Japanese voice actress Wakana Yamazaki, best known for voicing Ran Mori in the long-running anime series Detective Conan, has died at the age of 61 following an illness.
According to reports, Yamazaki passed away on April 18 after battling health complications.
Born in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Yamazaki built a celebrated career in Japan’s anime and entertainment industry spanning several decades.
She was widely recognised for portraying Ran Mori, one of the main characters in Detective Conan, for around 30 years, making her voice deeply familiar to generations of anime fans worldwide.
Apart from Detective Conan, Yamazaki also voiced several notable anime characters, including the lead role in Himitsu no Akko-chan.
In addition to her animation work, she also served for many years as a narrator on the Japanese infotainment television programme “Sunday Japon”.
Reports stated that Yamazaki had temporarily stepped away from work in February this year to focus on medical treatment.
News of her passing has since sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and members of the anime community, many remembering her as one of the most recognisable and beloved voices in Japanese animation.
