Akemi Okamura joins Detective Conan

Akemi Okamura has been named as the continuing voice of Ran Mouri in *Detective Conan* after longtime cast member Wakana Yamazaki died, according to notices published on May 15 by the series’ official channels and reports citing the production staff. Yamazaki died on April 18 at age 61, her agency Aoni Production announced on May 15. The casting change closes one of the central questions left by the death of an actress who had voiced Ran since the television anime began in 1996. Fan reaction spread across X over the weekend, with many posts pointing to Okamura’s long career and her connection to Yamazaki through the broader anime voice-acting world. ### When was the casting change made public? May 15 is the key date in the public record. The official *Detective Conan* page operated by Yomiuri TV carried a notice that day about Yamazaki’s death, and outside reports citing the franchise’s statement said Okamura had taken over the role temporarily and would continue as Ran going forward. Aoni Production announced on May 15 that Yamazaki had died on April 18 after receiving medical treatment for an illness. (crunchyroll.com) The agency did not give a cause of death in the material summarized by multiple reports. ### Why is Ran Mouri such a significant role? Ran Mouri has been one of the core characters of *Detective Conan* since the anime’s 1996 debut. (ytv.co.jp) Yamazaki voiced the character for about 30 years, according to Yomiuri Shimbun and other reports that summarized the official statements. Gosho Aoyama, the manga’s creator, said on the anime’s official site that he was saddened at the thought he would no longer hear Yamazaki’s “gentle” voice, according to reports that quoted the tribute. (crunchyroll.com) That comment underscored how closely her performance was tied to the franchise’s long run. ### Who is Akemi Okamura in anime terms? Akemi Okamura is a veteran voice actress best known internationally as Nami in *One Piece*. (japannews.yomiuri.co.jp) Reports on Yamazaki’s death noted an additional link between the two performers: Yamazaki had voiced Nojiko in *One Piece* and had also temporarily filled in as Nami during episodes 70 to 78 while Okamura was on maternity leave. (us.oricon-group.com) That history gave fans an immediate frame of reference when Okamura’s name surfaced in connection with Ran. Posts on X highlighted her past roles and her long tenure in anime, though those reactions did not amount to an official statement from the production. ### What do the official notices say about Yamazaki’s death? (dexerto.com) Aoni Production said Yamazaki had been undergoing treatment for an illness before her death on April 18. The funeral and wake were held for family and close associates, according to reports summarizing the agency notice. The *Detective Conan* staff said they were deeply saddened by the loss of the actress who had played Ran for nearly three decades, according to reports citing the memorial message. (dexerto.com) Yomiuri TV’s official series page also carried the dated notice on May 15. ### How did the series acknowledge Yamazaki on air? May 16 brought the first on-air tribute after the announcement. (crunchyroll.com) Mantan Web reported that a digitally remastered episode, “Trick vs. Magic (Part 1),” aired at 6 p.m. as a memorial broadcast, with a caption at the start announcing Yamazaki’s passing. That broadcast placed the casting transition in the middle of an active television run rather than between seasons. (us.oricon-group.com) The official Yomiuri TV page says *Detective Conan* airs Saturdays at 6 p.m. on the Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV network. ### What happens next for Detective Conan viewers? The next concrete step is on television. Yomiuri TV’s official *Detective Conan* page continues to list the series in its regular Saturday 6 p.m. slot, where viewers will be able to track Okamura’s continuation in the role of Ran Mouri. (en.mantan-web.jp) (ytv.co.jp)