Daveigh Chase, the voice actress behind Chihiro in Studio Ghibli's beloved 2001 film Spirited Away, has died at 35. According to TMZ, Chase passed away on Tuesday from meningitis and a blood infection that led to septic complications.

Chase became widely recognized for her voice work in anime and animated films. Beyond Spirited Away, she voiced Lilo in Disney's 2002 film Lilo & Stitch and reprised the role across various sequels, television series, and video games. Her career spanned both animation and live-action projects, including notable roles in The Ring as Samara Morgan, the HBO series Big Love as Rhonda Volmer, and the cult classic film Donnie Darko as Samantha Darko.

For anime fans, Chase's performance as Chihiro remains iconic in the English dub of Spirited Away. Her voice brought warmth and vulnerability to the character as she navigated the mysterious bathhouse, helping the film connect with English-speaking audiences worldwide. The 2001 film has since become one of Studio Ghibli's most internationally successful works, reaching new generations through streaming platforms and theatrical re-releases.

Chase's contributions to voice acting helped establish the quality standard for English dubs of Japanese animation during a period when anime was gaining mainstream traction in North America. Her work demonstrated that thoughtful voice casting could preserve the emotional depth of original performances while making stories accessible to different audiences.

The anime community has mourned the loss of voice actors and creators before, and Chase's passing marks another significant loss for those who grew up with her performances. Her role as Chihiro particularly resonates, as Spirited Away continues to introduce new viewers to anime and Japanese storytelling each year.