Anime Voice

Thu 2007/10/18 16:35 JST
 50
 in Anime
1889 views

Have you ever wanted to put a real face to the voice behind the anime character?
A voice actor/actress is known as a Seiyuu [声優]. I'm terrible at remembering seiyuu names and can only remember Aya Hirano (Haruhi etc) and Akio Ohtsuka (Metal Gear Solid etc).

Here are a collection of some of the most popular anime characters in Japan and their seiyuu counterpart.
UPDATE: found the videos at Moetron. Images from Byozine.

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  • Barsona
    Barsona in Bay Area, California (Registered on 2007/08/03)
    NEET (no, student, AND employed min. wage)
    http://otterhangar.blogspot.com/

    dude!
    I want to see this!

    Thu 2007/10/18 16:37:51 JST (ID #60052)
    reply to Barsona's comment
  • Hatix
    Hatix in Antwerp, Belgium (Registered on 2007/04/25)
    IT, Programmer, Otaku, ...
    http://blog.jpopdb.org/

    I try to remember my favorites and those from my favorite series.
    Like Hirano Aya, Chihara Minoru, Goto Yuko, Tanaka Rie, Sugita Tomo-something, Horie Yui, Takahashi Chiaki, Shiraishi Minoru, but there are so many more... But I try to remember ;p

    Thu 2007/10/18 16:43:35 JST (ID #60053)
    reply to Hatix's comment
  • AndyH
    AndyH in Birmingham, UK (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    3D artist
    http://andyh.cgsociety.org

    Haha! Kenshiro's voice actor is SUPERB! He looks like a gameshow host! Totally unexpected. Im also quite surprised at how many of them are female. Astro boy? That guy from one piece? Shin-chan???

    Aya Hirano sure is cute though...

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:18:11 JST (ID #60058)
    reply to AndyH's comment
  • jimmykitty
    jimmykitty in Oakland, Ca. (Registered on 2007/09/10)
    Comic Artist, writer
    http://jimmykitty.com

    Some of these voice actors are really cute!
    I'm also impressed they list many of the older anime shows / movies, too.

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:18:56 JST (ID #60059)
    reply to jimmykitty's comment
  • Huk
    Huk in SG (Registered on 2006/12/24)

    I m one of those that couldnt be bothered with the voice behind, similarly I dun care whether its some megastars behind the voice of major hollywood animated movies like Shrek or Toy Stories and such.
    As long as they did a good job.

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:23:56 JST (ID #60061)
    reply to Huk's comment
  • CyruzDraxs
    CyruzDraxs in Kelowna, BC, Canada (Registered on 2007/09/11)
    Web Design & Development
    http://www.nerdculture.org

    I don't know many of them by name, mostly just by voice.

    With dubbed stuff I can always pick out Johnny Yong Bosch and a few others. Johnny owns.

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:28:42 JST (ID #60065)
    reply to CyruzDraxs's comment
  • keats
    keats in NL (Registered on 2007/09/02)
    Eternal Dreamer

    Megumi.
    Hayashibara.
    _o_

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:32:54 JST (ID #60068)
    reply to keats's comment
  • Tom
    Tom in サウス フロリダ (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    Professional Student
    http://code00101.googlepages.com

    I'm a big 声優ヲタク so I actually know quite a few 声優 names, as well as their roles. I started getting into them when I realized how much better they were then the American counterparts.

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:33:38 JST (ID #60069)
    reply to Tom's comment
  • CrazyAnimeTuga
    CrazyAnimeTuga in Portugal (Registered on 2007/01/02)
    Student
    http://animestuff.wordpress.com/

    Although I don't know their names I can spot an actors voice in many animes, mostly because I had piano lessons so I kind have a kin sense to voices and sounds.

    Some of the actors voices are really easy to notice but others are really hard since they seem to be able to modify them. Mostly the voices I can notice are Clare's (Claymore), Yakumo (School Rumble), Aramaki (GITS S.A.C), Madarame (Genshiken), Mu La Flaga (G. Seed) and some others.

    Sry to write the characters and animes but I don't know their names, go see them at ANN

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:34:12 JST (ID #60070)
    reply to CrazyAnimeTuga's comment
  • Dead Snake
    Dead Snake in Ngayogyakarto Hadiningrat (Registered on 2007/05/11)
    writing mini thesises
    http://kazenomise.net/

    I can recognize the anime but don't know the seiyuu

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:38:37 JST (ID #60071)
    reply to Dead Snake's comment
  • Tiny Red Man
    Tiny Red Man in Tiny Red Dot, Singapore. (Registered on 2007/04/11)
    Dog of the Country

    i'm kinda surprised how old the seiyuus are..

