Voice actress Yamazaki Wakana passed away on April 18, 2026. Known for her role as Mori Ran in the famous Meitantei Conan, as well as playing Atsuko Kagami in Himitsu no Akko-chan (third series) and narrating for Sunday Japon, she was active in a wide range of fields. Here we look back at some of the representative anime roles she performed.
■ ‘Meitantei Conan’ – Mori Ran
Theatrical film Meitantei Conan: Highway no Datenshi
Meitantei Conan is a mystery manga by Aoyama Gōshō that has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday since 1994. The story follows high school detective Kudo Shin’ichi, who is forced to take a mysterious poison by the Black Organization and transformed into a child. Under the alias Edogawa Conan, he pursues the organization while solving numerous difficult cases with his friends.
The original comic has exceeded 107 volumes, with total worldwide circulation surpassing 270 million copies. The TV series began airing in 1996, and the latest theatrical film, Meitantei Conan: Highway no Datenshi, has been in theaters since April 10, 2026. On May 7, it was announced that the film’s box office revenue had exceeded 10.88 billion yen, achieving an unprecedented fourth consecutive year of breaking 10 billion yen.
Yamazaki-san’s character Mori Ran is Shin’ichi’s childhood friend and the heroine of the series. Because her father, detective Mōri Kogorō, and her mother, lawyer Kisaki Eri, are separated, Ran lives with her father and takes care of the household. She is a capable student at Teitan High School and a member of the karate club, strong enough to win major tournaments, but she is afraid of thunder and ghosts.
She had played the role for 30 years since the anime began, but in February of this year, she announced that she would be suspending activities due to poor health. Okamura Akemi, known for her role as Nami in ONE PIECE, took over as her substitute.
Following her passing, the official Meitantei Conan account stated regarding the future of Mori Ran: “With respect for the character that Yamazaki Wakana cherished and nurtured, Okamura Akemi will continue to play the role.” It confirmed that Okamura-san, who had already been serving as a substitute, will continue in the role.
■ ‘Himitsu no Akko-chan’ (3rd series) – Atsuko Kagami
Himitsu no Akko-chan began serialization in the shōjo manga magazine Ribon in 1962. It became popular as a fantasy comedy about the protagonist Akko, who receives a magic compact and can transform into anything she likes.
Known as a landmark magical girl series, it was adapted into TV anime three times: in 1969, 1988, and 1998. A live-action film was also released in 2012, making it a beloved classic across generations.
Yamazaki-san played the role of Akko in the 1998 version.
■ ‘GS Mikami’ – Maria
GS Mikami is based on the manga GS Mikami – Gokuraku Daisakusen!! serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday (Shogakukan) from 1991 to 1999. It is an occult comedy about modern exorcist (Ghost Sweeper) Reiko Mikami, who, along with her low-wage hired boy Yokoshima Tadao and the ghost of a shrine maiden who died 300 years ago named O-Kinu, exorcises ghosts, monsters, and demons that threaten society’s safety and economy.
A TV anime by Toei Animation (then Toei Doga) began in 1993. It featured popular voice actors including Tsuru Hiromi as Reiko, Horikawa Ryō (now Horikawa Ryō), and Kōda Mariko.
Among them, the character Yamazaki-san played was an artificial human created by Dr. Chaos using the pinnacle of magical science. She possesses the power to break rocks, can fly with jet propulsion, and has various weapons built into her body. She is expressionless and absolutely obedient to Chaos, but seems to possess something akin to human emotion.
■ ‘Marmalade Boy’ – Meiko Akizuki
Marmalade Boy is based on the hugely popular comic by Yoshizumi Wataru, with a cumulative circulation of over 10 million copies. It was adapted into a TV anime in 1994, a theatrical film in 1995, and a Taiwanese TV drama in 2001, making it a multi-media hit.
The story begins when the protagonist, Koisikawa Miki, is suddenly told by her parents that they are divorcing. During a trip to Hawaii, her family meets the Matsuura couple and they hit it off; her mother falls in love with the husband, and her father with the wife. They decide to swap partners and remarry. Miki starts living together with the Matsuuras’ only son, Yū, who is the same age as her, and gradually finds herself attracted to him.
Yamazaki-san played Meiko Akizuki, Miki’s close friend. She comes from an extremely wealthy family, but her family circumstances are complicated and seem to trouble her. She has been secretly dating Mr. Namura (the teacher) since middle school.
■ ‘Gokinjo Monogatari’ – Mai Ōta
Gokinjo Monogatari is a work by manga artist Yazawa Ai, known for many famous works such as NANA and Tenshi Nanka Janai. The story centers on aspiring designer Kōda Mikako, her childhood friend Yamaguchi Tsumoto, and the friendships and youth of her unique friends. It was serialized in Ribon (Shūeisha) from 1995 to 1997 and adapted into an anime in 1995.
Mai Ōta is a friend of Mikako’s. She is good at making stuffed animals; her representative works include “Petit François” and “Pooh the Bear”. She usually carries a rabbit plushie named “Petit François” and has a preference for people who look good in white tights. She also once had a crush on Kizaki.
