Sayaka Kanda (神田 沙也加, Kanda Sayaka; 1 October 1990 – 18 December 2021) was a Japanese actress and singer. She was the eldest daughter of actor Masaki Kanda and pop singer Seiko Matsuda.
Early Life and Education
Kanda was born in Tokyo, Japan. She began studying performing arts during her childhood, attending reputable acting and vocal training programs while also pursuing standard education.
Music Career
Kanda debuted as a vocalist with the J‑pop group Morning Musume’s sub‑unit M.M.P. (1999) and later pursued a solo career. Notable releases include the single “Koi wa Groovy” (2005) and the album smile (2015). She performed theme songs for anime series, most prominently “Ryūsei no Kizuna” for Kazoku no Uta (2018).
Acting Career
Kanda’s acting work spanned film, television, and stage. Early roles included the TV drama Kamen Rider Den-O (2007). She was widely recognized for portraying the titular character in the Japanese stage production of The Lion King (2011–2013) and later as Asha in Aladdin (2019). Her film appearances included Midsummer's Equation (2013) and The Liar and His Lover (2013).
Voice Acting
Kanda contributed voice work to several anime and video games. She is perhaps best known for voicing the character Luna in the animated film The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013), and for providing the Japanese dub of Sonic the Hedgehog (2021) as the character Amy Rose.
Personal Life
Kanda married actor Takuma Fuse in 2020; the couple announced they were expecting a child in early 2021, although the pregnancy was later reported as a miscarriage.
Death
On 18 December 2021, Kanda died at the age of 31 in an apparent traffic accident in Tokyo while traveling with her mother, Seiko Matsuda, who sustained serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries. The incident was investigated by Japanese authorities, and the cause was reported as a collision with a bus.
Legacy
Kanda is remembered for her contributions to contemporary Japanese pop culture, bridging music, theater, and voice acting. Her performances continue to be celebrated by fans and industry peers, and posthumous tributes have highlighted her artistic versatility and familial artistic lineage.
