Kenjiro Tsuda has been crowned No.1 in ORICON NEWS’ inaugural Favorite Voice Actor Ranking Male Edition, reflecting a year in which his presence extended beyond voice acting into television dramas and films, leading to a renewed appreciation of both his recognition and acting ability.

Following the announcement of the Female Edition on the 22nd, which drew major attention as Saori Hayami topped the list for her powerful performance as Shinobu Kocho in the blockbuster anime film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Arc Chapter One Akaza Returns, ORICON NEWS revealed the results of the Male Edition. Taking first place is Kenjiro Tsuda, known for his role as Novak in the anime Chi. On the Movements of the Earth, as well as his extensive work as a live action actor in Japanese television dramas such as Anpan, Unbound, and The Royal Family.

Success That Extends Beyond Voice Acting

The top spot was claimed by Kenjiro Tsuda, widely recognized for his iconic roles including Seto Kaiba in Yu Gi Oh Duel Monsters, Sadaharu Inui in The Prince of Tennis, and Kento Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen. In 2025, he appeared in high profile anime such as Chi. On the Movements of the Earth, which aired from October 2024 to March 2025, where he voiced Novak, as well as Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider, in which he played Hachiro Nakao.

In addition to his voice acting, Tsuda’s appearances in television dramas and films stood out this year. His roles in Anpan, Unbound, The Royal Family, as well as films such as Silent Service Arctic Ocean Clash and Trillion Game The Movie, significantly increased his visibility. As a result, many survey responses referenced his work in live action dramas and films, noting that his face has become as recognizable as his voice.

One respondent commented, “I see and hear him everywhere, not just in anime but also in dramas, news programs, variety shows, and commercials. His voice is calming, and before I knew it, I was completely drawn in. At first, I was obsessed with his attractive voice, but after seeing him in dramas, I realized he is truly the perfect mature leading man” (Shizuoka, teenage woman). Another wrote, “He is wonderful as a voice actor, but his performances in dramas like The Royal Family and Anpan show incredible presence. I cannot take my eyes off him” (Niigata, man in his 40s).

While many praised the increased opportunities to see his face through dramas, films, and appearances on programs such as Another Sky, others focused on his core strength as a voice actor. One respondent described his voice as one that should remain even if only a few male voice actors were left in Japan, praising its deep, rugged, and intimidating qualities.

Looking ahead, Tsuda is set to star alongside Takashi Sorimachi and Nampachi Omori in the Fuji TV drama Ramune Monkey, which begins airing in January next year. At 54 years old, his momentum shows no signs of slowing, and his activities in 2026 are expected to span anime, commercials, narration, and live action acting.

Versatility and Reliability Define a Legendary Voice

Ranked second is Koichi Yamadera, a legendary voice actor whose reputation needs little explanation. Like Tsuda, he appeared in the drama Anpan this year, while continuing to work extensively across variety shows, anime, commercials, and narration. One of his most talked about roles was reprising the voice of Stitch in Disney’s live action adaptation of Lilo and Stitch, having originally voiced the character in the animated version.

Fans praised his extraordinary range, with comments such as, “He can voice so many different Disney characters, even non human ones, which is incredible” (Niigata, woman in her 20s). Others described him as having reached the realm of a god of voices, capable of perfectly fitting any role, whether villainous or foreign, and lauded his consistent reliability and singing ability.

Demon Slayer Performances Dominate the Rankings

A notable trend in this year’s rankings was the strong presence of voice actors who appeared in the currently screening blockbuster film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Arc Chapter One Akaza Returns. Ranking third is Natsuki Hanae, who voices the protagonist Tanjiro Kamado. Fourth place went to Mamoru Miyano, who played the Upper Rank demon Doma. Fifth place was claimed by Yuichi Nakamura for his role as Keizo in Akaza’s past arc. Sixth place went to Akira Ishida, who voiced Akaza himself. Seventh place was Hiro Shimono as Zenitsu Agatsuma, and eighth place was Tomokazu Sugita as Gyomei Himejima, despite his limited screen time.

Fans praised Hanae’s emotional performance, noting that Tanjiro’s pain and inner conflict could be felt through his voice alone. Shimono was praised for the contrast between Zenitsu’s frantic high pitched voice and his serious, cool toned delivery, particularly in the long awaited battle against Kaigaku.

Nakamura and Sugita were also noted for their popularity on YouTube, while Miyano continues to entertain audiences on variety shows with his humor and musical talent. Nakamura, in particular, drew widespread attention on social media this year due to his repeated posts about the lottery results for Nintendo’s new console, Nintendo Switch 2, which frequently trended online and kept his name in the public eye.

With many cast members from Demon Slayer ranking highly this year, attention now turns to whether Kenjiro Tsuda, whose media exposure has greatly increased, can maintain his top position next year. As it remains unclear whether a sequel to the Demon Slayer film will be released next year, the rankings may see significant changes, making the results of the next survey highly anticipated.

TOP 10

1st：Kenjiro Tsuda
2nd：Koichi Yamadera
3rd：Natsuki Hanae
4th：Mamoru Miyano
5th：Yuichi Nakamura
6th：Akira Ishida
7th：Hiro Shimono
8th：Tomokazu Sugita
9th：Subaru Kimura
10th：Kappei Yamaguchi

The survey targeted individuals primarily active in voice acting, including animation and dubbing, and collected responses from 1,000 men and women aged from their teens to their 50s nationwide.

Source : ORICON NEWS