File this one under “unexpected Fringe gems.”

If you haven’t heard of Soness before, don’t worry — outside Japan her name may not be household, but chances are you’ve heard her voice. Especially if you’ve been around kids in the last 30 years. That gentle, iconic tone? That’s her.

An American transplant living in Japan, Soness has been the voice of Hello Kitty for 25 years, and a prolific voice actor for decades. No surprise that fans from Japan were in attendance adding to an atmosphere of global warmth and affection.

Bigger in Japan is about finding your place and voice in the world — literally and metaphorically — and claiming your place in the world. The Hello Kitty work is covered, of course, but Soness’s career goes far beyond the feline: anime, video games, commercials, and more. Each story is told with natural charisma and wry humour, especially when she dips into her early days, including an unexpected stint in sumo wrestling — yes, really.

The show runs a lean 40 minutes, yet manages to cover a lot, finishing with a lively Q&A where the audience get everything from practical advice on becoming a voice actor to behind-the-scenes gems.

The Fringe has played host to vocal greats like Michael Winslow and Nancy Cartwright; Soness fits right into that lineage. Bigger in Japan is what the Fringe does best: an intimate, fascinating glimpse into a life less ordinary. It’s different, it’s charming, and it leaves you grinning. Bring your kids — they’ll arigato you for it.