Beloved Voice Actress Azumi Waki Scales Back Work for Daughter's Urgent Heart Transplant

In a poignant announcement that has resonated deeply across the global anime community, renowned voice actress Azumi Waki has revealed she will significantly scale back her professional commitments. This difficult decision comes as she dedicates her time to her daughter, who is currently awaiting a vital heart transplant after being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a severe heart muscle condition.

The news, officially released on July 16, 2025, by her talent agency Haikyo, immediately triggered an outpouring of solidarity from her fanbase and industry colleagues. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a critical ailment where the heart's left ventricle becomes enlarged and weakened, severely impeding its ability to pump blood. Waki's daughter previously experienced acute heart failure symptoms, leading to urgent hospitalization and crucial life-saving medical intervention. Thanks to her dedicated medical team, her condition has now stabilized with an artificial heart, as she awaits the life-changing transplant.

Waki conveyed profound gratitude for the exceptional medical care and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering fan support. While acknowledging the inevitable reduction in her workload, she offered a sincere apology. Her primary focus, she affirmed, will be to remain steadfastly by her daughter's side throughout treatment and recovery, holding onto the hopeful prospect of eventually resuming her full array of iconic roles. Her family has also rallied, providing essential support to allow Waki to concentrate entirely on her daughter's health during this trying time.

Azumi Waki's Illustrious Career

A beloved figure in the anime landscape, Azumi Waki has captivated audiences with unforgettable performances. Her illustrious career boasts prominent roles such as Hinata Tachibana in Tokyo Revengers, Kanne in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Anne Shelley in My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, and Special Week in Uma Musume Pretty Derby.

She has also lent her distinctive voice to characters like Galko in Please tell me! Galko-chan, Rei Saiga in Shangri-La Frontier, Hatsuka Suzushiro in Call of the Night, Futaba Takemoto in Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction, Kanon Hisui in Go, Go, Loser Ranger!, Tōko Kazama in Muv-Luv Alternative, and Nagisa Minase in Girlfriend, Girlfriend. Her remarkable versatility and emotional depth have cemented her status as a sought-after talent, and her temporary absence will undoubtedly be felt across numerous ongoing and forthcoming productions.

The anime community has unequivocally united in support of Waki, with fans and industry peers flooding social media with heartfelt messages of encouragement. This poignant situation not only underscores personal trials within entertainment but also highlights the resilience and compassion within global anime fandom. As Azumi Waki navigates this difficult chapter, a collective hope resonates that her daughter will swiftly receive the critical transplant she requires, enabling Waki to eventually return to the microphone, gracing future roles with her signature warmth and talent. Until then, the industry and legions of fans stand united in support of Azumi Waki and her courageous family.