Emi Shinohara was a celebrated Japanese voice actress known for her extensive work in anime from the 1980s through the 2020s, particularly for her iconic roles as Sailor Jupiter in the original Sailor Moon series and Kushina Uzumaki in Naruto: Shippuden. Born on August 8, 1963, in Fukushima Prefecture and raised in Nagano, she initially pursued music education at the Kunitachi College of Music with the goal of becoming an actress. Her entry into the voice acting industry came in 1986 when she was cast as B-ko Daitokuji in the film Project A-ko after being encouraged to audition by a sound director who was her instructor.

Shinohara's career-defining role arrived in 1992 when she began voicing Makoto Kino, also known as Sailor Jupiter, in the original Sailor Moon anime series. This performance established her as a prominent talent in the industry, and she continued to voice the character throughout the series' run and its associated films. Beyond Sailor Moon, she built a remarkable legacy by bringing to life a wide range of characters, often portraying strong, mature, or maternal figures. Notable among these were Kaho Mizuki in Cardcaptor Sakura and its sequel series Clear Card, Kagero in the film Ninja Scroll, Presea in Magic Knight Rayearth, and Charlotte Elbourne in Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

Throughout her decades-long career, Shinohara amassed an extensive list of credits, demonstrating her versatility across various genres. She provided voices for characters in numerous popular series, including Ophelia in Claymore, Natsuhi Ushiromiya in Umineko When They Cry, Misuzu Misaka in A Certain Magical Index II, Yōko Mizuno in Maria Watches Over Us, and Chizuru Tōmi in the Fafner in the Azure franchise. Her later work included the role of Kushina Uzumaki, the mother of the protagonist in Naruto: Shippuden, which introduced her to a new generation of fans. One of her final anime roles was Izumi Motoko, the mother of the male lead in the 2022 series Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie. In addition to anime, she was active in dubbing foreign films and series, lending her voice to characters in live-action works like Léon: The Professional and Trainspotting, as well as animation such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She was also a singer, releasing several albums during the 1990s.

Emi Shinohara passed away on September 8, 2024, at the age of 61 while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues, celebrating her enduring contributions to anime and the memorable characters she brought to life.