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Kana
Kana is a voice actress whose career spanned nearly three decades, best known as the voice of Ran Mori in Detective Conan. She died on April 18, 2026, at age 61, and her role has been permanently succeeded by Akemi Okamura.
Synthesized from 3
Yomimono stories · updated
May 20
Voice actress Kana, known professionally as Wakana Yamazaki, died on April 18, 2026, at age 61 following an illness. Her agency Aoni Production announced in February that she would pause activities for medical treatment. She was best known as the voice of Ran Mori in the long-running anime series Detective Conan, a role she held since the series premiered in 1996. The Detective Conan production staff confirmed that Akemi Okamura, who had filled in since March 14, will permanently succeed her as the voice of Ran Mori. Creator Gosho Aoyama released a statement mourning her loss.
Beyond Detective Conan, Yamazaki voiced Meiko Akizuki in Marmalade Boy, Koan in Sailor Moon R, Nene in the Samurai Warriors game series, and Nojiko in One Piece. She received the Kei Tomiyama and Kazue Takahashi Award at the 19th Seiyuu Awards for her contributions to the profession. A funeral was held by close relatives. The cast and staff of Detective Conan, along with figures across the anime and game industries, posted public condolences on social media.
Two other stories in the coverage involve casting announcements for the Kirio Fan Club anime and the Witch on the Holy Night film, but neither story mentions Kana or Wakana Yamazaki. Those stories are unrelated to her career or death.
Key facts
- Date of death
- April 18, 2026 ↗
- Most famous role
- Ran Mori in Detective Conan (1996-2026) ↗
- Successor as Ran Mori
- Akemi Okamura ↗
- Award received
- Kei Tomiyama and Kazue Takahashi Award at the 19th Seiyuu Awards ↗
Timeline
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
All coverage
2d ago
The official website for the television anime adaptation of Haka Tokura's Magical Buffs: The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized! light novel series released a new promotional video on July 4. The video and accompanying announcement revealed three additional cast members: Akeno Watanabe as Camilla, Masaaki Mizunaka as Chronos, and Wakana Kuramochi as Rita Heinkes. They join previously announced leads Reiji Kawashima as Wim Strauss and Hana Hishikawa as Heidemarie. Crunchyroll confirmed at its Anime Expo 2026 panel on July 3 that it will stream the series and also showed an English-subtitled version of the trailer. The anime is set to premiere in January 2027. It will air on Tokyo MX, MBS, BS11, and 17 other channels, and will also be available on Netflix. Hideki Okamoto is directing the series at J.C. Staff. Takao Yoshioka is handling series scripts, Yu Murakami is designing the characters, and Yuki Hayashi, Luke Standridge, and Asa Taylor are composing the music. Seven Seas Entertainment has licensed the light novel and its manga adaptation for English release.
6d ago
Writer Ichiha Hiiragi and artist mimita will launch a new manga titled Kanade-kun no Shugorei Yarimasu! on Shogakukan's Manga ONE service on July 15. The story follows a high school girl who becomes the guardian spirit of her idol, a pianist. Hiiragi revealed the project was delayed by a rear-end collision accident.
Jun 27
COVER Corporation announced the first official concert delay view screening of Takanashi Kiara and Ninomae Ina'nis' "Drawn to Dawn" and a free screening of "hololive English 3rd Concert -All for One- Day 1" at Hyper Japan Festival 2026 in London from July 24-26. Tickets for the paid screening go on sale June 25.
Jun 22
The light anime adaptation of Hokuhoku Yakiimo and Kusabi Kurokawa's manga revealed its second teaser, ending song, and four new cast members. The series premieres July 7 on TV Kanagawa, with streaming on d Anime Store and Anime Times in Japan.
Jun 21
The television anime adaptation of nonco's manga "Mistress Kanan Is Devilishly Easy" has been green-lit for a second season. The announcement was made on the anime's official website on Sunday, June 20, 2026, immediately after the first season's finale aired. Character designer Akari Minagawa drew a commemorative illustration to mark the news. The first season premiered on April 4, 2026, on Tokyo MX and BS11, and is streamed by Crunchyroll with an English dub. The manga, which began serialization in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine in June 2022, has released 13 compiled volumes in Japan as of April 16, 2026. Seven Seas Entertainment will release the manga in English in omnibus format starting July 2026. The story follows Kanan, a demoness who infiltrates a human high school to feast on souls, but ends up in a relationship with a human boy, experiencing love for the first time. The first season was directed by Yasushi Muroya at Studio KAI, with series scripts by Rintarō Ikeda.
