100 Seiyuu Everybody Should Know: 70-61
A bit of an unintentional intermission between posts after time spent celebrating birthdays and bounding around conventions but nevertheless, rolling on with Part 4 of the (not so great) countdown! This time, there’s a fair lot of GAR and just a little bit of moe.
Why you should know him: The noisiest, rowdiest seiyuu this side of the moon.
All about Nakai: Nakai used to be a civil servant but took voice acting classes at Aoni’s training school at nights and on weekends hoping to break out of his mundane life. Landed his first major role in After War Gundam X as Witz Sou and has barely looked back since.
Best known roles: Roronoa Zoro in One Piece, Mugen in Samurai Champloo, Hijikata Toshiro in Gintama, Domeki Shizuka in xxxHOLiC, Date Masamune in Sengoku BASARA
Favourite Nakai role: Karasu/Noein in Noein is one of his darkest and most complex roles to date and I enjoyed the change from his rowdier roles.
Currently heard in: Asura Cryin’ 2 (Kagakagari Takaya), One Piece (Roronoa Zoro)
Why you should know her: A major Major iron lady.
Signature line: ネットは広大だわ。(Netto wa koudai da wa).
All about Atsuko: A latecomer to the business, Atsuko actually spent 5 years after graduating from university working as an OL (office lady) in the computing industry. Having taken dance lessons on the side, she eventually signed up with a stage company and eventually went into seiyuu work on the recommendation of a colleague. Her first work was in newscasting, and her debut anime role was as Yuca Meilasch in Mobile Suit Victory Gundam.
Best known roles: Kusanagi Motoko in the Ghost in the Shell series, Caster in Fate/stay night, Atelia in Mahou Shoujotai Arusu, Konan in Naruto
My favourite Atsuko role: Karura in Utawarerumono typifies the ’strong lady’ roles she excels at.
Currently heard in: Nyankoi! (Nyamsas), Toaru Kagaku no Railgun (Kiyama Harumi), Umineko no Naku Koro ni (Ushiromiya Kyrie), Queen’s Blade~Gyokuza no Tsugumono~ (Claudette)
Why you should know her: ONEE-SAMA!!
All about Miki: In recent years Miki has developed a reputation for voicing motherly/sisterly types but before her mid-90s marriage + kids hiatus she was known more for her tough-talking, sexy ladies.
Best known roles: Android #18 in Dragon Ball Z, Mineva Lao Zabi in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, A-ko in Project A-ko, Ogasawara Sachiko in Maria-sama ga Miteru series, Shigure Asa from Shuffle!, Gally/Alita in Battle Angel Alita
Favourite Miki role: This is probably going back ages, but Sumeragi Hokuto in Tokyo Babylon.
Currently heard in: Umineko no Naku Koro ni (Ushiromiya Eva)
Why you should know him: One of the most prolific seiyuu you’ve probably never heard of.
All about Genda: Musically-inclined (and also took ballet lessons), the gruffed-voiced Genda started out on stage and only began dabbling in seiyuu work after fellow veteran actor Nozawa Nachi introduced him to sound director Shiba Shigeharu.
Best known roles: Slegger Law in Mobile Suit Gundam, Umibouzu in City Hunter, Go Daijiro in Voltes V, Reietsu Go in High School!! Kimengumi, Takeda Shingen in Sengoku BASARA
What else you should know: He’s the official Japanese dub for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. Also does voiceovers for Batman, Optimus Prime and Tigger (from Winnie the Pooh).
Why you should know him: The voice that defined GAR.
All about Junichi: A fangirl favourite due to his cool/suave/manly voice, Suwabe shot to fame at the turn of the century with roles in X/TV and Prince of Tennis and has since covered every role in the book from soft-spoken mages to perverted bishops to insane test tube babies. I hear he makes a good seme…
Best known roles: Atobe Keigo in Prince of Tennis, Mono Fuma in X/TV, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques in Bleach, Archer in Fate/Stay Night, Sting Oakley in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed DESTINY
Favourite JunJun role: I best remember him as the voice of the rather silly Seymour Guado in Final Fantasy X, though Archer also left a huge impression on me.
Currently heard in: Hanasakeru Seishonen (Zao Monchen)
Why you should know her: One of the current generation’s brightest stars, huge SHAFT favourite.
All about Chiwa: The strange tale of her reason for wanting to become a seiyuu - Chiwa asked her mother to buy her the fashion magazine ViVi but she mistakenly got her a seiyuu mag instead. One thing led to another and Chiwa ended up on the books of I’m Enterprise whilst still in university, landing her first lead in Kokoro Toshokan (as Kokoro) at the age of 20.
