Wakana Yamazaki, the legendary voice behind Ran Mouri in Detective Conan and 'Jieun' in Goddess of Victory: NIKKE, has sadly passed away this April at the age of 61.

Her agency, Aoni Production, released a formal statement on the 15th to confirm the news. They expressed their profound gratitude for her unwavering dedication and years of contribution, offering their sincerest condolences for her passing.

Yamazaki-san began her career back in 1990, voicing Midori in the TV animation 'Kariage-kun'. She went on to build a solid career, lending her voice to various supporting roles, including the notable character Meiko Akizuki in 'Marmalade Boy'.

Of course, it was her iconic role as the series heroine Ran Mouri in 'Detective Conan' that truly catapulted her to stardom. For 30 years, from the series' inception in 1996 through 2026, she remained the definitive voice for the character across both television and film. Gosho Aoyama, the creator of Detective Conan, shared his heartbreak, stating, 'It is devastating to think I will no longer hear that gentle, comforting voice that had always been by my side.'

Beyond her animation work, she was a familiar presence in gaming. Her credits include Ayane in 'Dead or Alive' and 'Ninja Gaiden', Harpy in 'Puyo Puyo CD', and Kei Nagase in 'Ace Combat 5'. Players in Korea will likely remember her as the voice of Jieun, a high-ranking researcher at the Missilis Industry lab in 'Goddess of Victory: NIKKE'. Shift Up took to the official Japanese NIKKE X account on the 15th to express their gratitude for her work and offer their deepest sympathies.