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Former Hello Kitty voice Soness, fresh from her post-sumo injury tour, talks growing-up homeless in a Japanese hatchback, being replaced by AI, and how not to turn into your mother. 'One of the most genial hours on offer'(TheQR.co.uk)[s]*[/s][s]*[/s][s]*[/s][s]*[/s] www.soness.com

News and Reviews for this Show

August 8, 2025  One4Review File this one under “unexpected Fringe gems.” If you haven’t heard of comedian Soness before, don’t sweat it—outside Japan, her name might not be household, but chances are you’ve definitely heard her voice. Especially if you’ve grown up around kids over the past 30 years. That gentle, iconic tone? That’s her. Soness is an American transplant living in Japan and has been a prolific voice actor for decades. Her claim to fame? She’s been the voice of Hello Kitty for around 25 years. In a testament to her global reach, the audience includes superfans who’ve travelled all the way from Japan, alongside Fringe veterans who’ve seen it all. The atmosphere? Universally warm, full of affection and genuine appreciation. At its core, Bigger in Japan is a story about finding your voice—literally and metaphorically—and staking your place in the world. Of course, the Hello Kitty legacy takes centre stage, but Soness’s career stretches far beyond that. From video game characters and anime roles to commercials and educational shorts, she’s lent her voice to a stunning array of projects. Each tale she tells is sprinkled with natural comedic charisma and dry humour, especially when she dips into her earlier days, including a brief stint in sumo wrestling—yes, you read that right. The show clocks in at a tight 40 minutes, and while it’s over before you know it, the experience isn’t just about the performance. It’s capped off with a lively, candid Q&A session where the audience can ask anything—from behind-the-scenes stories to how she navigates a voice acting career few truly understand. Bigger in Japan is exactly the kind of hidden treasure the Fringe throws up from time to time—an intimate, fascinating glimpse into a world rarely seen, told by someone who’s been there and done it with grace, humour, and a hint of mystery. Over the years, the Fringe has hosted vocal greats like Michael Wilson and Nancy Cartwright; Soness easily fits into that distinguished category. If you want something genuinely different and utterly charming, this is well worth tracking down. And bring your kids—they’ll Arigato! you for it. Click Here

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