Romi Dames
A voice actress who brought iconic anime characters to life for a generation of English-speaking fans with sharp wit and emotional depth.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Japanese and American actress·Birthday: November 5·Generation X
Biography
Born in Tokyo and raised in Los Angeles, Romi Dames found her niche at the intersection of two cultures. Her bilingual fluency and vocal talent made her a natural for voice acting, particularly in the booming world of anime dubbing. Dames broke out with her portrayal of the fiery, competitive Haruhi Fujioka in 'Ouran High School Host Club', capturing the character's defiant spirit and hidden vulnerability. She further cemented her status by voicing the cunning and complex Tohru Honda in 'Fruits Basket'. Beyond these beloved roles, her career spans video games and animated series, where she often plays sharp-tongued or intellectually formidable characters. Dames's work helped define the sound of 2000s anime for Western audiences, giving personality and authenticity to some of the medium's most memorable figures.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Romi was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Romi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Romi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Provided the English voice for the lead character Haruhi Fujioka in the popular anime series 'Ouran High School Host Club'.
- Voiced the pivotal role of Tohru Honda in the English dub of the anime 'Fruits Basket'.
- Has voiced characters in major video game franchises including 'Fire Emblem Heroes' and 'World of Warcraft'.
Did You Know?
She is fluent in both English and Japanese.
She provided the voice for the character of Pop in the English dub of the anime 'Bleach'.
She studied at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
“A character's voice isn't just an accent; it's their entire heart.”
