Japanese actress and singer known for her iconic roles in anime and video game adaptations, as well as her powerful vocals in musical theater productions.
Sayaka Kanda was a Japanese actress, singer, and voice actress, known for her mesmerizing performances on stage and screen, as well as her iconic dubbing roles in Disney's Frozen and more. Born on October 1, 1986, Kanda was the only child of actor Masaki Kanda and pop singer Seiko Matsuda, making her a third-generation actress in her family.
Kanda was born at Tokyo Teishin Hospital in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and grew up in a family of artists. Her paternal grandmother, Teruko Asahi, was a former actress. Kanda's early exposure to the entertainment industry sparked her passion for performing arts. While studying at a Japanese school in Los Angeles, she made her debut in the short film Bean Cake, which won the Palme d'Or du court métrage at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.
Kanda's career as an actress flourished in the following years, with notable roles in films, television, and theater. She made her debut as a voice actress in the TV animation Good Luck Girl in 2012, which led to her iconic role as Mary in The Muppets and Anna in the Japanese language dub of Frozen. Her exceptional voice acting skills earned her the Best Lead Actress award at the 9th Seiyu Awards.
In 2014, Kanda formed the music duo Trustrick with guitarist Billy, releasing their debut album Eternity in June of the same year. Although the duo disbanded in 2016, Kanda continued to share her love for music through covers of Vocaloid songs on her YouTube channel. She was also a special guest at the Alan Symphony Concert in 2014, performing alongside Tibetan-Chinese diva Alan Dawa Dolma.
Kanda married actor Mitsu Murata in 2017, but the couple divorced in 2019. At the time of her passing, Kanda was in a relationship with actor Takahisa Maeyama, whom she met while costarring in a stage play.
Sayaka Kanda's life was cut short on December 18, 2021, but her legacy lives on through her incredible body of work. She inspired countless fans with her talent, dedication, and passion for the arts. Kanda's contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry will be remembered for generations to come.
Sayaka Kanda's impact on the entertainment industry will continue to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide.
39 Years Old
Japanese voice actress and singer known for her iconic anime roles, such as Haruhi Suzumiya, and catchy J-pop songs.
46 Years Old
A talented Japanese singer-songwriter and voice actress, known for her powerful vocals and iconic anime roles, particularly in the magical girl genre.
