One Piece: 8 Popular Anime You’ve Heard Buggy’s Voice In

In the realm of humorous characters within “One Piece,” there’s a strong argument that Buggy the Clown takes the crown. His flamboyant demeanor and knack for turning failures into successes make him an audience favorite, a status solidified by Shigeru Chiba’s exceptional portrayal in the Japanese version of the anime, without which his popularity might not have soared as high as it has today.

This renowned voice actor boasts an impressive half-century career in the industry, consistently delivering top-notch performances even to this day. Although many recognize him from the anime series “One Piece,” his repertoire spans beyond that into numerous other popular anime productions. Here are eight of his most outstanding roles throughout his career thus far.

Kazuma Kuwabara In Yu Yu Hakusho

A Feisty Delinquent With A Heart Of Gold

Currently, Shigeru Chiba is frequently cast in roles as elderly and grumpy men because of his age, but in the 80s and 90s, he was typically chosen for younger characters. One of his most memorable roles from this period is Kazuma Kuwabara from the popular series “Yu Yu Hakusho“.

In a refreshing and memorable portrayal, Chiba lends his gravelly, unique tone to Kuwabara, a cherished adversary character. Initially, he may appear brash or unintelligent, but as the story unfolds, it’s revealed that he possesses an unexpected level of strength, compassion, and honor. Chiba’s interpretation of Kuwabara has served as a benchmark in the action shōnen genre, with performances like Wataru Takagi’s portrayal of Okuyasu Nijimura in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure following suit.

Yoshihiro Kira In JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable

A Sadistic And Villainous Old Man

As an observer, I found myself delighted to learn that Shigeru Chiba was cast for a voice role in the 2016 adaptation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s fourth part, Diamond Is Unbreakable. In this intriguing series, he lent his voice to Yoshihiro Kira, the father of the main antagonist, Yoshikage Kira. This character, unfortunately, is one of the most detestable in the series due to his repeated acts of enabling and fostering his son’s violent and supernatural criminal activities as a serial killer.

Chiba’s “old man voice” fit perfectly for Yoshihiro, as he skillfully portrayed him as slippery and pitiable, even if it made Chiba seem a bit less charismatic than usual. Despite being a minor role, Chiba’s performance was so noteworthy that it left a lasting impression on fans of the series.

In this paraphrase, I’ve tried to maintain the original meaning while using clearer and more conversational language. The emphasis on Chiba’s skill in portraying the character has been emphasized, along with the impact his performance had on the series’ fans.

Jigoro Kuwajima In Demon Slayer

Zenitsu’s Kind And Gentle (Albeit Impatient) Mentor

Despite having worked on multiple acclaimed action shonen series for several decades, Shigeru Chiba continues to deliver exceptional performances to this very day. His role as Jigoro Kuwajima, the reluctant mentor and former Thunder Hashira in Demon Slayer, is a notable example of his ongoing high-quality work.

In his character as Jigoro, he often provides comedic relief, sharing humorous and exaggerated moments with Zenitsu. Yet, he’s not just a source of laughter; he’s also a crucial figure in the story. He instructed the young demon slayer on Thunder Breathing and continually inspired him to grow stronger despite his limited knowledge of techniques. Chiba masterfully transitions between these contrasting aspects of Jigoro, resulting in a compelling and multi-layered portrayal that sticks with viewers.

Wasuke Itadori And Jogo In Jujutsu Kaisen

Two Completely Different Characters, Voiced By The Same Actor

In addition to Demon Slayer, Shigeru Chiba has also contributed significantly to other contemporary action shonen series, such as Jujutsu Kaisen. Notably, he lent his voice to Wasuke Itadori, Yuji Itadori’s grandfather, in the first episode. His portrayal of a frail, gentle, and slightly grumpy character added depth to his emotional final scene with his grandson.

Chiba’s portrayal of the powerful cursed spirit, Jogo, in “Jujutsu Kaisen” is particularly notable among fans. This role marks a significant departure from his previous character, Wasuke. Chiba’s versatility as a voice actor is evident in this shift, demonstrating his ability to handle diverse and contrasting roles. Jogo is known for his boisterous, villainous, and arrogant demeanor, which sometimes elevates his voice to a high-pitched level, reminiscent of Buggy the Clown from classic anime to seasoned fans.

Don Kanonji In Bleach

A Goofy But Respectable Comic Relief

According to his grave marker, Buggy the Clown is inherently a showman, and his voice captures just the right amount of silliness and exaggeration. This zest for drama transferred over when he voiced Don Kanonji in the animated version of Bleach.

In a realm teeming with Hollows, Soul Reapers, and other extraordinary creatures, Kanonji is a chat show host with modest spiritual abilities. Despite his flamboyant persona and craving for the limelight, he’s genuinely kind-hearted and aiming to assist others. Not surprisingly, Chiba delivers this lovable, laugh-out-loud character superbly, making his iconic laugh (Bwahahaha!) a cherished sound bite among anime enthusiasts.

Sebas Tian In Overlord

One Of The Most Serious Performances Of His Career

Although Shigeru Chiba is often known for his comedic and villainous roles, where he excels remarkably, he also demonstrates a knack for voicing more mature and serious characters. This talent was evident when he landed the role of Sebas Tian in the series Overlord, showcasing a different side to his versatile acting abilities.

The old gentleman portrayed here is exceptionally patient, honorable, and courageous, and Chiba has brilliantly breathed life into this character using a softer, deeper voice that leaves one in awe. It’s truly astounding to realize that Sebas Tian, who exhibits such an extraordinary performance, shares the same voice actor with characters like Buggy the Clown and Don Kanonji, known for their more comical and eccentric roles.

Chidaruma In Dorohedoro

A Mischievous Demon That’s Much More Powerful Than It May Seem

It’s clear that Chiba has a unique voice quality – raspy and high-pitched – which fits surprisingly well for roles portraying monstrous or inhuman characters. In 2020, he demonstrated this talent excellently by voicing the character Chidaruma in the animated adaptation of Dorohedoro.

In a peculiar and dreamlike fashion, this anime boasts an array of eccentric characters, with Chidaruma being no exception to this rule. Portrayed as an omnipotent devil, he finds amusement in tormenting others simply out of boredom, which creates a striking contrast with his menacing and frightening appearance. Yet, despite his daunting image, Chiba’s voice acting shines brightly, effortlessly transitioning between goofy and ominous tones from one moment to the next.

Pilaf And Raditz In Dragon Ball

The Legendary Anime That Put Him On The Map

Nowadays, Shigeru Chiba is often recognized for his role as Buggy in One Piece, but it’s important to note that he had previously collaborated with Toei Animation numerous times. Notably, this studio was responsible for animating Dragon Ball in the 80s – a show which significantly boosted his career. The characters he voiced in this series served as a foundation for the vast array of roles he would take on later in his acting career.

Initially, Shigeru Chiba gave life to the character Pilaf, a comical yet weak villain in the original Dragon Ball series, known for his high-pitched and loud voice that echoes his work as Buggy. Conversely, there’s Raditz, Goku’s older brother from Dragon Ball Z, who is powerful, violent, and dangerous, presenting a genuine threat to our heroes. Despite their contrasting roles, these distinct Dragon Ball antagonists were both voiced by Chiba, showcasing his exceptional talent as one of the most gifted voice actors in the anime industry.

2025-08-28 17:35