A recent update for the popular Naruto Mobile fighting game has provided fans with a bittersweet moment of nostalgia, serving as a final tribute to a legendary figure in the anime industry.
A newly released promotional video for Naruto Mobile shows characters Konan, Asuma Sarutobi and Ten-Ten from the upcoming Divine Steed event celebrating the Chinese New Year. Notably, Konan’s Divine Steed variant delivers a New Year’s greeting voiced by the late Atsuko Tanaka, making it one of the final times fans will hear newly recorded lines from the iconic voice actor following her passing in 2024.
The general consensus is that the presence of her voice in this 2026 update is not the result of employing artificial intelligence, as licensing partners Bandai Namco, Shueisha and Studio Pierrot maintain strict policies prohibiting AI in official productions. These lines were likely recorded as part of a backlog of content intended for future game updates, following her earlier work on the Ronin Konan variant.
Naruto Honors the Legacy of Anime Voice Actor Atsuko Tanaka in New Video Release
The Divine Steed event, which kicks off on Jan. 30, serves as the game’s latest Long Season Battle Pass, officially known as the Ninja Scroll. Replacing the previous Five Kages season, the new update is thematically tied to the Year of the Horse and features exclusive units featuring cavalry design motifs.
The primary reward for the season is the S-Rank Madara Uchiha. Supporting units include the A-Rank characters Konan, Asuma and Ten-Ten, all featuring their original voice actors. Tanaka’s performance as Konan is widely considered a definitive portrayal, and this final appearance in Naruto Mobile honors her decade-long contribution to the series.
Atsuko Tanaka passed away on Aug. 20, 2024, at the age of 61, following a year-long battle with an undisclosed illness. Her son, Hikaru Tanaka, confirmed the news at the time, leading to an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues across the anime industry. Beyond her work in the Naruto universe as Konan, Tanaka’s career was defined by her ability to portray strong, complex women. She was globally recognized as the voice of Motoko Kusanagi in the Ghost in the Shell franchise, including the iconic 1995 film and the Stand Alone Complex series.
Developed by Tencent’s More Fun Studio under license from Bandai Namco, Naruto Mobile — the 2.5D side-scrolling action fighter game — surpassed $2.87 billion in lifetime revenue by 2024. In that year alone, the game generated approximately $568 million, consistently ranking among the top-grossing mobile titles in the region while maintaining a dedicated player base through regular character releases and competitive PvP gameplay. Although the title is exclusively available in mainland China, its high-quality animations and seasonal events frequently capture the attention of international fans.
Originally launched in 2015, the game is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary with an expansive event that officially began on Dec. 5, 2025. These festivities feature significant rewards, including free commemorative versions of Naruto and Sasuke. Meanwhile, a teaser video showcasing the duo in a unique cyberpunk setting, revealed as a part of the anniversary celebrations, also went viral.
Created by
Masashi Kishimoto
First TV Show
Naruto
First Episode Air Date
September 21, 1999
