Ai Nonaka (野中 藍, Nonaka Ai, born June 8, 1981 in Sawara-ku, Fukuoka) is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production who debuted in 2000. She had a professional singing career under the music label STARCHILD. Nonaka is also a licensed aromatherapist and has a native Hakata dialect. Her interests include physical activities like pro-wrestling, snowboarding, and marathon races. Fans often call her Ai-chan (あいちゃん), Ai-pon (あいぽん), or Ai Ai (あいあい).
On August 21, 2017, she married a good male friend of hers who is in his forties and is familiar with the hectic late night schedules for voice actors; his identity is kept a secret but Nonaka has been publicly enthusiastic in celebrating it. When fellow voice actors Akemi Kanda and Ryoko Shiraishi got married, she became nervous that her friendships with them would suffer; once she saw that they were happy, she stopped fretting about it. Nonaka considered marriage for herself due to an increase of gigs abroad. When he asked her what she wanted for her thirty-sixth birthday, she told him to marry her; he agreed on the spot.
Nonaka grew up admiring Megumi Ogata's performance as Kurama in Yu Yu Hakusho. Her childhood obsession led to her early aspiration to become a voice actor. She took part in her school's theater club and in ballet to physically prepare herself for acting. During these years, she grew to love the art of theater. After she graduated from high school, she auditioned for a male role in the Takarazuka Revue Company but was rejected due to her petite height. Nonaka remembered her childhood dream afterwards and took classes at Aoni Jyuku to land her current profession.
She often voices young girl characters. Since many of her character roles are cheerful, sweet, and optimistic, fans may be surprised to hear Nonaka's foul-mouthed commentary during her radio shows and live appearances. Three of her roles are Kyoko Sakura in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Kafuka Fuura in Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei, and Beauty in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo.
Works with Koei
- Edit female voice - Dynasty Warriors: Online
- Bao Sanniang - Dynasty Warriors series, Warriors Orochi series
- Hatsuho - Toukiden series
- Honoka - Warriors All-Stars
- Archduke Gorgon - Robot Girls Z ONLINE
- Towa Herschel - The Legend of Heroes: Akatsuki no Kiseki
Live Events
- Tokyo Game Show 2011 Stage Events - for Neoroma & Musou
- Shin Sangoku Musou Seiyuu Ranbu 2011 Autumn