Sara, the blind biwa player and tragic assassin in Samurai Champloo, is voiced by Megumi Hayashibara in the Japanese version and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn in the English dub. Hayashibara’s performance is especially praised for its emotional depth, blending quiet sorrow with deadly precision.
Japanese Voice Actor: Megumi Hayashibara
Date of Birth
March 30, 1967
About Megumi
Megumi Hayashibara is one of the most legendary and influential voice actresses in anime history. Known for her incredible range and emotional expressiveness, she has portrayed a vast array of iconic characters across multiple decades. As Sara, Hayashibara delivers a restrained yet deeply moving performance, capturing the character’s inner conflict, loneliness, and strength.
Her ability to convey subtle emotion through minimal dialogue makes her portrayal of Sara one of the standout performances in Samurai Champloo.
Hometown
Tokyo, Japan
Career Highlights
- Sara – Samurai Champloo
- Rei Ayanami – Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Lina Inverse – Slayers
- Faye Valentine – Cowboy Bebop
- Ai Haibara – Detective Conan
- Jessie (Musashi) – Pokémon
Hayashibara’s role as Sara showcases her ability to deliver quiet, emotionally layered performances, contrasting with her more energetic or iconic roles.
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented anime voice acting credits from reputable databases; it may not be exhaustive.
Anime Television (Selected, Chronological Highlights)
- 1995 – Neon Genesis Evangelion (Rei Ayanami)
- 1995 – Slayers (Lina Inverse)
- 1998 – Cowboy Bebop (Faye Valentine)
- 1997–present – Pokémon (Jessie / Musashi)
- 2004 – Samurai Champloo (Sara)
- 2005–present – Detective Conan (Ai Haibara)
Anime Films (Selected)
- Evangelion film series (Rei Ayanami)
- Detective Conan films (Ai Haibara)
- Pokémon films (Jessie)
Video Games (Selected)
- Evangelion games (Rei Ayanami)
- Slayers games (Lina Inverse)
- Detective Conan games (Ai Haibara)
Critical Reception
Megumi Hayashibara’s performance as Sara has been widely praised for its subtlety and emotional weight. Critics and fans often highlight how her soft, melancholic delivery enhances the character’s tragic narrative and moral complexity.
- Anime News Network – Samurai Champloo review:
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/samurai-champloo - MyAnimeList – Megumi Hayashibara Profile:
https://myanimelist.net/people/14/Megumi_Hayashibara
These sources consistently recognize her as one of the most accomplished voice actresses in anime history.
Social Media
No verified official social media accounts with publicly confirmed handles and direct URLs were found.
English Voice Actor: Mary Elizabeth McGlynn
Date of Birth
October 16, 1966
About Mary
Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is an American voice actress, ADR director, and singer known for her powerful, mature vocal presence. She frequently portrays complex, strong-willed women and has an extensive career in both anime dubbing and video games. Her performance as Sara in Samurai Champloo is widely praised for its emotional restraint and haunting delivery.
McGlynn brings a quiet intensity to Sara, emphasizing the character’s sorrow, dignity, and inner conflict, making her one of the most memorable one-arc characters in the series.
Hometown
Newark, New Jersey, USA
Career Highlights
- Sara – Samurai Champloo
- Major Motoko Kusanagi – Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
- Julia – Cowboy Bebop
- Cornelia li Britannia – Code Geass
- Nina Williams – Tekken series
McGlynn is also well known for her work as an ADR director on numerous anime projects, helping shape English dub performances behind the scenes.
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented credits from reputable sources such as Behind The Voice Actors and industry databases; it may not be exhaustive.
Anime (English Dub – Selected, Chronological Highlights)
- 1998 – Cowboy Bebop (Julia)
- 2002 – Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (Major Motoko Kusanagi)
- 2004 – Samurai Champloo (Sara)
- 2006 – Code Geass (Cornelia li Britannia)
- 2010 – Naruto Shippuden (Kurenai Yuhi)
Animation / Direction Work
- ADR Director for numerous anime titles, including Naruto, Bleach, and Wolf’s Rain
Video Games (Selected)
- Tekken series (Nina Williams)
- Silent Hill series (voice and musical contributions)
- Metal Gear Solid series (additional voices)
Critical Reception
Mary Elizabeth McGlynn’s portrayal of Sara has been praised for its emotional depth and subtlety. Critics and fans often highlight how her calm, melancholic tone enhances the character’s tragic storyline.
- Behind The Voice Actors – Mary Elizabeth McGlynn Profile:
https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Mary-Elizabeth-McGlynn/ - MyAnimeList – Mary Elizabeth McGlynn Profile:
https://myanimelist.net/people/83/Mary_Elizabeth_McGlynn
These sources consistently emphasize her strength in portraying mature, emotionally layered characters.
Social Media
X: @MaryEMcGlynn (https://x.com/MaryEMcGlynn)