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:39:21 JST (ID #60072)
    reply to Tiny Red Man's comment
  • Barsona
    Barsona in Bay Area, California (Registered on 2007/08/03)
    NEET (no, student, AND employed min. wage)
    http://otterhangar.blogspot.com/

    for those who want to see that actual program, you can view it at Yahoo videos: Daitan Map Popular Anime Character Voices

    Thu 2007/10/18 17:45:52 JST (ID #60074)
    reply to Barsona's comment
  • XSportSeeker
    XSportSeeker in Brazil (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
    http://xspblog.com

    Aya Hirano is also the Seyuu from Konata (Lucky Star) and Misamisa (Death Note). Impressive.

    I'm always amazed by how cute some Seyuus are, and on the wide range of different voices some can do.

    My favorite female Seyuu right now is probably Aya. But some are plain immortal, like Megumi Hayashibara.

    As for male seyuu... the guy that did Vash on Trigun is great. But the one I like the most is the guy that did Chyo's father on Azumanga Daioh, Mechazawa-kun on Cromartie and Onsokumaru on Ninin ga Shinobuden.
    He's so freaking hilarious! XD

    Thu 2007/10/18 18:05:38 JST (ID #60080)
    reply to XSportSeeker's comment
  • Danny Choo
    Danny Choo in Tokyo (Registered on 2006/12/11)
    CEO MIrai Inc
    http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
    Thu 2007/10/18 18:09:50 JST (ID #60081)
    reply to Danny Choo's comment
  • Jazz
    Jazz in England (Registered on 2007/07/16)
    Thu 2007/10/18 18:11:06 JST (ID #60082)
    reply to Jazz's comment
  • syrix
    syrix in U.S. (Registered on 2007/03/21)
    student
    http://animesugoi.animeblogger.net/

    The hardest part about putting anime and VA's faces is when I see animes with young boys like Shinchan, hard to tell that it's women behind their voice and not boys.

    Thu 2007/10/18 18:26:59 JST (ID #60086)
    reply to syrix's comment
  • Barsona
    Barsona in Bay Area, California (Registered on 2007/08/03)
    NEET (no, student, AND employed min. wage)
    http://otterhangar.blogspot.com/

    watching through the rankings, I am surprised the VA for Char didn't want to show his face at first. I recall I seen him else where... Maybe b/c it was a magazine...

    Conan also.

    Thu 2007/10/18 18:41:35 JST (ID #60089)
    reply to Barsona's comment
  • PoWeR
    PoWeR in Vancouver (Registered on 2007/08/28)
    Student
    http://www.xfire.com/profile/power1x1/

    lol .... memorizing sum right now cause of this T_T

    Thu 2007/10/18 18:52:57 JST (ID #60090)
    reply to PoWeR's comment
  • Alafista OTAKU
    Alafista OTAKU in Singapore (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    Policy & Research Officer
    http://www.alafista.com/

    I always try to remember those seiyuus for characters that I really like so I can later try to look out for their other works.

    Thu 2007/10/18 19:11:35 JST (ID #60093)
    reply to Alafista OTAKU's comment
  • Edward
    Edward in SE Michigan/Osaka (Registered on 2006/12/24)
    Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
    http://funkyblueame.tumblr.com/

    I never been good with names... It's one of my weak points. I do try to remember Seiyuu that voice my favorite characters.

    Thu 2007/10/18 19:31:21 JST (ID #60097)
    reply to Edward's comment
  • Hatori
    Hatori in Florida,USA (Registered on 2007/08/20)
    Student
    http://irregularbloggers.wordpress.com/

    I'm ok with Seiyuu names, usually for the older more known seiyuus of my favorite animes.
    A few that I remember off hand are Norio Wakamoto (good bless that man), Aya Hirano, Ayako Kawasumi (one of the sweetest voices I know), Rie Kugimiya, etc.
    Usually when I try to recommend animes and I try to explain some of the characters I go "You know he/she's the voice of so and so from that one anime and that other one?".
    Thank goodness for Anime News Network.

    Thu 2007/10/18 21:29:56 JST (ID #60105)
    reply to Hatori's comment
  • Boris
    Boris in USA (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    Visual Communications and Web 2.0
    http://www.imagineboris.com

    hahhha thats funny, i can't imagine some of those voices come from people. They look so not what I would have thought they are. hehe

    Thu 2007/10/18 22:20:51 JST (ID #60108)
    reply to Boris's comment
  • Mars
    Mars in Chicago, America (Registered on 2007/08/23)
    College Kid
    http://www.facebook.com/people/Alexander-Geovani-Castillo/1138650146

    hahaha That's great! Did you know that Peter Cullen, the english voice of the original Optimus Prime was also the original english voice of Eeyore? I kid you not, hows that for funny?

