Kubo Yurika was born on May 19, 1989 in Nara Prefecture, Japan. "久保 ユリカ" (Kubo Yurika) is a stage name, and her old stage names include "楢原ゆりか" (Narahara Yurika) and "久保由利香" (Kubo Yurika, which is her given name). Her most common voice actress nickname is "Shikaco", though she is often called "Shika-chan" by her peers. The word "shika" means deer in Japanese, which is an animal that Nara Prefecture is famous for, and what her friends from both Kanto and Kansai regions associate her with. She voices Koizumi Hanayo in Love Live!.
Her call-and-response during concerts starts with "Dareka tasukete!" ( lit. Somebody save me!), to which the audience replies "Chotto mattete!" ( lit. Wait a minute!). This is one of Hanayo's common lines within the radio dramas and anime.
Background
Her family consists of her parents, her elder brother and herself.
In 2002, she began her modeling career by winning the Grand Prix at the 6th Nikola model audition. She then commenced activities with LesPros Entertainment under her real name Kubo Yurika. In 2008, she changed agencies to Sparks, and began working under the stage name Narahara Yurika. In 2010, she changed agencies to JMO, but left in 2012 to do freelance work. As of January 2015, she is now affiliated with Clare Voice.
In August 2008, she was appointed as the PR Lady of Hustle Official, taking part in radio programs and public appearances.
In March 2011, she released a gravure shoot with the magazine Kogane no GT, whereupon she changed her stage name from her real name to her current stage name ("久保 ユリカ" (Kubo Yurika)). The reason for her name change was due to the fact that her real name contains the character "由" which is easily mistaken for the more common character "田" and would result in her name becoming "Kubota Rika".
In February 2015, it was announced that with the move to her new office, she would halt all activities on her weblog and Twitter. All reports of her activities would only be on her official Facebook.
In February 17, 2016, her debut single Lovely Lovely Strawberry was released under the Pony Canyon label.
Personality & Hobbies
Her hobbies include long walks, karaoke, and watching anime. Her talent is calisthenics.
Her favorite anime include Pokemon, Naruto and Hamtaro.
Her favorite foods are chicken and eryngii mushrooms.[1]
She has a habit of buying three copies of the same volume of manga if she finds it interesting.[1]
Like her character Hanayo, she actually has bad eyesight and wears contacts. [1]
When stressed by work, she takes walks to relieve stress. [2]
Other Data
- For a collection of translated interviews and videos, please refer to Translated Voice Actress Content.
| Dengeki G's Magazine December 2010 - Character Interview [3] |
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| About Hanayo Nice to meet you. I'm Kubo Yurika, voicing Koizumi Hanayo. Because I came from Nara, I get called as "Shikaco" (deer child) by the people around me.... And that's how I think Kayochin would introduce herself. (Lol). When I first saw her illustration, the impression I had of her was that she is a fluffy girl who somehow had a sweet-smelling atmosphere. Personally, I really liked her. Hanayo's Appeal A word for the readers |
| Dengeki G's Magazine Interview Before Final Live[4] |
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| Q1: Please tell us what is something that can't be missing when doing a μ's concert! Our aspirations!!!! For example, even if we're singing the same songs with the same costumes, there are definitely no two times which are exactly the same! A feeling like that is what's important... Especially when it comes to being able to show everyone how much we've matured, "aspiration" is crucial to our concerts. Q2: Tell us what you feel about the final solo concert, as well as a message for the readers! |
| Dengeki G's Magazine Arigatou Project (Part 3)[5] |
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 Difficult times and fun times, and in the very end the one bringing me this blessed, happy feeling is... Koizumi Hanayo. Me meeting you, was because there was a part of me that needed you. What I want to tell you, no matter what, is "Thank you" Just those two words.  MESSAGE FOR YOU! My feelings for everyone are extremely similar to my feelings for Hanayo. When I asked myself why that is... I thought that it must be because everyone who has watched over me for so long, might feel as though they are something like a family to me. There were many things we couldn't do alone, and that we could only realize with everyone together. That's why, if I put my feelings into words, it's still ends up as "Thank you" but... Just like this, I would be happy if suddenly recalling the precious time we spent together puts a smile on your face. |
Trivia
- During the day of her high school entrance examination, she overslept and had to be picked up by her teacher. [6]
- Her relations seem to be best with Iida Riho within the Love Live! team.
- Their respective characters, Koizumi Hanayo and Hoshizora Rin, seem to be best friends with each other.
- It is speculated that the halt of Twitter activities was in response to an episode of online harassment following the 5th live where fans fought over a pack of chocolate that she threw into the crowd as part of the concert. This is in stark irony of the fact that she has always been the one voice actress reminding fans to have fun safely at the start of every live performance.
- Songs that she sings well on the karaoke: μ's songs[7]
Gallery
- Please refer to this voice actress' Image Gallery.