Tokyo, Japan – Renowned voice actors Chinatsu Akasaki, Kent Itō, and Reiō Tsuchida are set to launch a new manga series titled Seiyū Tantei Akita Shoko (Voice Actress Detective Shoko Akita), with its serialization beginning in the January 2026 issue of Akita Shoten’s Bessatsu Shōnen Champion magazine, hitting shelves on December 12. The trio will be credited for the original story, while Kaito Takahashi will handle the artwork.
The announcement was made in the October issue of Bessatsu Shōnen Champion magazine, exciting fans of both the voice acting industry and manga. The project stems from the voice actors’ involvement as hosts of Akita Shoten’s “Shūkan Akita Shoten Radio Henshūbu” (Weekly Akita Shoten Radio Editorial Department) radio show, which debuted in April 2020.
Unveiling Seiyū Tantei Akita Shoko
The forthcoming manga, Seiyū Tantei Akita Shoko, will introduce readers to its titular character, a rookie voice actress named Shoko Akita. While diligently striving to become a top voice actress in her field, Shoko harbors a secret identity: she also operates as a detective. The character’s name itself, “Shoko Akita,” cleverly references the publisher, Akita Shoten.
The Creative Minds Behind the Story
Chinatsu Akasaki, Kent Itō, and Reiō Tsuchida, all prominent figures in the Japanese voice acting scene, are collaborating to craft the narrative of this unique detective story. Akasaki is known for roles such as Shinka Nibutani in Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions and Alice Nakiri in Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma. Itō’s notable roles include Hirotaka Nifuji in Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku and Doppo Kannonzaka in Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle. Tsuchida has voiced characters like Tsukasa Ryūzaki in Dr. Stone and Kazuma Asatsuki in A Certain Scientific Railgun T. Their collective experience within the entertainment industry, particularly in voice acting, is expected to bring an authentic and engaging perspective to the manga’s premise.
The visual storytelling will be brought to life by manga artist Kaito Takahashi, whose style will complement the intriguing storyline developed by the voice acting trio.
From Radio Show to Manga Pages
The genesis of Seiyū Tantei Akita Shoko can be traced back to the “Shūkan Akita Shoten Radio Henshūbu” program. As hosts, Akasaki, Itō, and Tsuchida have been actively involved in promoting Akita Shoten’s manga works to their listeners. This new manga marks a significant expansion of their creative contributions, moving from discussing existing titles to actively developing their own original story within the publisher’s lineup. This transition highlights a growing trend of collaborative projects between different facets of the entertainment industry in Japan.
Fans can anticipate a blend of behind-the-scenes insights into the voice acting world, combined with compelling mystery elements, as Seiyū Tantei Akita Shoko embarks on its serialization later this year. The first chapter will be available on December 12, with the release of the Bessatsu Shōnen Champion January 2026 issue.
