Flamboyant moves, chiseled physiques with defined perfection, divine aesthetics accompanied by cascading hair, and powers so immense that cities, continents, and even planets tremble in their presence – some male anime characters are renowned for embodying these traits. Oh, and we mustn’t overlook those thunderous voices that breathe life into these characters.
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A better animation would have done justice to these shows.
But did you ever imagine that some of your beloved male anime characters are actually voiced by females? If you’ve stumbled upon this intriguing fact or someone’s whispered it to you, then it would have been a big surprise for you. But listening to these legendary voice actors, one would never suspect the truth behind the magic they weave, all thanks to their remarkable versatility.
10Kenshin Himura (Mayo Suzukaze)
Rurouni Kenshin
In the realm ofanime swordsmen, Kenshin Himura reigns as one of the finest. As the main protagonist of Rurouni Kenshin, he’s a character with a heart of gold,burdened by the weight of a pastfilled with taking lives. To atone for his sins, he takes an unwavering vow never to kill again.
You can die anytime, but living takes true courage.
He’s a beautifully crafted character, and Kenshin needed a voice actor whose tones could match the purity of his soul. That’s where Mayo Suzukaze stepped in, chosen to breathe life into Kenshin. What’s fascinating is that Mayo Suzukaze is a stage nameconcealing the true identityof the voice actor behind the legend, Kaname Morinaga.
Release Date
Where to Watch
January 1996
Crunchyroll
9Edward Elric (Romi Park)
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist reigns as the dark fantasy genre’s supreme leader, and at its core is thebeloved protagonist, Edward Elric. Edward’s character is a study in contrast – at times rude, stubborn, and even a bit mean, but on the flip side, he reveals loyalty, selflessness, and deep compassion for others.
“A lesson without pain is meaningless. That’s because no one can gain without sacrificing something. But by enduring that pain and overcoming it, he shall obtain a powerful, unmatched heart… A fullmetal heart. "
Such amultifaceted characterneeded a skilled voice to do it justice, and Rumi Park was chosen to voice Edward. Romi’s extensive portfolio is proof of her expertise, including iconic roles in shows like One Piece, Hunter X Hunter, Attack on Titan, Bleach, My Hero Academia, Pokemon, and more.
April 2009
8Boruto Uzumaki (Yuko Sanpei)
Borutoinherits his father Naruto’s energetic, sometimes loud, and occasionally irritating traits. But when things get tough, he transforms into a reliable, loyal, and highly potential individual,just like his father. Characters like Boruto present a challenge not only for their opponents but also for their voice actors.
Bonds Aren’t About History Or Blood.
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Their hidden face becomes their identity.
Enter Yuki Sanpei, a seasoned professional who expertly brings Boruto to life. With years in the business, Yuki has lent his voice to legendary characters like Takeshi Inuyashiki and Ui Ui in Jujutsu Kaisen, and now, she takes on the mantle of Boruto in Boruto: Naruto Next Generation.
April 2017
7Near River (Noriko Hidaka)
Death Note (2006)
Noriko Hidaka’s voice acting skills shine through when you explore the range of characters she’s portrayed. Near fromDeath Noteis just one example. Noriko has also breathed life into Kurapika from Hunter x Hunter, Seta Sojiro from Rurouni Kenshin, and Jean Roque Raltique in Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. Her profile is a testament to her versatility.
I put faith in my own convictions as to what I believe is right and consider them to be righteous.
Playing Near’s character, with a childlike exterior and the intellect of someone like L, was undoubtedly a challenge. It’s no small feat to maintain the youthful tone of Near while infusing it with thewisdom and sensibilityof an adult.
October 2006
6Gon Freecss (Megumi Han)
Hunter x Hunter
Watching Gon inHunter x Hunteris like observing a character with two distinct personalities. One moment, he’s anadorable kidyou’d want to pinch the cheeks of, and the next, he transforms into a fearsome presence you’d rather not meet eye to eye. Such adramatic shift in characternecessitates an equally adept shift in voice, and Megumi Han, a true professional, excelled at this task.
