100 Seiyuu Everybody Should Know: 30-21
So here we are, almost winding down the list. I hope people are still paying attention by this point…
All About Furukawa: The youngest of 15 children, Furukawa graduated from Nihon University’s Arts Department and made his seiyuu debut in 1975’s Yuusha Reideen. Having taken tate (swordfighting) classes before, Furukawa has also ‘appeared’ in tokusatsu shows as ‘the guy inside the monster suit’.
Best known roles: Maboroshi Ataru in Urusei Yatsura, Piccolo in Dragon Ball series, Portgas D. Ace in ONE PIECE, Shinohara Azuma in Mobile Police Patlabor, Yamamura Misao in Detective Conan, Kai Shiden in Mobile Suit Gundam, Shin in Hokuto no Ken, Enjoji Daisaku in Albegas
What else you should know: A rarity amongst seiyuu, Furukawa is a Christian and also teetotal, although the latter is due to the fact he cannot hold his drink. He is married to fellow seiyuu Kakinuma Shino and they have a Shih Tzu called Ataru, named after his Urusei Yatsura character.
Currently heard in: Dragon Ball Kai (Piccolo), ONE PIECE (Portgas)
More on Ohtsuka: Started voice acting after encouragement from his father, the veteran seiyuu Ohtsuka Chikao, debuting in Armor Hunter Mellowlink. Signed to Mausu Promotion, Ohtsuka’s credits stretch across games and dubbing – he regularly provides dubs for the likes of Antonio Banderas, Steven Seagal and Nicolas Cage. He seems to have gained a reputation for voicing the ‘big guy’ with the ‘deep voice’, for example his two signature roles Batou and Solid Snake.
Best known roles: Batou in Ghost in the Shell series, Black Jack in Black Jack series, Solid Snake in Metal Gear series, Kyoraku Shunsui in BLEACH, Captain Nemo in Fushigi no Umi no Nadia, Gwendal von Voltaire in Kyo Kara Maoh! series, Xehanort in Kingdom Hearts series
Currently heard in: BLEACH (Shunsui), Durarara!! (Kishitani Shingen), Baka to Test to Shokanju (Narrator, Nishimura Soichi)
All About Nakata: Nakata was a moderately succesful actor in the 80s, mainly appearing in tokusatsu shows before moving into voice-acting at the start of the 90s on the recommendation of veteran seiyuu Nomura Michiko. His distinctive, deep voice lends itself well to villains and narrations and that’s what you’ll find him doing in many an anime today, though of course he can do taxi drivers and okama perfectly fine too.
Best known roles: Alucard in Hellsing, Folken in Escaflowne, Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo in Gankutsuou, Giroro in Keroro Gunsou, Kotomine Kirei in Fate/stay Night, Deithard Reid in Code Geass, Araya Souren in Kara no Kyokai movies
Currently heard in: Keroro Gunsou (Giroro), Dance in the Vampire Bund (Wolfgang)
Beginnings: Born and bred in Kaizuka, Osaka as the daughter of hardware store owners, Aya developed an interest in voice acting from a young age and started taking distance learning lessons in senior high. After graduating high school she moved to Tokyo and entered Aoni Production’s training school, making her seiyuu debut in 1989 with Kiteretsu Daihyakka.
Signature line: Honana!
Voicework: Well-known for her portrayal of characters with Kansai accents. The joke goes that during the recording for Azumanga Daioh (where Aya voices Nyamo-sensei), there was a scene between her character and Matsuoka Yuki’s Kasuga Ayumu aka Osaka where she inadvertently switched to Kansai-ben without noticing, despite the fact that Nyamo-sensei was supposed to speak normally.
Best known roles: Mizuno Ami/Sailor Mercury in Sailor Moon series, Skuld in Ah! My Goddess series, Cerberus/Kero in Cardcaptor Sakura, Sohma Yuki in Fruits Basket, Kaoru Miki in Shojo Kakumei Utena, Chloe in Noir, Natsume Maya in Tenjo Tenge
All about Houko: Graduated high school a year later than everyone else after being held back in 2nd year not having recorded enough days of attendance (acc. to wiki). Upon graduation, she moved straight from her hometown of Isawa in Iwate prefecture to pursue a voice acting career, her first anime appearance coming in 1995’s Sailormoon SS before making a breakthrough with the lead role in Nadesico.
Work: Incredibly versatile with no real character pigeon-holing to her name, able to voice all sorts of roles crossing the genders and ages. Houko was groomed to be a ’seiyuu idol’ during the earlier part of her career despite an initial reluctance to sing and perform, but has since ‘retired’ from the scene – her fanclub closed down in 2005.
