Kanon Tani is a Japanese actress and former child star, known for her wide-ranging appearances in TV dramas, movies, stage plays, and commercials. Hailing from Saitama Prefecture, she became a household name early in her career thanks to her adorable presence and emotional acting skills. Her resume is packed with leading and supporting roles, voice work in hit anime films, and impressive forays onto the stage and into music. Over the years, Tani has transitioned gracefully from child prodigy to talented young adult, pursuing higher education and embracing new challenges both on and off the screen.
Kanon Tani was born on May 4, 2004, in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and is the eldest of two sisters.
She is currently represented by AT Production, having started with the notable child talent agency Theatrical Academy early in her life.
From a young age, Tani displayed talents beyond acting, including proficiency in English and the art of flower arranging.
Her journey in the entertainment industry began at just five years old.
Early Stardom
Tani's big break came in 2011 with her roles as Rara Shindo in the drama "Namae wo Nakushita Megami" and as Hinata Sakuragawa in "Zenkai Girl."
Her performances drew national attention, especially as she simultaneously became the face of NEC's tech commercials.
From 2012, she co-hosted the children’s show "be-Ponkickies" with fellow child star Fuku Suzuki, establishing herself as a beloved figure among young viewers.
Ventures in Music and Voice Acting
Teaming up with close friend Seiran Kobayashi, Tani formed the unit "Star Flower" and debuted as a singer in 2012 with a cover of "Toshishita no Otoko no Ko," followed by more singles, marking her presence in the music scene.
She later released the single "Neko Nyan Nyan Nyan Inu Wan Wan Wan Kaeru mo Ahiru mo Gā Gā Gā" as part of the duo “Fuku to Kanon," riding the wave of her TV show popularity.
As a voice actress, Tani is best known for voicing Yotsuba Miyamizu in Makoto Shinkai’s international hit "Your Name," reprised in "Weathering With You," as well as leading in "Lu over the Wall."
Dramatic Expansion
Tani has starred and appeared in numerous TV dramas, such as "Papa Doru!," "Miotsukushi Ryouri Chou," "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day" (live-action), and "Guard Center 24."
She broadened her horizons into cinema with roles in "Journey to Tokyo" (2013) and "Mix" (2017).
Her stage debut came in 2014 in "Paco and the Magical Picture Book," where she played the lead, followed by performances in recent years including "Yōkoso, Minato Sensei" and "Unari - Soon Dancing Two".
International Experience
In 2021, Tani took a brief hiatus to pursue language studies at a high school in the United States, showcasing her commitment to personal development and cross-cultural experience.
In 2023, she enrolled in university, and in 2024, she began attending a night vocational school while continuing her acting career.
Wide-ranging Appearances
Her extensive career includes regular magazine modeling, numerous commercials for major brands (Panasonic, Coca-Cola, NEC, Calbee, Lotte), and advertising campaigns for companies like KidZania and Lotte.
She also contributed her voice to game roles, such as Victoria F. Stein in "Bravely Default."
While specific award titles are not listed, Tani holds the distinction of being the youngest main host for "be-Ponkickies."
She has maintained a continuous presence in major Japanese media throughout her childhood and adolescence, a feat few others have achieved.
Tani enjoys strong friendships with fellow former child stars, notably Fuku Suzuki, who affectionately calls her "Non-chan," and Seiran Kobayashi, her music partner and long-time friend from the same agency.
Balancing her career and education, Tani commutes from her home in Saitama to filming locations by train.
She is known for her remarkable ability to memorize lines rapidly; her nightly practice with her mother has become a cute family tradition.
Tani's emotional range as an actress is attributed to her vivid imagination, saying she can cry almost instantly by picturing sad scenarios.
Her post-child-actor journey has included overseas study, university admission, and a double-schooling schedule with evening vocational classes.
- Tani’s special skills include English and flower arrangement (Ikebana).
- She was the first child to serve as a main program host for "be-Ponkickies."
- Her emotional acting, especially her crying scenes, attracted media notice when she was young.
- She has performed voice acting in award-winning anime, proving her talent extends far beyond on-screen roles.
For a complete list of her music releases, see the discographies of "Star Flower" and "Fuku to Kanon." She has also published a book "Kanon's Book: 51 Ways to Become a Wonderful Girl."
Tani remains active on her agency's official website, blog, and Instagram, connecting constantly with her fans.
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