Anime Anime Global

May 5 is Koyasu Takehito-san’s birthday.

Koyasu Takehito-san made his debut as a voice actor in the late 1980s. He has been playing protagonists and rivals, and won Best Actor in a Supporting Role in The 15th Seiyu Awards.
In 2021, he is playing in various media, including TV and films such as “SK8 the Infinity”, “SHAMAN KING”, “Gintama: The Movie: The Final”, and “Knights of Sidonia: Ai Tsumugu Hoshi”.

To celebrate his birthday, Anime!Anime! conducted a reader survey titled ‘Who is your favorite character voiced by Koyasu Takehito ?’. During the survey period from April 23 to 30, a total of 347 responses were received. For the gender ratio, the females were the majority with about 75% while the males were about 25%. For the age distribution, we received the majority of responses from readers of younger ages: about 40% were from minors, and 30% were in their twenties.

■Takasugi Shinsuke “Gintama” topped the list for three years in a row!
1st place
1st place went to Takasugi Shinsuke “Gintama”. The support rating was about 12 %.

The character played an active role in the film “Gintama: The Movie: The Final”, which was released in 2021. The readers’ comments were, ‘I know how the story develops as I read the original comic, but I couldn’t help crying because of Koyasu-san’s acting’, ‘I was crying without any exaggeration to see his interaction with Gintoki in the film’, and ‘Koyasu-san will be the only one who can play Takasugi-san’s fascinating and passionate aspects in such an attractive way’.
The character, who has been attracting a lot of fans for years topped the list.

2nd place
2nd place went to Dio Brando “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” for two years in a row. The support rating was about 7 %.
The readers admire him using the word “charismatic”, saying ‘Koyasu-san perfectly played such a charismatic villain. I especially liked the repeated “Muda, Muda, Muda (lit. Useless, Useless, Useless)”‘, and ‘He is the biggest enemy in the series, but is full of charisma. The line “I’m done with mankind! JOJO!!” is still stuck in my head.’

3rd place
3rd place went to Claudia Hodgins “Violet Evergarden”. The support rating was about 5 %, and he got a higher position than last year, which was s tie for 10th place .

Claudia Hodgins is former army, and the current president of the CH Postal Company. He is taking care of the protagonist Violet, who only knows the war. The comments received were, ‘He is taking care of Violet, and gives his advice even though he sometimes raises his voice. He is a really attractive adult’, and ‘I was moved by the scene where he is watching over Violet with mixed feelings and where he shouts in the film’. A lot of readers mentioned the film released in 2020.

■Let’s introduce other comments!!
Roswaal L. Mathers “Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World”
‘His habit of drawing out the end of words is still stuck in my head.’
‘He speaks in a bizarre way, but it is natural for some reason.’
Snufkin “Moomin”
‘I still remember his gentle and cute tone of voice.’
‘I like his interaction with Moomin played by Takayama Minami. Both Takayama-san and Koyasu-san were born on May 5, which must be destiny.’

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo “Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo”
‘Bo-bobo has a unique figure and personality, but Koyasu-san perfectly plays him whether he is acting silly or seriously. The original comic’s serialization 20th commemorating anniversary and the collaboration with “Granblue Fantasy” have been held recently, but Bo-bobo was still there as he was back then.’

Adam “SK8 the Infinity”
‘From his appearance, I was pretty sure that Koyasu-san would be perfect for him. I was surprised by various scenes, and moved by that scene in the final episode.’ Some readers also voted for the Winter 2021 anime.

In the survey in 2021, the characters from the latest titles have got high positions while the familiar characters occupied the highest positions. Overall, characters from a wide range of titles were ranked, which shows Koyasu-san have been playing various roles for years.

■Ranking Top 20
Who is your most favorite character voiced by Koyasu Takehito ? 2021
1. Takasugi Shinsuke “Gintama”
2. Dio Brando “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”
3. Claudia Hodgins “Violet Evergarden”
4. Kururu “Sgt. Frog”
5. Roswaal L. Mathers “Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World”
6. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo “Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo”
7. Adam “SK8 the Infinity”
8. Nogami Neuro “Neuro: Supernatural Detective”
9. Aya “Weiß Kreuz”
9. Zechs Merquise “Mobile Suit Gundam Wing”
9. Mu La Flaga “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED”
12. Zeke Yeager “Attack on Titan”
12. Takahashi Ryosuke “Initial D”
12. Benno “Ascendance of a Bookworm”
15. Snufkin “Moomin”
15. Himuro Reiichi “Tokimeki Memorial: Girl’s Side”
15. Honda Shigeharu “Major”
18. Olivie “Angelique”
18. Kuzan “One Piece”
18. Jade Curtiss “Tales of the Abyss”
18. Hotohori “Fushigi Yugi”
18. Zazel / Nurarihyon “Yo-kai Watch”

（Survey Period: April 23 – 30, 2021)

*This survey is intended to research the readers’ “interest in anime and characters today”. It is not intended to discuss the relative merits of each character nor work. I would be glad if this article can help you develop an understanding and interest in the anime and characters.