Best known roles: Misumaru Yurika in Martian Successor Nadesico, Sango in Inu Yasha, Yuumura Kirika in Noir, Shurei Ko in Saiunkoku Monogatari, Fllay Alster in Gundam Seed, Stella Loussier in Gundam Seed Destiny, Clare in Claymore, Sakagami Tomoyo in CLANNAD
Currently heard in: Keroro Gunsou (Hinata Fuyuki)*, BLEACH (Soifon)*, Inu Yasha Kenksetsu-hen (Sango), Kobato. (Mihara Chitose), Element Hunters (Homi Nandie)
*temporary replacement for Kawakami Tomoko
Background: The son of rice shop owners in his hometown of Okazaki in Aichi, Sakurai attended the Nagoya branch of Yoyogi Animation’s seiyuu training school, signing for 81produce soon after graduation. Made his debut in 1997’s Bakuso Kyodai Let’s & Go!! WGP.
Controversy: More than 3 years on, Sakurai is still remembered for his plagiarism scandal that resulted in a public apology and temporary suspension of all activities for a few months. Long story short – Sakurai scripted and put on a play that was accused of copying the work of a certain Mitani Koki, notorious for not allowing any of his works to be re-used or reworked in any way. Cue about 5-6 different apologies across his radio shows and agencies, and even now he doesn’t seem to have 100% recovered his reputation – no Seiyuu Awards thus far despite consistently producing winning performance after winning performance.
Best known roles: Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy series, Kururugi Suzaku in Code Geass series, Shibuya Yuri in Kyo Kara Maoh! series, Tentomon in Digimon Adventure, Ukiya Shun in Gate Keepers, Kusuriuri in Mononoke, Kamiyama Takashi in Cromartie High School, Takamine Kiyomaro in Konjiki no Gash Bell
Currently heard in: Cross Game (Azuma Yuhei), Chu-Bra! (Hayama Keigo), The Book of Bantorra (Ruruta), Battle Spirits: Shonen Gekiha Dan (Momose Yuki), BLEACH (Kira Izuru), Bakemonogatari (Oshino Meme)
Background: Entered Yoyogi Animation’s seiyuu training school after winning an open seiyuu audition organised by Sony Music Entertainment. Ayako’s official seiyuu debut was in 1997’s Taihou Shichauzo! (You’re Under Arrest), but the real break came in 1998’s Outlaw Star as Melfina. Has since done almost every type of character under the sun and has amassed an impressive number of lead roles.
Best known roles: Lafiel Abriel in the Seikai series, Noda Megumi in Nodame Cantabile series, Kamigishi Akari in ToHeart, Ando Mahoro in Mahoromatic series, Sakuraba Aoi in Ai Yori Aoshi series, Saber in Fate/stay night, Melfina in Outlaw Star, Ikusawa Ruriko in Gate Keepers, Ohno Kanako in Genshiken
What else you should know: Self-admittedly bad at singing but particularly adept at the piano – she has played since the age of 3 and graduated from Toho Junior College of Music. Wrote all the lyrics and composed the music with Iwasaki Taku for her 2002 piano/pop album Primary.
Currently heard in: Nodame Cantabile Finale (Noda Megumi), Seikon no Qwaser (Tsujido Miyuri), Ladies vs Butlers! (Saikyo Tomomi), Battle Spirits: Shonen Gekiha Dan (Mai Viole)
About Seki: The older of the two most well-known male seiyuu with the surname Seki, sharing the same trait of being incredibly versatile although Toshihiko is of the laidback type.
Work: Started voice acting in radio dramas in 1983, when he was still in university and went on to anime work later the same year in The Mysterious Cities of Gold. Has clocked up well over 200 anime roles to his credit and as a senior figure within his agency 81produce, lectures and gives classes at the Osaka branch of its training school.
Etc.: Married with 2 daughters, Seki has also worked extensively on education and programmes targeted at kids, providing narration for various NHK shows and doing readings for audio recordings of children’s books.
