Misa Amane, the devoted and unpredictable supporter of Light Yagami in Death Note, is voiced by two talented actresses across its original and dubbed versions. In the Japanese version, Misa is voiced by Aya Hirano. In the English dub, the character is voiced by Shannon Chan-Kent.
Below is a complete profile of Aya Hirano, the original Japanese voice behind Misa Amane.
Aya Hirano (Japanese Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
October 8, 1987
About Aya
Aya Hirano is a Japanese voice actress, singer, and actress widely recognized for her impact on anime in the 2000s and beyond. Rising to prominence during the mid-2000s anime boom, she became one of the most recognizable voices in the industry, known for portraying energetic, quirky, and emotionally layered female characters. Beyond voice acting, she has had a successful music career and has appeared in stage productions and television dramas.
Hometown
Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Career Highlights
Aya Hirano’s portrayal of Misa Amane in Death Note showcased her ability to balance charm, obsession, and emotional volatility—qualities central to the character’s identity. Her performance contributed significantly to Misa’s popularity worldwide.
Other major roles include:
- Haruhi Suzumiya in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
- Konata Izumi in Lucky Star
- Lucy Heartfilia in Fairy Tail
- Nana in Nana (supporting role)
- Migi (voice of Shinichi’s hand) in Parasyte -the maxim- (later career role)
Her work in Haruhi Suzumiya in particular made her a defining voice of her generation, earning multiple awards and widespread recognition.
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented voice acting credits from widely available public sources and may not be exhaustive.
Anime Television Series
- 2006 – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (Haruhi Suzumiya)
- 2006–2007 – Death Note (Misa Amane)
- 2007 – Lucky Star (Konata Izumi)
- 2009–2018 – Fairy Tail (Lucy Heartfilia)
- 2014–2015 – Parasyte -the maxim- (Migi)
- 2015 – The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan (Haruhi Suzumiya)
Anime Films
- 2010 – The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (Haruhi Suzumiya)
- Various – Fairy Tail films (Lucy Heartfilia)
Video Games (Selected)
- Fairy Tail game adaptations (Lucy Heartfilia)
- Suzumiya Haruhi series games (Haruhi Suzumiya)
Other Work
- Extensive music career with multiple albums and singles tied to anime roles
- Stage and musical theater performances in Japan
Critical Reception
Aya Hirano has been widely praised for her expressive vocal range and her ability to bring high-energy, eccentric characters to life. Her performance as Haruhi Suzumiya is often cited as one of the most iconic anime voice performances of the 2000s.
- Anime News Network profile and credits: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=50815
- Wikipedia overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aya_Hirano
Critics and fans frequently highlight her versatility—particularly her shift from comedic roles like Konata to darker or more emotionally intense roles like Misa Amane and Migi.
Shannon Chan-Kent (English Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
September 23, 1988
About Shannon
Shannon Chan-Kent is a Canadian voice actress and singer known for her work in anime dubs, Western animation, and video games. She has built a strong reputation in the English dubbing industry for portraying bright, emotional, and youthful characters. In Death Note, her performance as Misa Amane captures the character’s bubbly idol persona while also conveying her obsessive devotion and darker emotional undertones.
Outside of anime, she is also recognized for her work in children’s animation and as a vocalist, contributing to various musical projects.
Hometown
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Career Highlights
Shannon Chan-Kent’s role as Misa Amane is one of her most recognizable anime performances, helping introduce the character to English-speaking audiences with a voice that balances cuteness and intensity.
Other notable roles include:
- Pinkie Pie (singing voice) in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
- Silver Spoon in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
- Chihiro Kosaka in The World God Only Knows
- Kaho Hinata in Blend S
- Young characters and supporting roles across numerous anime dubs
Her versatility allows her to shift between anime dubbing and Western animation seamlessly.
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented voice acting credits from publicly available sources and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (English Dub)
- 2007–2008 – Death Note (Misa Amane)
- 2010s – The World God Only Knows (Chihiro Kosaka)
- 2017 – Blend S (Kaho Hinata)
Western Animation
- 2010–2019 – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (Silver Spoon; Pinkie Pie singing voice)
- Additional roles across various children’s animated series produced in Canada
Video Games (Selected)
- Various supporting and minor roles in English-language game localizations (titles vary by region and release)
Critical Reception
Shannon Chan-Kent’s performance as Misa Amane has been well-received among English dub audiences, particularly for maintaining the character’s high-energy personality without losing emotional depth. Fans often praise her ability to transition between Misa’s cheerful idol façade and her more intense, possessive moments.
- Anime News Network profile: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=26562
- Behind The Voice Actors profile: https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Shannon-Chan-Kent/
Her broader body of work, especially in My Little Pony, has also earned recognition for vocal flexibility and musical performance.
Social Media
Twitter/X: @ShannonChanKent (https://x.com/ShannonChanKent)
Instagram: @shannonchankent (https://www.instagram.com/shannonchankent/)
