Aya Hirano (37), known for her role as Haruhi Suzumiya in the anime The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, announced on August 5 that she has divorced actor Masashi Taniguchi (47). Both parties shared the news on their respective social media accounts. The divorce comes approximately 1 year and 7 months after they got married in January 2024.
Simultaneous Announcements on Social Media
Hirano posted a statement titled “To All My Supportive Fans” on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, writing:
“Masashi Taniguchi and I have submitted divorce papers and officially ended our marriage. We kindly ask for your continued support in our respective careers going forward.”
Taniguchi also made a statement on Instagram the same day, saying:
“As of August 5, 2025, Masashi Taniguchi and Aya Hirano have submitted divorce papers and officially divorced. While we will now go our separate ways, I will continue to devote myself sincerely to my work.”
From Unconventional Wedding to Separation
The couple’s marriage, announced on January 3, 2024, gained attention as a so-called “zero-day relationship marriage,” meaning they wed without dating beforehand.
Hirano is a popular voice actress known for leading roles in numerous anime series, most notably as Haruhi Suzumiya. Taniguchi, on the other hand, started his career as a tokusatsu hero in Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive and appeared in the 2024 NHK historical drama Hikaru Kimi e.
However, reports suggest that the two began living separately as early as April 2024, just three months after their wedding. By September, Bunshun Online had reported issues within the marriage. In response, Hirano posted on X on September 11 that the couple was in the process of negotiating a divorce through their legal representatives.
Divorce Finalized After 11 Months of Negotiation
The divorce discussions lasted approximately 11 months. During this period, tabloid reports surfaced alleging incidents of domestic violence, which both parties denied. The divorce was officially finalized with the submission of documents on August 5, 2025.
Aya Hirano was born on October 8, 1987, in Hyogo Prefecture. She rose to fame in 2006 with The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and has since remained a beloved figure in the voice acting world, recently also expanding her presence on stage.
Masashi Taniguchi, born on November 5, 1977, in Saitama Prefecture, first gained attention for his role as Go Red in Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive in 1999. He has since appeared in many films, TV dramas, and stage productions, earning praise for his theatrical performances.
Both have expressed their intention to focus on their respective careers, and fans have responded with messages of encouragement and support.