Best known roles: Duo Maxwell in Gundam Wing, Sanzo Genjo in Saiyuki series, Mousse in Ranma 1/2, Legato Bluesummers in Trigun, Hidaka Shurato in Tenku Senki Shurato, Count D in Petshop of Horrors, Rau Le Creuset in Gundam Seed, Kanzaki Reito in Mai-HiME, Momotaros in Kamen Rider Den-O, Shiba Kaien/Aaroniero Arruruerie in BLEACH
Currently heard in: Keroro Gunsou (Urere), ONE PIECE (Duval)
About Megumi: Started showbiz life as a trained musical actress – Megumi applied to Aoni Juku training school after finding out that the theatre troupe she was attached to was dissolving. She attended an audition for Yu Yu Hakusho and was hired on the spot by virtue of her voice – story goes that all Megu had said was ‘Hi, I’m Ogata from Aoni Production’
Voice: Her husky voice lends itself well to male and tomboy characters, also does the occasional sexy female role. Has spent more time pursuing a music career in recent years, usually using the name em:óu (she is signed to Lantis) rather than voice acting, but maintains a fairly huge fanbase – her website is actively updated and her fanclub RED ANGEL is entering its 4th year.
Best known roles: Ikari Shinji in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Kurama in Yu Yu Hakusho, Tsukishiro Yukito/Yue in Cardcaptor Sakura, Muto Yugi in Yu-Gi-Oh! (Toei), Tenoh Haruka/Sailor Uranus in Sailor Moon series, Tia Harribel in BLEACH
What else you should know: I remember that hilarious ‘lolwtf can’t be true, she must be a lesbo’ reaction amongst certain Western female fans to Megu’s 2004 announcement that she had gotten married to a man 13 years her junior. That’s the kind of fandom she attracts thanks to her sexy voice!
More on Hikaru: One of the 90s most popular male seiyuu, at his peak he (probably) had a zillion fangirls swooning and fainting every time he opened his mouth. Those idol days are long past but Midorikawa still maintains a presence across anime, drama CDs (he’s an uke!) and video games.
Best known roles: Tamahome in Fushigi Yugi, Yuy Heero in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Seiran Shi in Saiunkoku Monogatari, Rukawa Kaede in Slam Dunk, Zelgadis Greywords in Slayers series, Softon in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, Shinjo Naoki in Future GPX Cyber Formula series, Li Xingke in Code Geass
What else you should know: His 2000 marriage to fellow seiyuu Maki Midori (formerly Ito Maki) remains hush-hush – her agency would not authorise either of them to publicise the information and as a result, no formal announcement has ever been made.
Etc: A huge fan of the Super Robot Wars series of games, Midorikawa has done beta testing and provided lines for Banpresto free of charge. He also took on his first sound directing role for Super Robot Wars Z under the moniker Himekawa Hikaru.
Currently heard in: Dragon Ball Kai (Tenshinhan)
Only the final 20 left! I look forward to the inevitable abusive e-mails when people discover ’so & so’ has been left off the list entirely….
kind of surprised some of them are as high as they are actually. but that’s kind of natural since you put some of the other ones lower than I think they deserve :p
I’m enjoying your list since I’m learning lots of stuff about specific seiyuus and anime I’ve never heard of before.
I’m amazed that people still make comments about where seiyuu are on your list considering the fact that you stated in your first post of ‘100 Seiyuu…’ that this wasn’t a list of the best or most talented. It’s subjective, based on your opinions.
geez, I think that reply in the previous list got me spoiled a bit.
AND HELL YEAH TOSHIO! (o~_~o)
Automatic win for Kawasumi Ayako and Kuwashima Houko for this post. But a few other vets were present too, nice info on them.
NAKATA JOUJI!!!! XDDDD
Despite knowing full well this is a subjective, no particular order list, I get the feeling the lineup is getting progressively stronger with each segment of 10. The current one is imho especially impressive.
Another thing about Hisakawa Aya is that among the first generation (early to mid-90s) of popular seiyuu idols, she was arguably the one with the best singing voice (maybe some would argue for Iwao Junko, or even Inoue Kikuko), though in terms of record sales none could not match up with Hayashibara Megumi. Regardless, without their success, artists like Mizuki Nana would have never been given a chance to pursue a serious singing career.
I love Jouji Nakata, and Houko Kuwashima is my favorite female seiyuu. <3 I almost never recognize Kuwashima’s voice when I hear it for the first time in a new series, except for the very few times she has voiced similar characters.
Man, what is up with Midorikawa’s hair? I don’t know if it’s just the picture, but still…
@omo: this is like what? the 6-7th(?) entry and you’re still with the idea that this is an ordered list? she said since the begining that its not ordered :p
As for myself, i had only noticed half of these ( ogtsuka akio, kawasumi ayako, hisakawa aya, kuwashima houko and sakurai takahiro
)
I don’t know if you’re a moviegoer or not, but one interesting to note is that Nakata Jouji dubbed Leonidas in the 300 movie. So, yes, he had his own flair and style performing that “THIS. IS. SPARTA!!!” yell (which you find almost everywhere). Hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyuL5urzEgg
Great list. Looking forward to the next 20, even though I know ’she’ won’t make it in.