    Thu 2007/10/18 22:36:49 JST (ID #60110)
    reply to Mars's comment
  • ngee_khiong
    ngee_khiong in Kuching, Malaysia (Registered on 2007/05/16)
    Student
    http://ngeekhiong.blogspot.com/

    It's amazing to see that many of the male characters in anime are voiced by female Seiyuu in reality ^^

    My favorite voice-actor is Nobuyuki Hiyama. He voiced for Shiro Amada in the 08th MS Team and Guy Shishio in Gaogaigar, both hot-blooded heroes; and then Director Azrael in SEED, the ultimate villain who made the audience hot-blooded instead ^^;

    Thu 2007/10/18 22:41:26 JST (ID #60112)
    reply to ngee_khiong's comment
  • shippoyasha
    shippoyasha in NYC (Registered on 2007/06/10)
    NEET

    That Hokuto no Ken seiyuu Akira Kamiya still has an awesome voice as Mouri Kogoro in Detective Conan. And that Crayon Shinchan seiyuu still looks pretty young.

    Thu 2007/10/18 23:30:35 JST (ID #60114)
    reply to shippoyasha's comment
  • lu-k
    lu-k in Bayonne, France (Registered on 2007/01/07)
    Software Developer
    http://www.mukyaa.com

    Starting to be kindda familiar with seiyuu names. Somethimes I even check for anime casting to know if I'll watch it or not ^^;
    My fav is Ayako Kawasumi for female seiyuu, and Tomokazu Seki for male (with that, you can easily undertand with I love Nodame Cantabile haha)

    Fri 2007/10/19 00:09:50 JST (ID #60115)
    reply to lu-k's comment
  • Seiryuu
    Seiryuu in Singapore (Registered on 2007/10/02)
    Student
    http://seiryuulostmymusic.wordpress.com

    i'm familiar with the 5 seiyuu of the 5 main chars of suzumiya haruhi, especially aya hirano! thats of course becos i'm her fan lol. i dun really remember the seiyuu's name unless i'm a fan of the anime or the seiyuu. aya hirano is the best, i can't possibly forget that!

    Fri 2007/10/19 01:03:13 JST (ID #60121)
    reply to Seiryuu's comment
  • Henry
    Henry in /usr/bin/ (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    anime/cosplay events organizer
    http://www.cosplay.ph

    i' familiar with some seiyuu names and the characters that they gave voice to but there are times that i forgot their names ^^;;;;

    Fri 2007/10/19 01:03:43 JST (ID #60122)
    reply to Henry's comment
  • シャキー
    シャキー in カナダ (Registered on 2007/07/14)
    Student~

    know some dunno some --> the popular ones are easy to remember and for some reason... girl seiyu are easier to rememebr than boys (probably because girl's voice in anime are more to the extreme)

    Fri 2007/10/19 01:16:51 JST (ID #60125)
    reply to シャキー's comment
  • Kururu_luva
    Kururu_luva in Richmond, BC Canada (Registered on 2007/01/20)

    im surprised that tanaka rie wasnt on the list

    Fri 2007/10/19 02:20:32 JST (ID #60128)
    reply to Kururu_luva's comment
  • notfair
    notfair in Malaysia (Registered on 2007/08/14)
    Student, ACG Fans
    http://modvisc.blogspot.com

    i only familiar to some seiyu, but most of seiyu i don't know...

    Fri 2007/10/19 04:09:10 JST (ID #60133)
    reply to notfair's comment
  • GundamJehutyKai
    GundamJehutyKai in Foundation II Stellvia (Registered on 2007/09/12)
    Service desk support
    http://lookingglass.kokidokom.net

    Nothing will shock me as much as when I saw Aya Hirano appear in Yeah!Yeah!yeah! and she opened her mouth...

    God, I thought she was on helium!!! Don't think much of her new look either, but then she's not really one of my fave VAs...

    Fri 2007/10/19 05:56:26 JST (ID #60144)
    reply to GundamJehutyKai's comment
  • Gundam Otaku
    Gundam Otaku in Tropical Singapore (Registered on 2006/12/30)
    Student
    http://marianto.deviantart.com/

    How is it possible that the legendary toru furuya is not the list?

    He's my favourite seiyuu

    アムロ・レイ, ガンダム, いきます!

    Fri 2007/10/19 06:01:58 JST (ID #60149)
    reply to Gundam Otaku's comment
  • GundamJehutyKai
    GundamJehutyKai in Foundation II Stellvia (Registered on 2007/09/12)
    Service desk support
    http://lookingglass.kokidokom.net

    Most of the characters shown on the list are of really famous anime characters which are well known by the average person as well as anime fans. (you can really tell with characters like Doraemon and Shin-chan in there).
    Rie Tanaka and other Seiyuus probably won't be included as, although their parts are well known by anime fans and otaku, they probably aren't as well known by the general public. The exception on the list being Aya Hirano and Haruhi, since Haruhi took a life of it's own when it aired.

