Urara Takano is a veteran Japanese actress, voice actress, and narrator. She was born on August 16, 1961, in Togane, Chiba, Japan. Her real name is Hisako Takayama, and she is affiliated with and serves as a representative director of the talent management company REMAX. Standing 158 cm tall with blood type B, Takano is also the mother of actress and voice actress Anna Kirie.

Takano's path to voice acting was shaped by diverse early experiences. Growing up as the youngest child, she often acted as a leader among friends. Her mother was a music teacher, which led to Takano learning piano from a young age and participating in choir throughout her school years. She was also academically gifted, with her elementary school compositions being used as part of Chiba Prefecture's standardized testing for five years. From junior high school, she developed English proficiency through children's newspapers and even spent a month on a homestay in the United States during her second year. For her senior year of high school, she transferred to an institution in Australia.

Initially aiming to be an actress, she briefly joined Theatre Academy but withdrew on her first day. She then trained at the Literature Theatrical Art School but was not promoted to full company membership. After a year working as an office lady, she joined a different theatrical troupe before discovering her passion for voice acting in 1984 through a workshop led by veteran voice actress Michiko Nomura. This workshop coincided with the founding of the talent agency Ken Production, which she joined. Her professional debut came in 1986 with a leading role in the anime Ganbare, Jūsēn!.

Takano is renowned for her versatile vocal range, frequently portraying energetic young boys, a niche she has filled throughout her long career. Among her many anime roles, some of the most prominent include Ryo Takaba in the Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!! series, Kai Hiwatari in Beyblade, Musashi Kazama in Grander Musashi, Kenichi in Nekketsu Saikyō Gozaurer, and Gipple in Mahōjin Guru Guru. She has also taken on villainous roles such as Marller in Oh My Goddess!, Sasorina in Heartcatch Precure!, and Illumi Zoldyck in Hunter × Hunter. Other notable credits from the user's list include the role of Tanuki-kun in Non-tan to Issho, Li Mochou in Legend of the Condor Hero, and Francis Drake in the Fate/Grand Order franchise.

However, her single most iconic and enduring role is Maria Tachibana in the Sakura Wars series, encompassing the video games, television anime, and numerous stage musicals. Her collaborations with fellow Sakura Wars cast members have continued beyond the series; in 2012, she formed a theatrical performance unit called Kounenki-zu with Mayumi Tanaka, Kazue Ikura, and composer Eri Takeda. She also formed a duo performance unit with voice actress Ai Orikasa.

Beyond her extensive voice work, Takano has also worked as a narrator and pursued a side career as a jazz singer, releasing singles and albums. Her fluency in English has also led to numerous dubbing roles for foreign films and television series, including starring as the lead in La Femme Nikita. With a career spanning nearly four decades and a leadership role within her agency, Urara Takano remains a highly respected and active figure in the Japanese entertainment industry.