Wakana Okuma

Wakana Okuma
大熊 和奏
Born (2001-04-13) April 13, 2001
Saitama Prefecture, Japan
Occupations
Years active2021–present
AgentKen Production
Notable workLove Live! Superstar!! as Shiki Wakana
Height156 cm (5 ft 1 in)
Musical career
Also known asSpileben
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2022–present

Wakana Okuma (大熊 和奏, Ōkuma Wakana, born April 13, 2001[1]) is a Japanese voice actress and singer currently affiliated with Ken Production.[2] She is best-known for her role as Shiki Wakana, member of fictional idol group Liella! in the Love Live! Superstar!! media franchise. In late 2024, she launched her solo music project under the name Spileben.[3]

Biogragrphy

Early life

Born in Saitama Prefecture,[2] Okuma developed an early interest in performance arts, beginning jazz dance at the age of five. Influenced by her teacher’s love for the J-pop group Arashi, she performed creative dances to their music. After a brief hiatus following her teacher’s departure during her elementary school years, Okuma resumed dancing in middle school, exploring modern and contemporary dance styles.[4]

Her passion for voice acting began in elementary school after watching Hunter × Hunter, where she was inspired by female voice actresses portraying dynamic characters like Gon and Killua. Determined to pursue voice acting, Okuma enrolled in a public high school specializing in performing arts, a decision guided by her mother’s advice to build a strong foundation in stagecraft before entering a voice acting agency.[4] During this period, she studied classical ballet, stage production, sound engineering, and lighting, gaining a comprehensive understanding of theater. After graduating high school, Okuma auditioned for voice acting agencies and joined her current agency, solidifying her path in the industry. Her fascination with voice acting stemmed from its ability to bring characters to life through voice alone, without relying on physical appearance. She also expressed admiration for the craft’s professionalism and the thrill of seeing her name in the credits.[4]

Career

Okuma debuted as a voice actress in 2021, with a minor role in the Japanese dub of Marvel film Eternals.[5] In 2022, she was announced as the voice of Wakana Shiki, second generation member of the fictional idol group Liella! from the anime Love Live! Superstar!!.[6] As a member of Liella!'s second generation, Okuma quickly gained popularity among fans.[4]

On August 30, 2024, Okuma announced her solo music project, Spileben, with its name representing both her artistic vision and the collaborative efforts of her team.[4] Okuma and her team wanted the project to showcase a bold, confident persona, distinct from her earlier "cute and wholesome" image in Love Live!. Her debut EP as Spileben, titled Joshō (序章; lit. 'Prologue'), was released digitally on October 30, 2024, and physically on November 2.[4]

In 2025, she became part of the Love Live! special group AiScReam, whose song "Ai Scream!" became a viral hit on social media worldwide.[7]

Discography

Extended plays

List of extended plays released as lead artist[a]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
JPN
Digital
[8]
Joshō[9]
  • Released: October 30, 2024
  • Label: StarRise/Fearless Music
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 46[10]

Singles

List of singles released as lead artist[a]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
JPN
[8]
"Deadline"[11][12] 2025 — TBA
"Everything Anything"[13] —
"Still's the Time"[14] 2026 —
"It's Your Day"[15] —

Filmography

Anime

Video games

Notes

  1. 1 2 As Spileben.

References

  1. ↑ Maiden Vol.6 TV Guide Voice Stars Special Edition, Tokyo News Service, published April 2, 2025, page 77, ISBN 978-4-86701-984-9
  2. 1 2 "Wakana Okuma Official Profile Page" (in Japanese). Ken Production. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  3. ↑ KENPROCK Festival 2024にて、大熊和奏がSpilebenとしてデビュー決定！さらに追加アーティストも決定！. LisAni! (in Japanese). Sony Music Solutions Inc. September 2, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 ソロプロジェクト「Spileben」とは？ 表現に明け暮れた高校時代から自撮りが苦手な素顔まで！／声優・大熊和奏さんインタビュー. Buzztok News (in Japanese). January 8, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  5. ↑ エターナルズ [Eternals]. Fukikae Kingdom (in Japanese). Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  6. ↑ Liella! 2期生キャスト4名が決定！. Love Live! Superstar!! Official Website (in Japanese). Lantis. May 12, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  7. ↑ ＜コラム＞TikTok時代のバズる条件とは――「ループ×可愛い×シュール」をキーワードに紐解く. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Penske Media Corporation. April 11, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Wakana Okuma ranking information" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ "序章 - EP by Spileben". Spotify. October 30, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Oricon Digital Albums Ranking: 2024-11-11". Oricon. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  11. ↑ "大熊和奏ソロプロジェクト"Spileben" 初のオフィシャルファンクラブ「ShakeRZ」(ヨミ：シェイカーズ)が開設！！". PR Times (in Japanese). August 27, 2025. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Spileben、「DEADLINE」を配信開始". The Magazine (in Japanese). TuneCore. September 26, 2025. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Spileben、「Everything Anything」を配信開始". The Magazine (in Japanese). TuneCore. December 12, 2025. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Spileben、「Still's the time」を配信開始". The Magazine (in Japanese). TuneCore. March 20, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Spileben、「It's Your Day」を配信開始". The Magazine (in Japanese). TuneCore. April 13, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
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