Mariko Mukai is a highly respected Japanese voice actor born on October 13, 1937, in Tokyo, Japan. She is affiliated with the talent agency 81 Produce. Her career in the entertainment industry began in the 1950s, following a brief period with the Takarazuka Revue, after which she transitioned to radio drama and then to television and voice acting. In recognition of her extensive and influential career, she was awarded the Merit Award at the first Seiyu Awards in 2007.

Mukai's voice acting portfolio is vast and includes numerous iconic roles from the early decades of Japanese animation. She is particularly well-known for her long-standing association with the Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball franchises created by Akira Toriyama. In the 1981 Dr. Slump & Arale-chan series and its subsequent films, she voiced the characters Midori Norimaki (later Yamabuki-sensei). This connection continued into the Dragon Ball series, where she provided the voice for Bulma's mother. Her other significant anime roles from the 1980s include Aiko Hageda in Tsurupika Hagemaru-kun, the title character Pe-chan in Tonde Mon Pe, Matsu in the adaptation of Wagahai wa Neko de Aru, and Hamano Sango (also known as Mama) in Asari-chan Ai no Marchen Shōjo.

Her career also spans earlier decades with roles in classic series such as Yoshiko Koizumi in the 1965 Obake no Q-Taro, Asari in Space Ace, and Yōko in the 1976 series Manga Hana no Kakarichō. She also contributed to numerous films and OVAs, including the role of Chikako's Mother in Kennel Tokorozawa, Ayame in Don Quijote, Josephine's mom in Namakemono ga Miteta, and Mama in Rocky Rackat!.

Beyond anime, Mariko Mukai is famously known as the regular Japanese dubbing voice for Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe. This unique specialization began with the film The Misfits and became a hallmark of her career, with her voice becoming synonymous with Monroe for Japanese audiences.