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| Japanese Actor Taniguchi Masashi Announces Divorce from Voice Star Hirano Aya After One-Year Marriage (Twitter) |
It’s official — after just over a year of marriage, actor Taniguchi Masashi (47) and voice actress Hirano Aya (37) have confirmed they’ve gone their separate ways. Both stars shared a joint statement on 5 August 2025, announcing that their divorce paperwork has been filed.
The couple first captured attention in early 2024 when they revealed their surprise marriage on 3 January — a romance many fans dubbed the “Chainsaw Man Wedding” after they famously co-starred in the 2023 stage production of Chainsaw Man, with Hirano playing the chillingly iconic Makima, and Taniguchi portraying the stoic Kishibe.
In her handwritten message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Hirano Aya addressed her fans directly:
“To all the fans who’ve always supported us, I’d like to let you know that Taniguchi Masashi and I have submitted our divorce papers. Going forward, we’ll continue pursuing our individual paths, and I hope you’ll keep supporting our work as always.”
— 平野綾 -Aya Hirano- (@Hysteric_Barbie) August 5, 2025
Taniguchi Masashi echoed the sentiment in his own Instagram statement, thanking fans for their understanding:
“We’ve officially filed for divorce as of 5 August 2025. To everyone who may have been affected or concerned by earlier reports or developments — we hope this announcement brings some closure. From now on, we’ll each walk our own road, focusing sincerely on our work. Thank you in advance for your continued support.”
— 谷口賢志 - Masashi Taniguchi (@tgms_twinews) August 5, 2025
A Marriage That Drew Headlines… and Speculation
Their whirlwind romance turned heads from the start, especially among anime and tokusatsu fans. But cracks began to show just nine months later. Last September, Hirano Aya revealed via her X account that discussions for a divorce were already underway through legal channels, confirming rumours that had been circulating in the entertainment press.
While neither party elaborated further on the reasons behind the split, the tone of their respective statements remained respectful and professional, with a clear wish to move on amicably.
Hirano Aya rose to stardom in the mid-2000s as the voice of Suzumiya Haruhi in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Izumi Konata in Lucky Star. She’s since transitioned into stage acting, balancing her voice work with regular appearances in theatre productions across Japan.
Taniguchi Masashi, a staple in the tokusatsu scene, made his debut in Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive as Go Blue, and later impressed fans with darker roles in the Kamen Rider and Ultraman series — including Kamen Rider Amazon Alpha and Ultraman Decker. Beyond his TV work, he’s known for his intense stage presence and loyal fan following.
Both stars made it clear they’ll be focusing on their respective careers going forward. Taniguchi is expected to return to stage acting later this year, while Hirano continues to split her time between theatre and voiceover work.
For fans, it may be a bittersweet end to a drama-tinged romance — but at least one that ended with mutual respect.