Maaya Sakamoto voices Motoko Kusanagi in Science SARU's 2026 Ghost in the Shell TV anime, which is airing and streaming. She also voices Walu in the Madoka Magica film Walpurgisnacht Rising.
Maaya Sakamoto's year has been defined by two roles in established franchises. In July 2026 she took over as Motoko Kusanagi in Science SARU's Ghost in the Shell TV anime, succeeding Atsuko Tanaka, and the series premiered on July 7 on Japanese television and Prime Video, with streaming expanding to more services on July 8. The wide launch across DMM TV, U-NEXT, dAnime Store, Netflix, and other services put the show in front of viewers in over 240 countries and regions. Coverage of the casting framed the transition around gratitude and sadness at succeeding Tanaka.
Two months later, the same promotional pattern repeated on a different franchise. The Madoka Magica Walpurgisnacht Rising staff announced on September 11 that Sakamoto voices Walu, an unnamed upperclassman who has Homura Akemi's face. The reveal came with a trailer and a third key visual on Aniplex's Aniplex One Focus 2026 stream. The character was once guided by the Law of Cycles and returned to the present world through Namazuka Sokone. The film opened in Japan on August 28 with IMAX screenings, ranked first in its opening weekend, and sold 535,000 tickets for 939,647,100 yen in three days.
Between those two announcements, Sakamoto appeared at the Fate/Grand Order Exhibition -Stargazing Corridor- opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 17, alongside Ayako Kawasumi. The exhibition runs through September 14 at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills and includes a Production Materials Room, an Event Story Archive, and a Journey of Chaldea corridor. Sakamoto and Kawasumi discussed memories of the game and new recordings they contributed.
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fact links the story it came from.
Sep 11
The staff of Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Walpurgisnacht Rising announced on Saturday that Maaya Sakamoto voices Walu, an unnamed upperclassman who has Homura Akemi's face and no known identity. The reveal came with a new trailer and a third key visual drawn by original character designer Ume Aoki on Aniplex's Aniplex One Focus 2026 stream, showing Madoka, Homura, and Walu together. Walu was once guided by the Law of Cycles and returned to the present world through Namazuka Sokone. Yukihiro Miyamoto directs the film, with Akiyuki Simbo as chief director and Gen Urobuchi on script. The film opened in Japan on August 28 with IMAX screenings the same day, ranked first in its opening weekend, and sold 535,000 tickets for 939,647,100 yen (about US$5.95 million) in three days.
Jul 17
The Fate/Grand Order Exhibition -Stargazing Corridor- opened on July 17, 2026 at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, and runs through September 14. The exhibition spans seven areas, including a Production Materials Room filled with floor-to-ceiling development documents, an Event Story Archive with dioramas and 3D models from past limited-time events, and a Journey of Chaldea corridor featuring large illustrations and a life-sized figure of Mash Kyrielight in her Paladin form. A new animated video plays in the Opening Theater, and an audio guide with voices from Rie Takahashi and other cast members is available. Voice actors Ayako Kawasumi and Maaya Sakamoto attended the opening ceremony, where they discussed their memories of the game and the new recordings they contributed. The exhibition also includes a merchandise store and a collaboration cafe at THE SUN & THE MOON on the same floor. Tickets range from 3,500 yen for regular advance admission to 6,800 yen for same-day admission with goods. The event is produced under the concept of 'everything about Fate/Grand Order' and includes materials that contain spoilers for the Part 2 Final Chapter, which concluded in 2025.
Jul 16
The 2026 TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell, produced by Science SARU, began streaming on July 7 via Amazon Prime Video, with other services following on July 8. The series is a new interpretation of Shirow Masamune's manga. Streaming options include DMM TV, U-NEXT, dAnime Store, Netflix, and others, with various free trial periods and pricing.
Jul 9
The new Ghost in the Shell TV anime, produced by Science SARU, has revealed its main cast. Maaya Sakamoto voices Motoko Kusanagi, succeeding Atsuko Tanaka. Kazuhiro Yamaji, Hiroki Yasumoto, and Yuichi Nakamura also star. The series began airing on July 7 on the Fire Anime!! block on Kantele and Fuji TV.
Jul 7
The new Ghost in the Shell television anime from Science SARU premiered on July 7, 2026, on Japanese television and began streaming on Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions. The series, directed by Mokochan in his directorial debut, features Maaya Sakamoto as the voice of Motoko Kusanagi, taking over the role after the death of original voice actress Atsuko Tanaka in August 2024. The cast also includes Kazuhiro Yamaji as Daisuke Aramaki, Hiroki Yasumoto as Batou, and Yuichi Nakamura as Togusa. Toh Enjoe writes and oversees the series scripts, while Shuhei Handa handles character design and chief animation direction. Taisei Iwasaki composes the music with Ryō Konishi and Yuki Kanesaka. King Gnu performs the opening theme "Go Ghost," and MILLENNIUM PARADE feat. Saya Gray and Daniel Caesar perform the ending theme "Blue." The anime had its global premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June with its first two episodes, and also screened at Anime Expo on July 4. Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, Science SARU, and Production I.G are on the production committee.