If you want to get to know someone, find out what makes them angry.
While she voiced Gon in the 2011 series, it’s interesting to note that the 1998 Hunter x Hunter movie and the 1999 TV series also featured female voice actors for the character. Rika Matsumoto voiced Gon in the movie, and Junko Takeuchi took the role of the character in the TV series.
October 2011
5Ash Ketchum (Rica Matsumoto)
Ash Ketchum’s journey in the world ofPokemonisn’t just his; it’s a shared experience for us fans. We’ve witnessed Ash’s evolution from a rookie to a Pokemon Champion, and his adventures have been an integralpart of our childhoods. Through the highs and lows, the laughter and tears, Ash became a cherished presence in our lives.
You gotta keep smiling no matter how tough things are getting.
The vibrant character of Ash owes his voice to Rica Matsumoto, a popular voice actor renowned for portraying other characters like Ryo Bakura in Yu-Gi-Oh. It’s interesting to note that Ash’s English voices are also provided by talented female VAs, including Veronica Taylor and Sarah Natochenny.
April 1997
4Ichigo Kurosaki (Yuki Matsuoka)
The Ichigo we’ve come to know in his teenage years is a stubborn, rough, resolute, and trustworthy character. However, in his childhood, he was quite the opposite – a sweet crybaby whoadored his motherand shared precious memories with her. What’s intriguing is that while the older Ichigo is voiced by a male actor, the young Ichigo isbrought to lifeby Yuki Matsuoka.
If miracles only happen once, what are they called the second time?
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Let’s relive the childhood memories again.
What adds anunexpected twist to this taleis that Yuki also happens to be the voice actor for Orihime Inoue, Ichigo’sbest friend. Having both dear friends voiced by the same actor is a delightful surprise. Due to the remarkable variation she put in the two characters, one could never tell if they both have the same voice artist.
October 2004
3Naruto Uzumaki (Junko Takeuchi)
Naruto’s iconic catchphrases like “Kage Bunshin no Jutsu,” the spirited “Sasuke,” and his famous “Nande Dattebayo” will forever echo in our memories. But it’s crucial to give credit where it’s due, and that’s to Junko Takeuchi, the voice behind Naruto Uzumaki. With her energetic voice, she etchedNarutodeep into our hearts,making his character unforgettable.
I won’t run away anymore…I won’t go back on my word…That is my ninja way!
Here’s a surprising nugget: Junko Takeuchi isn’t limited to voicing human characters. She also lent her voice to Akamaru in the series, proving her proficiency in portraying both human andnon-human characters.Now that you know this fact, the next time you hear Akamaru, it will surely bring some memories of Naruto.
February 2007
2Monkey D. Luffy (Mayumi Tanaka)
Luffy, one of themost cherished anime characters, is brought to life by the immensely experienced voice actor Mayumi Tanaka, and it’s a match made in heaven.Over more than a thousand episodesspanning a journey of more than 25 years, Mayumi’s voice has become a cherished part of our lives. A special shoutout to Luffy’s Baka song, which became as legendary as the series itself, and thanks to Mayumi for making it as hilarious as it could have been.
If you don’t take risks, you can’t create a future.
Mayumi’s extensive career, which began in 1978, has left an irreplaceable mark on the industry. Her portfolio includes a vast array of shows, movies, live-action performances, and video games, making her a well-known and respected figure in the world of voice acting.
October 1999
1Goku (Masako Nozawa)
Dragon Ball
When it comes to Masako Nozawa, words often fall short of describing her truly remarkable career. This legendary voice actress has not only voiced a legend but is, in fact, a legend herself. She’s the voice behind Goku, the most iconic and beloved anime character of all time.
The power comes in response to a need, not a desire.
But here’s where it gets even more astounding – she also brought Gohan and Goten to life, voicing both the sons and the father with such distinct variation that it’s hard to believe they come from the same voice actor. It’s no surprise that she holds not one but two Guinness World Records – one for having the longest voice acting career in video games and the other for being the voice actor portraying a particular character in a game for the most time.