Midorikawa is one of the seiyuu I’d be able to recognize instantly. His nasal voice is so easy to tell! Oh, I thought he’s married to his fanclub’s president or something.
Looking forward to the final 20!
Sakurai –> wow i totally didn’t know about this. it’d be good to hear a more in depth cover of the story, cause i’m thinkin’, why would you copy from someone who is so specifically and explicitly against having their stuff being reworked in any way?
Midorikawa –> i don’t know how you find out about this stuff that isn’t ’supposed’ to be known. lol. I’d also like to know when (or what anime?) exactly his “peak” was, when he had a bazillion girls swooning over his voice. i guess i was the opposite then, i started out not thinking much of him, but i grew to like him more with his recent roles. (such as Hakushaku to Yousei. at first i wondered why they didn’t use Miyano Mamoru’s voice, which would have been the stereotypical fit, and then i understood why afterwards.)
Nooo!
Kuwajima Noriko^_^ and Nakata Jouji!!
My favorite female and male seiyuu is already listed. I was hoping that they would be at least revealed in one more round.
I hope I could see Sakamoto Chika there, but meh, it only had 20 spot on that list, of course I’ll be expecting TomoSeki, Furuya-san, Nonko, Tanaka-san, Kappei-kun, Takayama Minami and among others
Kawasumi Ayako! She is amazing as Lafiel, the one single role that made me an immediate fan of hers! She was also amazing as Nodame, heck, she’s amazing at every role she plays!
Oh man. A shih tzu named Ataru? Heh.
The Ootsuka pair has always been dynamic. Don’t know who has the more cooler roles. I don’t think I’ll ever know.
Hona na! I tell you. It sounds so wrong, but so right at the same time.
Kuwashima-san has always been a seiyuu I liked over the years. She has always been versatile. If there was a time she was the wrong seiyuu picked for a role, I’d blame it on the director probably. Ha ha ha!
A Tsubame fan. Blah! (I’m a Kyojin guy.) Other than that, she’s another seiyuu I like. Of course, I have a friend that’s more crazy about her.
I’m glad the seiyuu world has people like Ogata-san. She really likes her job. Oh and she gets bonus points for playing as an ugly witch in a childhood play. People certainly wouldn’t like that sort of role.
As for the guy of many stalkers, yes, guys back then were jealous of him. I think the guys can rest easy now seeing that he’s married. (Never knew about this until just recently.) Yeah.
@omo
I think we both agree that “Noriko” should one of the first seiyuu rookies and vets should know. Remember. This list isn’t ranked at all.
@skchai1
Hisakawa-san having the best singing voice? Her singing voice is good, but I probably would say that “Onee-chan” has the better singing voice, though I’m having a hard time coming up with a list of who has the best singing voice overall. Hisakawa-san’s singing voice would be right in or around the top 10 mix though.
@xellos
You got me.
@Buu
His peak I believe was in “Fushigi Yuugi”. I have a friend in high school who loves Tamahome. She really loves Tamahome. Lots of girls do actually.
@moemoe
Doesn’t matter which round they’d be mentioned in. All that matters is that they are mentioned.
@nakapan_jun
In regards of who hasn’t been said, I’m guessing that a few people that’ll make the list are Mitsuishi-san, Neya Michiko-san, Hiramatsu Akiko-san, Matsuoka Yuki-san and Shiozawa Kaneto-san. My dark horses are Noda Junko-san and…Yuuki Hiro-san. I highly doubt Ai-pon and Kanda Akemi-san will make the cut though.
By the way, Tanaka-san has been mentioned already. She is seiyuu number 46. She’s amusing.
@Beatrix
Yes, she is amazing. She is one seiyuu people should know early. Yeah, you’re definitely like my friend alright, though he prefers Fuu and Kokoro.
@above:
Of course, you’re right. But, I enjoyed the tension of waiting for them to be enlisted. And now, it is gone.
But, I am still gonna follow this issue. I am looking forward to knowing the last 20 person. Actually, I have figured out some of them, though.
Ohtsuka Akio, Hisakawa Aya, Kuwashima Houko, Sakurai Takahiro, Kawasumi Ayako & Midorikawa Hikaru.
I really enjoy to read this list. A lot of things I didn’t know about these seiyuus.
Of course, I can recognize all their voices