Jun 21
The staff for the television anime of Byū's Let's Go Kaikigumi manga released a full trailer, key visual, opening theme song, and a new cast member on Saturday. Kana Hanazawa joins as Yukinko. The horror comedy anime premieres July 5 on TBS and affiliates.
Jun 19
Kana Nishino performs the opening theme song "Power of Love" for the second cour of Ascendance of a Bookworm Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke. Moka Kamishiraishi, as adieu, performs the ending theme "Wanna me." The anime premiered on April 4 and airs for two consecutive cours on Yomiuri TV and NTV. Crunchyroll streams the series with subtitles and an English dub.
Jun 19
KADOKAWA will hold a pop-up shop at Yurakucho Marui in Tokyo from June 20 to July 5, 2026, commemorating the release of Kana Ishida Art Collection 3 graduation. The shop will sell new goods featuring illustrations from the art collection and past light novel covers. Items will also be available on Kadostore after the event.
Jun 18
Good Smile Arts Shanghai is releasing magnet-equipped deformed figures of Madoka Kaname and Homura Akemi from Puella Magi Madoka Magica under the Huggy Good Smile line. Pre-orders are open at AmiAmi for 1,620 yen each, with a December 2026 release date.
Jun 16
MechWolf Productions released 'Gastova: The Witches of Arkana,' a dot-eye side-scrolling action game inspired by 'Mega Man,' 'Metroid,' and 'Wonder Boy.' Players control the guardian witch Gastova, defeat corrupted fellow witches, borrow their powers, and collect costumes and wands. The game is available on Steam for 1,700 yen, with a 25% launch discount until June 23.
Jun 14
The Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) held the Grand Ceremony for Music Awards Japan 2026 on June 13 at Toyota Arena Tokyo. Sakanaction's "Kaiju," the theme song for the TV anime "Chi: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite," won Best Anime Song. It was the band's first anime theme song. Lead vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi said during the ceremony that the manga's author, Uoto, pushed for the band to be involved. Sakanaction also won Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Music Video, and Best Rock Band/Solo Artist, among other awards, totaling eight wins. Kenshi Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" from the "Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc" won Best J-POP Song and swept Best Japanese Song in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Mrs. Green Apple won Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year, plus Best J-POP Artist and the Fandom Special Award. HANA won New Artist of the Year. The Best Original Score for Animation went to the "Lazarus" soundtrack by Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points. Ado won Largest Live Audience (International). The awards event, now in its second year, had over 70 categories voted on by more than 5,000 music industry professionals.
Jun 12
The main promotional video for Bungo Stray Dogs Wan! 2 features the full cast of the spin-off series and previews the ending theme song "Bokura ~Ryunosuke Akutagawa Ver.~" performed by Kensho Ono. The anime begins airing on TOKYO MX and other channels on July 2, 2026, with streaming on d Anime Store the same day. The first season will also be rebroadcast starting July 2.
Jun 10
CloverWorks revealed the cast and characters for its original omnibus anime film Grotesqqque on Saturday. The 14-person cast includes Kana Ichinose, Maaya Uchida, Rie Kugimiya, and four members of Nogizaka46. The film, directed by Atsushi Nishigori, will open in 2026 and comprises three stories with different worldviews.
Jun 5
Good Smile Company has opened pre-orders for a Nendoroid of Takanashi Hoshino in her battle form from the game Blue Archive. The figure, listed on Amazon.co.jp at 7,130 yen, includes a shotgun, shield, auxiliary pistol, and three face plates: composed, serious, and embarrassed. It stands about 100 mm tall and is scheduled for release on November 30, 2026. The prototype was handled by Hora with production cooperation from Nendoron. Separately, Good Smile also began pre-orders for a Nendoroid Surprise trading figure set featuring six Blue Archive characters: Shiroko, Hoshino, Nonomi, Serika, Ayane, and Shiroko*Terror. That set costs 10,450 yen for a box of six, with a release date of January 31, 2027. Both items are available through Amazon.co.jp as of June 5, 2026.