Best known roles: Lavie Head in LAST EXILE, Hinata Natsumi in Keroro Gunsou, Hazuki in Tsukuyomi -MOON PHASE-, Aika S. Granzchesta in ARIA series, Rebecca ‘Becky’ Miyamoto in Paniponi Dash!, Louise Halevy in Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Senjougahara Hitagi in Bakemonogatari
My favourite Chiwa role: Recency bias means Senjougahara sticks very strongly in the mind (after all, her voice actress is truly excellent!), though pretty much all of her SHAFT roles have been made of win - even that green thing (Motsu) in Negima!? and the soundless Otonashi Meru in Zetsubo-sensei.
Currently heard in: Sasameki Koto (Taema Miyako), Keroro Gunso (Natsumi)
Why you should know her: The embodiment of moe. Her voice anyway.
All about Sakura: I think everyone pretty much knows the story - popular 90s idol retires from voice acting in 2000 to focus on singing and makes a return nearly a decade later with a role as Kobayakawa Rinko in popular dating-sim Love Plus. With that, a few thousand fanboys (and this fangirl) rejoice.
Best known roles: Kinomoto Sakura in Card Captor Sakura, Hinano in Trouble Chocolate, Maico in Android Announcer Maico 2010, Izumi Kozue in Infinite Ryvius
My favourite Sakura role: Need you ask? Sakura for sure, a character that has the ability to turn just about anyone into a loli-pedo (regardless of whether you fit the demographic or not).
Currently heard in: Anyamaru Tantei Kiruminzoo (Hatori Kanon)
Why you should know him: The silver-haired super-robot show screamer.
Signature line: YATTE YARUZE!!!
All about Yao: Some might describe him as a poor man’s Kamiya Akira, but Yao can shout with the best of them. Although he tends to voice bumbling, incompetent fools more than actual heroes.
Best known roles: Fujiwara Shinobu in Dancougar series, Judau Ashta in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Da Cider in NG Knights Lamune & 40, Hamel in Violinist of Hameln, Guibu in The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Jango, Franky & Bon Clay in One Piece
Currently heard in: Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (Lieutenant Yoki), One Piece (various)
Why you should know him: The best purveyor of deadpan currently in business. Possibly one of the industry’s most eccentric and charismatic stars too.
All about Sugita: A nice stroke of luck in landing the ‘lead’ role in Haruhi catapulted Sugita into the spotlight - before that he had mostly been identified as ‘the guy who talked to the cow’ in the anime adaptation of CLAMP’s Chobits.
Best known roles: Kyon in Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu, Sakata Gintoki in Gintama, Aizawa Yuichi in Kanon (TV2), Motosuwa Hideki in Chobits, Ragna the Bloodegdge in Blazblue (game)
Favourite SugiTomo role: Sumeragi Subaru in X served as my introduction to Sugita and remains my favourite role of his. The alien from Pani Poni Dash! runs a close second.
Currently heard in: Umineko no Naku Koro ni (Ronove), Natsu no Arashi 2 (Shioya), Miracle Train (Tocho Saki), Gintama (Gintoki)
Why you should know him: Quiet heroes who suddenly suddenly start screaming - Hoshi’s your man. Amongst the noughties’ most popular leading men.
Signature line: OYAKATA-SAAAMAAAA!!!
All about Soichiro: Hoshi has a distinctly whiny, high-pitched voice that like Sakaguchi Daisuke, makes him particularly well-suited for male teenage leads. I hear he makes a good uke..
Best known roles: Yamato Kira in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, Son Goku in Saiyuki series, Kusanagi Kei in Onegai Teacher, Maebara Keiichi in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Aiba Yuuki in Infinite Ryvius, Akizuki Souma/Xero in Shining Wind
What else you should know: After working together with Hayashibara Megumi on Lost Universe back in 1998 Hoshi was hired as Megu’s assistant on her Heartful Station radio show in July 1999 - 10 years later, he is still holding the position.
Favourite Soichiro role: Oh dear. What to pick from his extensive list of credits… I’d probably go for Hanabishi Kaoru in Ai Yori Aoshi, the all-around nice guy and ‘zomg not annoying!’ male harem lead. I like him as Lio in the Kara no Kyokai movies as well.
Currently heard in: Sora no Otoshimono (Sakurai Tomoki)
Coming up to the halfway mark next!
November 28th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Ohh nice, i was wondering what had happened to these lists.
Hmm, i think this is the list with the most seiyuus i’ve heard. Agree on tomokazu sugita, awesome/funny :p
November 28th, 2009 at 1:21 am
I didn’t know Sugita played Ronove. No wonder his voice sounded vaguely familiar.
My favorite role of Suwabe’s isn’t actually one of his deep-voiced bishounen: it’s the Undertaker from Kuroshitsuji. Vocal performances that surprise me and fool me into thinking that the character is played by someone else usually end up becoming my favorites.
