As the worst wave of COVID-19 yet hits Japan, the country is seeing more affected citizens than ever. Kanon Shizaki, the voice actress for Rinko Shirokane from the BanG Dream! franchise is the latest victim of the virus.
The anime industry has already taken enough blows due to the ongoing pandemic.
Although it has resumed releasing anime again, it is bound to get another setback due to the recent state of emergency, which was declared by their prime minister, Yoshihide Suga.
The official website of the BanG Dream project announced that Kanon Shizaki has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be making an appearance in the “Raukure!” & “Asuhamo!” event.
The “Raukure!” & “Asuhamo!” event will be held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on 11th January with no live audience. The event is divided into two parts, and bands from the BanG franchise will be performing in each.
Kanon Shizaki had replaced Satomi Akesaka in the role of Rinko Shirakane, who is the keyboardist of the Roselia band. She also voices Rei Togetsu in D4DJ First Mix.
The BanG website further clarified that although Shizaki has a normal body temperature and no symptoms, she is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Shizaki had come in close contact with a person who had tested COVID-19 positive. She was already going to appear on the show “remotely,” but even that is not possible after her results came out.
Megu Sakuragawa and Haruka Kudou are also suspected of having contracted the virus and will be remotely appearing in the event.
Megu Sakuragawa voices Ako Udagawa, Rosalia’s drummer. Haruka Kudou is the voice actress of Sayo Hikawa, the guitarist of Roselia.
It has been discovered that both of them might be at the risk of contracting the virus even though they have no health problems yet.
About BanG Dream!
BanG Dream! is a mix-media music franchise produced by Bushiroad in 2015.
It first started as a manga and then adapted into an anime before forming bands to perform in concerts and creating mobile games.
The main cast of the BanG Dream! comprises seven bands of five members each.
The protagonist of the series is the band Poppin Party, which debuted in 2015, followed by debuts of Afterglow, Pastel＊Palettes, Roselia, Hello, Happy World!, Raise A Suilen, and Morfonica.
The members of the bands are the voice actors to the characters and hold concerts.
Source: Official Website of BanG Dream
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