Jun 5
Takanori Higuchi, who played Kaoru Kino/Another Agito in Kamen Rider Agito, announced on June 5 via X that he has joined PLAN-D, the agency headed by co-star Jun Kaname. Higuchi recently reprised his role in the anniversary film Agito: Supernatural War, released April 29.
Jun 3
The anime adaptation of Mayo Momoyo's light novel series Always a Catch! has cast Kana Hanazawa as the mysterious woman Zaira, who appears to hold a grudge against Maria. The character debuted in the 10th episode, which aired on Thursday in Japan.
Jun 1
An experiential exhibition for the TV anime "Kiriwo Fan Club" will run from June 26 to July 6, 2026, at GALLERY X BY PARCO in Shibuya PARCO, Tokyo. Titled "Kiriwo Fan Club no Fan Club Kiriwo Fan Club Exhibition," the event lets visitors experience the youth group drama of characters Aimi, Nami, and their friends from a fan's perspective. The space recreates the classroom of Ekoma High School, with installations featuring notable lines from the work. Limited-edition goods available only at the event include an "Oshi-dedicated Gaze Snap," a "Toute Bromide Case," and an "Ema with Things You Want to Do with Kirio-kun" capsule toy. Original collaboration products with creators connected to author Chikyū no Osakana Ponchan will also be sold. Three admission ticket tiers are offered: a basic ticket with a "ticket card," one adding a "serial number membership card," and a 3,000 yen limited ticket (100 available) that includes a "Daifuku Yaro Mascot" in addition to both cards. The exhibition is open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, with last entry 30 minutes before closing; the final day closes at 18:00.
May 31
Anime Feminist published a review of the first episode of Mistress Kanan is Devilishly Easy, a new anime adaptation of the ongoing manga. The review describes the premise: the thousand-year-old Gourmet Devil Kanan comes to Earth to devour souls, targeting high school student Youji Kyougi, but he misunderstands her intentions and declares them boyfriend and girlfriend. The reviewer finds the high school setting uncomfortable given the heavy focus on fan service and teenage sexuality, noting that Kanan looks sixteen despite her age. The review compares the dynamic unfavorably to Kakegurui, calling the execution rote. It also notes that the manga is twelve volumes and counting, localized by Seven Seas, but predicts the anime will not get a second season. The reviewer expresses disinterest rather than hatred, saying the joke grows stale quickly.
May 19
Voice actress Wakana Yamazaki, best known as the voice of Ran Mori in the long-running anime series Detective Conan, died on April 18 at age 61 following an illness. Her talent agency Aoni Production announced in February that she would pause activities for medical treatment. Yamazaki voiced the character since the series premiered in 1996, a role she held for nearly three decades. The Detective Conan production staff confirmed that Akemi Okamura, who had filled in since March 14, will permanently succeed her as the voice of Ran Mori. Creator Gosho Aoyama released a statement saying, "To think I'll never hear that gentle, comforting voice that was always there again... it's so sad." Yamazaki also voiced Meiko Akizuki in Marmalade Boy, Koan in Sailor Moon R, Nene in the Samurai Warriors game series, and Nojiko in One Piece. She received the Kei Tomiyama and Kazue Takahashi Award at the 19th Seiyuu Awards for her contributions to the profession. A funeral was held by close relatives. The cast and staff of Detective Conan, along with figures across the anime and game industries, posted public condolences on social media.
May 18
The Kirio Fan Club anime has added three new cast members: Yoko Hikasa as young Kirio, Yui Kanari as his childhood friend Nozomi, and Yu Serizawa as Yua. The characters debut in the eighth episode on May 21. The rom-com series premiered on April 2 and streams on HIDIVE.
May 16
Ufotable revealed on Saturday the returning voice cast and character visuals for the anime film adaptation of Type-Moon's visual novel Witch on the Holy Night. Haruka Tomatsu reprises her role as Aoko Aozaki, Kana Hanazawa returns as Alice Kuonji, and Yusuke Kobayashi voices Soujyuro Sizuki. The film is scheduled to open in 2026. The original visual novel, first released in Japan in 2012, is set in the late 1980s and follows Aoko, a high school student reluctantly apprenticed to the witch Alice, alongside the transfer student Soujyuro. A fully voiced HD remaster of the game launched on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in December 2022 and on Steam in December 2023. The PS4 and Switch versions have sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. The film was first announced in December 2021. Ufotable is handling animation production. A key visual was released in March 2026.