Natsumi Yanase is a Japanese voice actress born on May 10, 1971, in Tokyo, Japan. She is a graduate of the Aoni Juku training school, having completed both the Sunday Course 11th term and the Honka Course 13th term. Throughout her career, she has been affiliated with several major talent agencies, including Aoni Production and 81 Produce, before becoming a freelance voice actress in August 2005. She is also known by the alias Maki Izumi for work in adult games and animations.

Yanase's career spans a wide range of roles in television anime, original video animations, and video games. She is well-recognized for her portrayal of Komari Kamikita in the popular visual novel and anime series Little Busters! and its related works, including the Kaginado crossover series and the Kud Wafter anime. Another significant role is Chihiro Shindō in the ef: a tale of memories. and ef: a tale of melodies. television series, as well as the original visual novel ef - a fairy tale of the two. She also voiced Chizuru Tachibana in The Fruit of Grisaia anime and its sequels.

Her other notable anime roles include Chiaki in Only You Viva! Cabaret Club, Yuki Morino in Hanaukyo Maid-tai, Konami Hatano in the _summer OVA, Kana Orikura in First Kiss Story, Yoko Ryuuzaki in Debutante Detective Corps, and Tomoe in the OVA Ménage à Twins. She has also contributed to long-running series, with minor roles in shows like Ghost Sweeper Mikami, Marmalade Boy, and Case Closed.

In addition to her anime work, Yanase has an extensive portfolio in video games. Beyond reprising roles like Komari Kamikita and Chizuru Tachibana, she has voiced characters in major game franchises. These include Norn, Fee, and Nell Ellis in the Atelier Iris series, Nanami and Lemia in Valkyrie Profile, Fia in Riviera: The Promised Land, and Akane Hanasaki in D.C. II: Da Capo II. Her work also extends to drama CDs and theme song performances for several series, including ef: a tale of memories. and Lamune.