Famous Voice Actors from Japan

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List of notable or famous voice actors from Japan, with bios and photos, including the top voice actors born in Japan and even some popular voice actors who immigrated to Japan. You will also enjoy these pictures of voice actors who look like their characters and the best anime series of 2016. If you're trying to find out the names of famous Japanese voice actors then this list is the perfect resource for you. These voice actors are among the most prominent in their field, and information about each well-known voice actor from Japan is included when available.

This list of Japanese voice actors and actresses (known as seiyu or seiyuu) include Maaya Sakamoto, Kana Hanazawa, Mamoru Miyano, and more. You might not recognize their faces, but they voice your favorite anime characters! 

This historic voice actors from Japan list can help answer the questions "Who are some Japanese voice actors of note?" and "Who are the most famous voice actors from Japan?" These prominent voice actors of Japan may or may not be currently alive, but what they all have in common is that they're all respected Japanese voice actors.

Use this list of renowned Japanese voice actors to discover some new voice actors that you aren't familiar with. Don't forget to share this list by clicking one of the social media icons at the top or bottom of the page. 

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  • Koharu Kusumi
    • Birthplace: Washima, Niigata
    Koharu Kusumi (久住 小春, Kusumi Koharu, born July 15, 1992 in Niigata Prefecture) is a Japanese model, actress, television personality, singer, and former voice actress. In 2005, she became the only seventh generation member of the Japanese idol girl group Morning Musume, a part of Hello! Project. While Kusumi was in Morning Musume, she launched a solo singing and acting career as Kirari Tsukishima, the main character of the anime series Kirarin Revolution. In addition, she was featured in several musical releases affiliated with the series, including both solo releases under the name Kirari Tsukishima starring Koharu Kusumi (Morning Musume) (月島きらりstarring久住小春(モーニング娘。)) and group releases for the units Kira Pika and MilkyWay. After leaving Morning Musume in 2009, Kusumi pursued modeling, discussing her career changes in her 2011 autobiography, 17-sai no Tenshoku. After making her runway debut in 2011, she modeled exclusively for magazines CanCam and Steady, while also making regular appearances on variety shows, including Oha Suta. At the same time, Kusumi continued to perform at music events and took part in Dream Morning Musume. Kusumi also ventured into acting, appearing in shows such as Woman Prisoner 7 and Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon.
  • Masako Nozawa
    • Birthplace: Japan, Arakawa, Tokyo
    Masako Nozawa (野沢 雅子, Nozawa Masako, born October 25, 1936) is a Japanese actress and voice actress. Throughout her life, she has been affiliated with Production Baobab, 81 Produce and self-owned Office Nozawa; she is currently affiliated with Aoni Production. Her late husband, Masaaki Tsukada, was also a voice actor. She currently voices Goku in the popular anime franchise Dragon Ball, as well as all of Goku's male family relatives (except Raditz) and the villainous Goku Black. She has also voiced Tetsurō Hoshino (Galaxy Express 999) and Kitarō (GeGeGe no Kitarō, first and second series). In addition, she has also voiced two separate characters named "Hiroshi"; a character in Dokonjō Gaeru, and the characters known in the U.S. as "Pidge" and "Haggar" in Hyakujūō Golion. She also voiced Doraemon in the 1973 anime, replacing Kōsei Tomita, who voiced the character in the first 26 episodes. In the 1979 anime, she was replaced by Nobuyo Ōyama, however Masako voiced Doraemon again in a 1988 special entitled Early English with Doraemon for unknown reasons.
  • Kana Hanazawa

    Kana Hanazawa

    Age: 34
    • Birthplace: Japan, Tokyo
    Kana Hanazawa (花澤 香菜, Hanazawa Kana, born February 25, 1989) is a Japanese voice actress and singer represented by the Office Osawa talent agency. She is known for voice acting leading roles for a number of anime television series and other anime-related media in Japan, including Nadeko Sengoku in Monogatari, Anri Sonohara in Durarara!!, Angel / Kanade Tachibana in Angel Beats!, Kuroneko / Ruri Gokō in Oreimo, Mayuri Shiina in Steins;Gate, Akane Tsunemori in Psycho-Pass, Natsume Tsuchimikado in Tokyo Ravens, Kosaki Onodera in Nisekoi, Rize Kamishiro in Tokyo Ghoul, Hinata Kawamoto in March Comes in Like a Lion, Shirase Kobuchizawa in A Place Further than the Universe, and Ichika Nakano in The Quintessential Quintuplets. Her debut single, "Hoshizora Destination" (星空☆ディスティネーション), was released on April 25, 2012 under the Aniplex/Sony Music Entertainment Japan label.
  • Eimei Esumi

    Eimei Esumi

    Dec. at 68 (1935-2004)
    • Birthplace: Japan, Shimane Prefecture
    Hideaki Esumi was an actor.
  • Megumi Hayashibara
    • Birthplace: Kita, Tokyo, Japan
    Megumi Hayashibara (林原 めぐみ, Hayashibara Megumi, born March 30, 1967) is a Japanese voice actress, singer, lyricist and radio personality. She is affiliated with Woodpark Office. She played Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ai Haibara in Detective Conan and Jessie in Pokémon.
  • Mamoru Miyano
    • Birthplace: Ōmiya, Saitama
    Mamoru Miyano (宮野 真守, Miyano Mamoru, born June 8, 1983) is a Japanese actor, voice actor and singer from Saitama Prefecture. He is best known for his roles on Steins;Gate, Durarara!!, Death Note, Soul Eater, Wolf's Rain, Ouran High School Host Club, Ajin: Demi-Human, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Tokyo Ghoul, Free!, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Hunter x Hunter, Chihayafuru, Bungo Stray Dogs, Uta no Prince-sama and Zombieland Saga. At the 2007 Seiyuu Awards he was nominated for two awards for his role as Light Yagami in Death Note and in 2008, he won the "Best Voice Actor" award at the 2008 Tokyo International Anime Fair. At the 2008 Seiyuu Awards, Miyano won "Best Lead Actor Award" for his role as Setsuna F. Seiei in Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and as Hakugen Rikuson in Kōtetsu Sangokushi. Miyano began his career as a musician in 2007. He released his debut single, "Kuon" (久遠, lit. Eternity), in May on the King Records label. In March 2009, his debut album Break was released.