Miyoko Asō was a highly respected Japanese actress and voice actor whose career spanned from the late 1940s until her death in 2018. Born on April 7, 1926, in Tokyo, Asō began her professional journey in the entertainment industry after World War II, joining a children's theater group in 1947 before moving into radio dramas and eventually television, anime, and film dubbing. Throughout her long career, she was affiliated with the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society, where she became known for her calm, motherly tone and her ability to bring dignified older women characters to life.

Asō is best known as the original voice of Fune Isono, the matriarch of the titular family in the long-running anime series Sazae-san. She originated this role in 1969 and continued to voice the character for 46 years until her retirement from the part in 2015, making her a beloved Sunday staple in households across Japan. Her extensive filmography includes many other memorable roles, such as the strict housekeeper Miss Rottenmeier in Heidi, Girl of the Alps; the powerful and cunning elder Cologne in the Ranma ½ franchise and its related films and OAVs; and the pipe-smoking automail mechanic Pinako Rockbell in both Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

In addition to these signature parts, Asō's career was filled with numerous supporting roles that showcased her versatility. Her credits include the Old Woman in The Harp of Burma, Golas in Dragon Quest Saga: Emblem of Roto, Fune Isono in Sazae-san, Mitsuko Nozawa in Raining Fire, the Sea Queen Dowager in Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, Kiyo in Botchan, Takao's Mother in Captain, Tomi in Animated Classics of Japanese Literature, Grandma in Maegami-Taro, a Grandmother in Lucy-May of the Southern Rainbow, Machiko's Aunt in Miss Machiko, Barbara in Angie Girl, the Mother in Jack and the Beanstalk, Sherin in Xanadu Dragonslayer Densetsu, Lady Fermoy in Niji no Kanata e! Shōjo Diana-hi Monogatari, Hara in Little Twins, the Fairy Godmother in Hello Kitty: Cinderella, Kayo Hijiri in Attack on Tomorrow, Muori in Mori no Tonto-tachi, the Mother Duck in Bannertail: The Story of Gray Squirrel, and Jane Watson in Huckleberry no Bōken. Asō was also active in dubbing foreign films, providing the Japanese voice for characters such as Marilla Cuthbert from the Anne of Green Gables series and Mama Mousekewitz from An American Tail. Beyond on-screen roles, she was a familiar voice as a narrator for programs like Wafū Sōhonke.

Throughout her long career, Asō was known for her professionalism, warmth, and mentorship of younger actors. Her significant contributions to the voice acting industry were formally recognized when she received the Merit Award at the 7th Tokyo Anime Awards in 2011 and the prestigious Merit Award at the 6th Seiyu Awards in 2012. Miyoko Asō passed away on August 25, 2018, at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy as one of Japan's most cherished and enduring voice actors.