns two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and even attended grooming school to better care for them. Her pets are also the reason why she does not enjoy staying in drinking parties too long for fear they might get lonely. She also has a younger sister who greatly resemble her.

Nakahara's vocal qualities make her suited for playing sweet and cheerful girls, though some fans favor her psychotic character performances more. Before making it big, Nakahara had been told that support roles were the best she could possibly hope for, though she ended up proving that claim wrong. A few of her memorable roles include Rena Ryuugu in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Chisa Yukizome in Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School, and Nakoruru in the 2019 Samurai Shodown game.

Works

 * Irma Walder - Atelier Lilie: The Alchemist of Salburg 3
 * Prier - La Pucelle: Tactics, Disgaea series
 * Hilda - Atelier Lise: The Alchemist of Orde
 * Pipin - Super Swing Golf: Season 2
 * Driesch - Soul Nomad & the World Eaters
 * Juvia Lockser - Fairy Tail; reprise of her role in the anime