    If I'm wrong, then I demand Yukari Tamura and Yui Horie in that list dammit!!!

    Fri 2007/10/19 06:10:34 JST (ID #60150)
    reply to GundamJehutyKai's comment
  • gordon
    gordon in 新加坡 Singapore (Registered on 2007/06/11)
    銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
    http://gordonator.com/

    Hirano Aya! ^^

    Fri 2007/10/19 07:24:46 JST (ID #60159)
    reply to gordon's comment
  • Chuck Gaffney
    Chuck Gaffney in Selden, New York (Registered on 2007/07/28)
    Anime Store Owner, artist, Web master
    http://www.chucksanimeshrine.com

    Its cool to see who does the voices. For the american voice actors some might surprise people too. For example, the voice of Vash the Stampede, Ichigo and countless others was also the same actor who played as Adam the black ranger in the Power Rangers Movie and series.

    Fri 2007/10/19 07:50:52 JST (ID #60161)
    reply to Chuck Gaffney's comment
  • Starboykb
    Starboykb in Brunei Earth (Registered on 2007/05/15)
    IT TechGuy
    http://starboykb.blogspot.com

    I like Haruhi!

    Fri 2007/10/19 08:23:53 JST (ID #60165)
    reply to Starboykb's comment
  • BeLe
    BeLe in Davao, Philippines (Registered on 2007/01/03)
    .NET/Web Developer
    http://scrumptious.animeblogger.net

    I remember seiyuu names but I can't seem to recognize some of their voices.

    I'm amazed though when I first found out that some female seiyuus are behind the voices of male characters and as to how flexible their voices can be. *applause*

    Fri 2007/10/19 10:42:19 JST (ID #60181)
    reply to BeLe's comment
  • zer0kage
    zer0kage in Brunei (Registered on 2007/07/08)
    Student

    Kaneto Shiozawa was one of the best but sad he passed away years ago.

    Weird shouldn't this page contain some Koyasu, Megumi Hayashibara, Takeshi Kusao, Yui Horie, Kawasumi Ayako, Midorikawa Hikaru and blah blah stuff?

    Fri 2007/10/19 10:55:56 JST (ID #60183)
    reply to zer0kage's comment
  • Hayden
    Hayden in London, UK (Registered on 2007/01/06)
    Custom Pc Builder, Muppet, Pyromaniac, Demolitions Expert, Guitar Slinger,
    http://myspace.com/dyingoblivion

    man talk about some vintage anime!!! im not suprised that most male (boy/kid/child) voices are done by females. its just like in the simpsons. theres a lady doing barts voice

    Fri 2007/10/19 14:35:46 JST (ID #60203)
    reply to Hayden's comment
  • Tragic comedy
    Tragic comedy in Singapore (Registered on 2007/04/10)
    Animator/ graphic designer
    http://www.collateralds.com/

    i must say alot of them look like their anime counterparts...

    Fri 2007/10/19 19:45:28 JST (ID #60238)
    reply to Tragic comedy's comment
  • D_Blade
    D_Blade in Montreal (Registered on 2006/12/31)
    Non-profit org. volunteering work addict

    Yes Hayden, Nancy Cartwright (a girl indeed) is Bart Simpson's actor voice.

    Fri 2007/10/19 20:46:53 JST (ID #60251)
    reply to D_Blade's comment
  • DRAGUN
    DRAGUN in Arizona, USA (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Design Consultant

    CHAR!!.. gundam dynasty warriors is the best.

    Sun 2007/10/21 00:12:39 JST (ID #60425)
    reply to DRAGUN's comment
  • Evo_Spec
    Evo_Spec in Alberta, Canada (Registered on 2007/10/21)

    I pay attention to Seiyuu's because i like to get songs sung by them

    Sun 2007/10/21 22:25:20 JST (ID #60497)
    reply to Evo_Spec's comment
  • bakanekochan
    bakanekochan in somewhere on earth. (Registered on 2007/10/24)
    Student

    with char being my favorite UC gundam character you'd think I'd remember his Seiyuu's name XD.

    Thu 2007/10/25 01:08:01 JST (ID #60905)
    reply to bakanekochan's comment
  • lostandfound
    lostandfound in Singapore (Registered on 2007/10/21)
    Hikikomori in the making
    http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/

    Most guy characters are played by female seiyuus, guess girls are great at voice acting?

    Fri 2008/01/25 02:20:33 JST (ID #70651)
    reply to lostandfound's comment
  • graeble.
    graeble. in South Texas (Registered on 2008/05/23)
    lecherous wretch
    http://graeble.deviantart.com/

    great post!
    i really enjoyed putting the faces to the voices.

    Sat 2008/05/24 18:36:53 JST (ID #195955)
    reply to graeble.'s comment

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