Those of us who are at least a little acquainted with anime or are certified weebs might have possibly come across the names of voice actors like Junko Takeuchi (Naruto Uzumaki) or Hiroshi Kamiya (Levi). But were you aware that these Japanese stars have voiced some of your favourite anime characters? Here are the top 10 actors who have voice acted for anime characters (in no particular order)
1. Shun Oguri
We all know him from Gintama2: Rules Are Made To Be Broken. But did you know that he is the voice behind the character of Alfons “Alphonse” Heidrich from the movie Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa and Keisuke Suga from Tenki No Ko (Weathering with You)?
2. Takuya Kimura
Award-winning actor Takuya Kimura isn’t just famous for being a member of the Japanese idol group SMAP, but he is also the voice behind the famous character Howl from the all-time favourite Studio Ghibli film, Howl’s Moving Castle. The film went on to receive the award for Animation of the Year at the Tokyo International Anime Fair in 2005.
3. Hiroshi Abe
The voice behind the famous character of Kenshirou ‘Ken’ from the anime movie series Hokuto No Ken Zero: Kenshirou Den (Fist of the North Star: Legend of Kenshiro) is none other than very talented six times winner of the Television Drama Academy Award for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor Hiroshi Abe.
4. Ryunosuke Kamiki
Child actor RyunosukeKamiki has been in the Japanese movie industry since the tender age of 2. Now 28, the actor has voiced the characters from some of the top-grossing movies in Japan, which includes Taki Tachibana both from the film Kimi No Nawa (Your Name) and Tenki No Ko (Weathering with You) and the not so tiny baby Boh from the movie Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away).
5. Shota Sometani
Popularly known for his role in the 2014 Japanese film Parasyte, Shouta Sometani is the voice behind the character Ren ‘Kyutta’ from the popular anime Bakemono no Ko (The Boy and the Beast) and Tanabe from OokamiKodomo to Ame to Yuki (Wolf Children).
6. KenjiroTsuda
Actor TsudaKenjiro is equally famous for his acting as much he is famous for voice acting. He is the voice behind Fango from the popular anime 91 Days, Kai ‘Overhaul’ Chisaki from My Hero Academia, EizenFukuhara in Detective Conan, and the JokerfromEnen no Shouboutai (Fire Force).
7. Taishi Nakagawa
Debuting as a child actor in 2009, Taishi Nakagawa is famous for his role in Closest Love to Heaven as Yuiji Kira. He voiced the character Tsuneo Tsuzukawa in the popular young adult romantic film of 2020, Josee to Tora to Sakana-Tachi (Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish).
8. Ken Yasuda
A passionate actor, who, against all odds, chose acting as his career and starred in the recent 2021 film Kiyoshiko, has voice acted on several occasions in the past. He is the voice behind Machida in the 2002 Studio Ghibli film Neko no Ongeshi (The Cat Returns), Toichi in When Marnie Was There, and also as Oshira-Sama in Spirited Away.
9. Takahashi Issei
Popular due to his role in the American martial arts film series Kill Bill (Volume 1 & 2), Takahashi Issei is also popular for his voice acting in the 1995 Studio Ghibli movie Mimi Wo Sumaseba (Whisper of the Heart) as the leading character of Seiji Awasama.
10. Tomoya Nagase
Multi-talented singer and actor Tomoya Nagase has been a part of more than 40 dramas. Apart from a single under his belt in collaboration with the American band 3T, the actor has also voiced the character of Nanashiin in the 2007 film Nanashi: MokouHadan (Sword of the Stranger). The film went on to win the Best Animated Feature at Brazil's International Fantastic Film Festival and was among the 14 finalists for the Oscars for Best Animated Feature Film category.