November 28th, 2009 at 3:52 am
1. what, this list has chiwa and sakura tange, that’s pretty moe already.
2. what, chiwa at 65? whatttt?
November 28th, 2009 at 4:57 am
The first thing I noticed was… A LACK OF YUKARIN. 8D
Ohhh, so that’s what Hoshi dood looks like. Kept seeing pictures of him and wondering and now I know.
sankyuu, ojimusama. orz
November 28th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Wow. 100 seiyuu?! I don’t even think I can make a list of 100 seiyuu period. Ha ha ha!
Is this in order or did you just type/write names you know that had to be here?
Personally, Hoshi-san would rank high on my list of seiyuu people should know. (Whether or not that really should change, I don’t know.) If there is a fat knock on him, it’s that he is a late bloomer. That’s it.
November 28th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Hoshi ranks high on my list of seiyuu as well, especially in the male area. He is one of the more well-known (if not already notorious for his role as Kira Yamato and other ones) for me and I would definitely recommend his work.
Saito’s best work yet so far must be Senjougahara, but then again even though I heard some of her earlier works outside of SHAFT’s, I have not really heard enough of her voice to make an unbiased judgment. Tanaka Atsuko is more recent for me though, I really only grew to like her onee-san voice from Claudette.
Also Ragna the Bloodedge, you missed “Bloodedge” out in your listing for Sugita. And there are three Sengoku Basara seiyuu in this particular list. Hmm…
November 28th, 2009 at 9:36 am
@omo
whhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttt
@r3
Oh shush. Yukarin will come before you know it.
@聖者
I’d like to think it’s just a plain old list of ‘100 seiyuu everybody should know’ though putting numbers there probably defeats that purpose… I did already draw up the whole list in advance & although I wasn’t intending it to be ranked in order I guess I do try to take into account a variety of factors - achievements, talents, visibility etc etc before deciding who gets what arbitrary number in front of their name. I think you’ll see in coming weeks that maybe those numbers aren’t that important…
@Panther
LOL I was supposed to remove Ragna from the list but I forgot. Thanks for pointing it out anyway, guess I gotta leave it there now.
November 28th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Fantastic list! I know all of em! I don’t have much to say (except I always loved Yao’s sexy silver hair…). I look forward to more.
And lots of people seem to enjoy Tessho’s screaming?
November 29th, 2009 at 2:09 am
wai!!!! Nakapan!!!! I thought he’s not going to be on the list since more popular seiyuu were already shown up! But my dear Nakapan is here! Regardless on his rank, I totally agree, everyone should know these talented seiyuu! Again, Nakapan is also a late bloomer too, loool. but YAY!
and Sugita is love! that deadpan and very young face with very low voice. Indeed why everyone recognize him!
November 29th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
omo needs to make his own seiyuu list, based on his responses.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
@j1m0ne
Ah, okay. Thanks.
@omo
It’s hard to believe that Tange-san has returned. It’s as if she was just a distant memory a while back.
@r3
She’ll come sooner or later. This is only the 60s section.
@Panther
I think everyone outside of Japan (or just about everyone) knows him as Kira.
@TheBigN
I’m pretty sure omo has made a seiyuu list before. (Just not a list with 100 seiyuu.)
November 30th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Are you kidding? He was the epic narrator of Shin Mazinger Z! He can give Norio Wakamoto a run for his money any day. Most of his better-known voice work is in (ironically) Japanese-dubbed western animations, though.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Batman, Optimus Prime and Tigger. It is impossible to have a more awesome group of characters.
I knew all the girls and three men this time around. Yay!
December 4th, 2009 at 10:20 am
@聖者
Yes, I know. I enjoy bugging jimu with my YUKARIN YUKARIN GO!GO!GO! OHIMESAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-ness.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:46 am
Lol @ Sugita. “The guy who talked to the cow”
For me, his famous role is definitely GIN-SAN! That aside though….
Ever notice how whenever Sugita has to take a ’serious’ pictures, he looks like a stoner or just very stern face? But whenever he takes a group picture, he looks like the odd crazy guy who’s mood is obviously 10x too high for the occasion?
December 12th, 2009 at 5:41 am
I’m loving reading all these articles, just so much great seiyuu info. Keep up the awesome work by the way. You haven’t even touched people like Shuichi Ikeda, Noto Mamiko, Norio Wakamoto, Tanaka Rie, Megumi Hayashibara or someone new-ish like Tomatsu Haruka yet I’m learning something new and interesting all the time.
December 31st, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Ito Mikaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KYAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Genda Tessho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I recognize a lot of works from the other seiyuu’s on this batch as well, but yeah some of my favorite 90’s work and the seiyuu’s… hahahaaha..