Anime Anime Global

September 8 is Seki Tomokazu-san’s birthday.

He debuted as a voice actor in the early 1990s. He is playing a role in various titles in 2021, including “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time” and “Jujutsu Kaisen”. It also became a hot topic that he played the role of the head of the investigation division 1 in Sakura no Tou.

To celebrate his birthday, we conducted an annual readers’ survey, “Who is your favorite character played by Seki Tomokazu-san?”. There were 283 votes during the survey period from August 24 to 31.
For the gender ratio, the females were the majority with about 70% while the males were about 30%. For the age distribution, we received the majority of responses from readers of young ages: about 35% were teens, about 25% were in their 20s, and about 25% were in their 30s.

■ Kogami Shinya from “Psycho-Pass” is topping the list with the tripled scores to 2nd place.

1st Place

1st place went to Kogami Shinya from “Psycho-Pass”. The support rating was about 30%, and he is topping the list for 3 years in a row.

The readers commented that he pulled off a character with different aspects, saying “Seki-san perfectly played a role of Kogami-san as a responsible police officer, although I thought he was a chaotic executive officer that took any measure to solve a case when he first appeared!”, “His voice is cool in that it conveys his attitude and belief towards justice”, and “Seki-san’s voice nicely conveys both his cool and rough vibes and kindness that he sometimes shows. I really like it”.
As this is a long-term series, you can find different attractions in each series, which is one of the reasons for him to gain popularity.

2nd Place

2nd place went to Gilgamesh from “Fate/stay night”. The support rating was about 9%, and he also ranked in 2nd place for 3 years in a row.

The readers seem to have been attracted by his charisma, saying “Among many characters played by Seki-san, he is the most dignified character with a strong presence. His cute aspect sometimes can be seen through Seki-san’s performance”, and “Each series shows a different side of Gilgamesh, which got me more and more in love with him”.

3rd Place

3rd place went to Domon Kasshu “Mobile Fighter G Gundam”. The support rating was about 8%, and he moved up from 4th place last year.

Many readers commented that they cannot forget the enthusiastic side of him in battles, saying “When it comes to Seki-san, Domon is the one. I especially get fascinated by his scream when he uses his special move”, “Domon has strength, kindness, and top of them, passion. I even feel that he is the character that was made for Seki-san’s voice. The scene, where he ardently confesses his love in a way that would echo throughout the universe, will continue to be handed down as long as the Gundam series exists”.

■Let’s introduce other comments!!

Shinazugawa Sanemi “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba”
“While he is so ferocious that he bears tremendous malice and intension to kill towards demons, he also has courtesy. His part has just begun, so I highly expect his appearance with the voice of Seki-san.”

Ishida Mitsunari “Sengoku Basara”
“He is so hot-blooded that people around him are afraid of him, he is an enthusiastic man that cares about Toyotomi more than anyone else. He is an attractive and solitary dark hero.”

The Yokai and animal characters have also got some votes.
Whisper “Yo-kai Watch♪”
“I like him being thoughtful about his master and diligent even though he has a know-it-all attitude and is always teased by. His rich reactions, played by Seki-san, are funny.”

Panda from “Jujutsu Kaisen”
“He is very attentive for a panda. He is the most sensible character in the Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School filled with weirdie.”
“I like his line ‘I am about to be hurt. I will get hurt!!'”

In the survey 2021, Panda from “Jujutsu Kaisen” newly ranked in. A variety of characters from protagonists, their buddies, and mascot characters have been voted.

■Ranking Top 20

[Who is your favorite character played by Seki Tomokazu-san?]
1. Kogami Shinya “Psycho-Pass”
2. Gilgamesh “Fate/stay night”
3. Domon Kasshu “Mobile Fighter G Gundam”
4. Shinazugawa Sanemi “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba”
5. Panda “Jujutsu Kaisen”
6. Honekawa Suneo “Doraemon”
7. Whisper “Yo-kai Watch♪”
7. Glenfire “Ultraman Zero: THE MOVIE Super Decisive Battle! Belial Galactic Empire”
9. Chiaki Shinichi “Nodame Cantabile”
10. Hashida Itaru “Steins;Gate”
11. Chichiri “Fushigi Yugi”
12. Mepple “Futari wa Pretty Cure”
13. Sagara Sousuke “Full Metal Panic!”
14. Yzak Joule “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED”
15. Akarenger “Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen” “The High School Heroes” etc.
16. Ishida Mitsunari “Sengoku Basara”
16. Kinomoto Touya “Cardcaptor Sakura”
16. Stahn Aileron “Tales of Destiny”
16. Takahashi Keisuke “Initial D”
20. Ken “Weiß Kreuz”
20. Soma Kyo “Fruits Basket” (2001)

(Survey Period: August 24 – 31, 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.