Biography
Machiko was born in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan. Raised modestly, she was initially groomed to be a singer, though her true talent lay in acting. She was discovered after performing in a play at Tokyo Center, an event that changed her life as she connected with many prominent figures in Japanese television.
Her mother passed away during her childhood, and she was raised by her father. She had two brothers and a sister; one brother died during World War II, while the other survived. Her father succumbed to cancer in 1991. In 1973, she spent two years studying in Italy.
After years of jazz dance training, Machiko’s early work consisted mainly of radio and voice acting roles. She debuted in NHK’s radio drama Chorinmura to Kurumi no Ki (1961) and later became famous as the first voice actress for the beloved ghost Q-taro in Obake no Q-taro (TBS, 1965-1968).
She is best known to tokusatsu fans for her villainous roles in the Super Sentai series, including Queen Hedrian in Denziman and Sun Vulcan. She also appeared in Maskman as Tube Empire’s field commander and briefly as Baraba’s mother. Her most iconic role was the evil sorceress Bandora in Zyuranger, known to English-speaking audiences as Rita Repulsa in the American adaptation, Power Rangers. Interestingly, she later re-dubbed her own lines as Rita when Power Rangers aired in Japan after its unexpected success in the U.S. Her final tokusatsu role was Magiel, Queen of the Sky Saints in Magiranger, one of her rare non-villainous characters. In tribute, Power Rangers: Mystic Force used footage of her as Magiel to portray a reformed Rita Repulsa in the two-part finale, "Mystic Fate."
Her last role was in the PlayStation 2 game Space Sheriff Spirits, where she voiced and provided the likeness for Ankoku Ginga Jyoou (Dark Galaxy Queen), the final boss and an original character inspired by the 1980s Metal Hero series. She also voiced Cyborg 007 in the 1968 Cyborg 009 anime and the sidekick Ball Boy in the 1984 series Machineman. Additionally, Machiko owned a shop selling jewelry, antique clothing, and tapestries.
In early August 2005, it was revealed she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about two years prior. On the morning of May 7, 2006, a friend found her deceased at her home. She was 68 years old. She was laid to rest at Tama Cemetery in Fuchu, Tokyo.
