Fuko Ibuki, the endearingly eccentric first-year student of Clannad whose obsession with starfish and single-minded determination to help her sister become one of the series’ most beloved — and quietly tearful — early arcs, is voiced in Japanese by Ai Nonaka and in the English dub by Hilary Haag. Both actresses match the character’s childlike, slightly unhinged energy to perfection.
Ai Nonaka — Japanese Voice of Fuko Ibuki
Date of Birth
June 8, 1981
About Ai
Ai Nonaka is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Sawara-ku, Fukuoka, affiliated with Aoni Production. Known affectionately to fans as “Ai-pon,” she gravitates toward bright, energetic characters with a tendency toward dramatic declarations and unyielding single-mindedness — qualities that made her ideally suited for Fuko. Her performance as Fuko is a careful balance of comic energy and emotional sincerity, ensuring the character’s arc lands with genuine weight despite its whimsical setup.
Hometown
Sawara-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
Career Highlights
- Clannad – Fuko Ibuki
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica – Kyoko Sakura
- Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei – Kafuka Fu’ura
- Negima! Magister Negi Magi – Konoka Konoe
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Tora
Full Current Filmography
Below is a structured list of verifiable roles based on available sources (may not be exhaustive):
Television Anime
- 2003 – Stellvia — Shima Katase
- 2006–present – Negima! Magister Negi Magi — Konoka Konoe
- 2007–2009 – Clannad / Clannad: After Story — Fuko Ibuki
- 2007–2008 – Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei — Kafuka Fu’ura
- 2011–2012 – Puella Magi Madoka Magica — Kyoko Sakura
Games
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2 — Tora
- Dead or Alive series — Honoka
Note: This list reflects documented credits from cited sources and may not be exhaustive.
Critical Reception
Nonaka’s Fuko is celebrated as one of the most memorable comic performances in the Clannad cast — her delivery of the character’s starfish obsessions and dramatic proclamations provides genuine comedic relief while never undermining the character’s emotional arc. When Fuko’s story reaches its most poignant moments, Nonaka’s ability to shift registers is what makes the audience feel the weight of what they’re watching. Her performance is frequently cited as the reason Fuko became such a fan favorite.
Our Sources
Social Media
No verified official public social media accounts were found from reliable sources.
Hilary Haag — English Voice of Fuko Ibuki
Date of Birth
Not publicly disclosed
About Hilary
Hilary Haag is an American voice actress from San Antonio, Texas, who studied English Rhetoric at Texas A&M University before pursuing a career in anime dubbing. Known for her naturally child-like voice, she has been cast frequently in younger female roles across her career. As Fuko, that natural vocal quality is a perfect fit — her English performance captures the character’s innocent, single-track mind without resorting to affectation, making Fuko feel genuinely childlike rather than performed.
Hometown
San Antonio, Texas, USA
Career Highlights
- Clannad – Fuko Ibuki
- Full Metal Panic! – Teletha Testarossa
- Chrono Crusade – Rosette Christopher
- Trinity Blood – Seth Nightroad
- Girls und Panzer – Katyusha
Full Current Filmography
Below is a structured list of verifiable roles based on available sources (may not be exhaustive):
Television Anime
- 1996–present – Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 — Nene Romanova
- 2002–present – Full Metal Panic! — Teletha Testarossa
- 2003–2004 – Chrono Crusade — Rosette Christopher
- 2007–2009 – Clannad — Fuko Ibuki
- 2012–2013 – Girls und Panzer — Katyusha
Note: This list reflects documented credits from cited sources and may not be exhaustive.
Critical Reception
Haag’s English performance as Fuko is widely praised as one of the standout characterizations in the Clannad dub. Her natural vocal qualities suit Fuko’s child-like fixations without making the character feel caricatured, and her delivery of the arc’s emotional turning points maintains the balance between comedy and heartbreak that makes the Fuko arc so effective. Dub fans frequently cite Fuko as one of the English cast’s best performances.
Our Sources
Social Media
No verified official public social media accounts were found from reliable sources.
