Fans Suspect Navi’s Original Voice Actor Has Returned for Ocarina of Time Remake

Fans of The Legend of Zelda are hearing a familiar voice in the latest gameplay previews for the Ocarina of Time remake, and they believe it belongs to the actress who originally voiced the fairy Navi. After weeks of speculation, players comparing the game’s Japanese trailers to the 2001 original have concluded that the voice sounds strikingly like Kaori Mizuhashi, the Japanese voice actress who first brought Navi to life. The discovery has reignited a broader conversation about how the beloved companion is being handled in the long-awaited remake, and whether Nintendo will ever confirm the identity of the voice behind the fairy’s now-iconic “Hey!” and “Listen!”

The renewed interest began a few weeks ago, when a new voice actor took over the role of Navi in English-language gameplay previews for the remake. As I wrote about the inevitable weirdness that comes with hearing a fresh voice breathe life into such an iconic character, many players expressed a longing to hear the original Navi during their own playthroughs. It now appears that longing may be answerable, at least for those willing to switch their audio to Japanese.

A Voice From the Past

Navi was originally voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi, an actress who remains active in both game and anime voice work today. Her recent credits include Eirika in Fire Emblem Engage, as well as the role of Mami Tomoe across numerous Puella Magi Madoka Magica projects spanning anime, film, and games. Given her continued presence in the industry, it makes complete sense that she would be available to reprise her most iconic role after more than two decades have passed.

And if she is indeed behind the remake’s Japanese Navi, she appears to be doing a superb job. Listeners who have compared the two performances have noted that the cadence, pitch, and unmistakable quality of the voice are remarkably consistent with the original, leading many to conclude that they are hearing the same actress rather than a mere impression.

“I’ve asked Nintendo to confirm that this is indeed Mizuhashi here, and also asked who the English voice actor is. Let me be clear: the English actor is doing an incredible job, and I also understand why it wouldn’t make sense for Mizuhashi (or whoever sounds just like her) to do all versions of the game.”

Gamer24h reporter

Why the Two Versions Differ

The remake features considerably more voice acting than the original 2001 release, expanding the world of Hyrule in ways the N61 classic never attempted. This expansion raises practical questions about casting, particularly for a voice actress like Mizuhashi who primarily works within the Japanese industry. Asking her to tackle large volumes of foreign-language dialogue far more complex than the fairy’s signature one-word exclamations would be an unreasonable burden, just as it would be unfair to ask most English actors to suddenly perform lines in Japanese without native fluency.

This context helps explain why the game may employ different voice talent for different regional versions, with Mizuhashi lending her voice to the Japanese release while a separate actor handles the English localization. Nintendo has not yet publicly confirmed the identity of either performer, though the reporter has formally requested clarification from the publisher on both fronts.

Even without official confirmation, the community reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with players expressing enthusiasm at the prospect of hearing the original Navi once more. Some have even indicated they might temporarily switch their game’s audio language to Japanese, if only to experience the remake through the voice they grew up with.

Looking Ahead

As anticipation for the Ocarina of Time remake continues to build, the question of who voices Navi remains one of the most discussed topics among fans. Until Nintendo provides official confirmation, the identification of Mizuhashi will rest on the ears of the community and the unmistakable quality of the performance itself. Regardless of the final answer, the remake’s expanded voice work marks a significant departure from the original, and players will be watching closely as Nintendo reveals more about how it is handling this landmark entry in the Zelda franchise.