The Voice of Detective Conan Falls Silent: Wakana Yamazaki, the Voice of Ran Mouri, Passes Away at 61
Very sad news has arrived from the anime world today that has broken our hearts. Legendary artist Wakana Yamazaki, who has voiced Ran Mouri, one of the most beloved characters in the Detective Conan (Meitantei Conan) series since 1996, passed away on April 18, 2026, at the age of 61. The agency Aoni Production, to which the artist was affiliated, officially announced on May 15 that Yamazaki had been receiving treatment for an ongoing illness but could not be saved despite all efforts. At the request of her family, the funeral ceremony was held privately with only close relatives in attendance.
The creator of the series, Gosho Aoyama, expressed his deep sorrow in a message released following this painful loss. Aoyama emphasized Yamazaki's indispensable place in the series, stating, "It is very sad that we will no longer be able to hear that soft and peaceful voice that we always felt was naturally by our side..." Not only Aoyama, but many of her colleagues, such as Kappei Yamaguchi, who voices Shinichi Kudo in the series, and Naoko Matsui, who brings Ran's best friend Sonoko Suzuki to life, also shared emotional condolences on social media. Matsui's message, "Ran... I will remain your friend for a lifetime," moved fans to tears.
Born in Yokohama in 1965, Wakana Yamazaki began her career in the early 1990s and quickly became one of the most respected names in the industry. Although she was known worldwide for her role as Ran Mouri, she also left a lasting impression with characters such as Meiko Akizuki in the Marmalade Boy series, Nojiko in the One Piece series, and Ayane in the popular fighting game Dead or Alive.
