Ayana Taketatsu

Ayana Taketatsu (竹達彩奈, born June 23, 1989) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Saitama, Japan. Active since 2007, she debuted as a voice actress in kiss×sis and rose to wider recognition as Azusa Nakano in K-On!. She later played Kirino Kousaka in Oreimo, Leafa/Suguha Kirigaya in Sword Art Online, and Kotori Itsuka in Date A Live. In 2010, she received the Singing Award at the 4th Seiyu Awards as a member of the K-On! in-series unit 放課後ティータイム. Since her 2012 solo singer debut with the Pony Canyon single "Sinfonia! Sinfonia!!!", Taketatsu has combined seiyuu work with anime music, character songs, and j-pop releases associated with the label. In 2013 she formed petit milady with Aoi Yuuki while continuing her solo career. Her anime-song work includes "Keep" and "keep on runnin'" for Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai, "OH MY Sugar Feeling!! (OH MY シュガーフィーリング!!)" and "Hey! Calorie Queen (Hey! カロリーQueen)" for Dagashi Kashi, and songs for Go-Toubun no Hanayome such as "Gotoubun no Kimochi (五等分の気持ち)" and "Gotoubun no Kiseki (五等分の軌跡)". In 2019 she announced her marriage to voice actor Yuki Kaji, and in 2022 she announced the birth of their first child. In 2026, she released a cover-song EP featuring new recordings of "Yusha," "Hikari," and "Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara," including a cover of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End opening theme "Yusha."