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Yurika Kubo 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 Hanayo Koizumi, one of the main characters 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, also known as her catchprase.

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. As of December 31, 2017, her agency Clare Voice has announced that her contract has expired. She is now affiliated with Stay Luck.

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 Pokémon, 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 Roles[]

Some of Yurika's other roles include:

  • Rin Shiretoko in High School Fleet
  • Yuuri in Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou
  • Loki in Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka
  • Tionisia in Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou
  • Peko in Mewkledreamy


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]
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
If it's Kayochin, it would definitely be... "More important than the popularity rankings, I would be happy enough if people support me," being said modestly. That's why I started wanting to support this girl! I believe in this girl who matures slowly at her own pace. Also... her illustration's knee-high socks suit her. (Though it's not drawn) It seems like red glasses would suit her as well. Come on, isn't she wonderful?

A word for the readers
For everyone who's cheering both myself and Kayochin on, I want to work hard and take things carefully step by step. For the sake of sending a brilliant "smile" to everyone... Let's advance together, and get hyped together! Please support us from now on.

Dengeki G's Magazine Interview Before Final Live[4]
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!
It still hasn't sunk in but... At any rate, I want to send out the greatest thing we've ever produced! I want to create memories that will last a lifetime! Those are the extremely positive feelings I have right now. Please let everyone who's supporting us, and everyone who's coming to play with us at the live, have the greatest, happiest fun time!

Dengeki G's Magazine Arigatou Project (Part 3)[5]
Μ's Arigatou Project Messages 03
Message from Kubo Yurika

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.

Μ's Arigatou Project Messages 05

MESSAGE FOR YOU!
Suddenly recalling the precious time we spent together puts a smile on your face--

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.

Etymology[]

  • The name Yurika means "reason, case, cause" (由) (yu), "benefit, advantage" (利) (ri) and "fragrance, fragrant" (香) (ka).
  • Yurika's surname Kubo means "long time" (久) (ku) and "protect, maintain, guarantee" (保) (ho/bo).

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 Riho Iida within the Love Live! team.
    • Their respective characters, Hanayo Koizumi and Rin Hoshizora, 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.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 久保ユリカが1人しゃべりなんて胃が痛い。 Episode 1. April 8, 2014.
  2. μ's Fan Meeting Tour 2015 Session 1 at Nakano Sun Plaza. May 30, 2015
  3. Dengeki G's Magazine December 2010 issue
  4. Dengeki G's Magazine April 2016 issue
  5. Dengeki G's Magazine May 2016 issue
  6. おしゃべりやってま~すB!第70回放送より
  7. |clubDAM Interview
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