Demon Slayer: Popular Anime You’ve Heard Zenitsu’s Voice In

Summary

Hiro Shimono, the voice of Zenitsu in Demon Slayer, has voiced other iconic characters like Connie in Attack on Titan.
From One Piece to My Hero Academia, Shimono’s range is evident in his performances, like in his work as Dabi in MHA.
The versatility of Shimono also shines in minor roles, like Guccio in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Piers in Pokemon Journeys.

Zenitsu Agatsuma stands out uniquely among Demon Slayer’s characters, earning widespread admiration. A significant part of his popularity can be attributed to Hiro Shimono’s exceptional voice acting abilities. He effortlessly switches between a boisterous and irritating delivery in comedic moments, to a sober and restrained performance during action sequences.

It’s hardly unexpected that Hiro Shimono is incredibly skilled, given his extensive experience in the anime industry spanning more than two decades. Consequently, he has played significant roles in some of the most widely acclaimed series. Indeed, you might be surprised to learn that the voice behind Zenitsu from Demon Slayer lends his talents to numerous other cherished anime characters. Here are some highlights of Shimono’s remarkable career.

Connie Springer in Attack on Titan

Comic Relief With Hidden Depth

Before the airing of “Attack on Titan”, Hiro Shimono had already been an active participant in the industry for nearly a decade. However, it was undoubtedly his role as Connie Springer that catapulted him to prominence. As one of the more light-hearted members of the Survey Corps, Shimono’s distinctive voice gave Connie a unique comic flair, making him particularly memorable during the show’s rare humorous moments.

In contrast, the anime “Attack on Titan” is quite a somber production, leading Connie to be part of some of its most poignant and emotional sequences, primarily in the last season. During these heartrending instances, Shimono had the opportunity to showcase his exceptional talent for dramatic acting. The scenes featuring Connie’s Titan mother stand out, demonstrating that he is a remarkable voice actor indeed.

Kouzuki Momonosuke (Adult) in One Piece

A Performance With Incredible Nuance

Because Hiro Shimono is a renowned voice actor and One Piece is widely adored as an anime, many anime enthusiasts had been eagerly waiting for him to secure a role in Toei Animation’s adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s original manga. This wish came true in 2023 when he was appointed to voice the grown-up version of Kouzuki Momonosuke during the culmination of the Wano Country Arc.

Shimono’s portrayal of Momonosuke required capturing a sense of childlike curiosity given his unique status as an adult in a child’s body. He excelled in this, ensuring Momonosuke’s voice was spot-on, a remarkable feat considering he often voiced the character as a motionless dragon during conversations. However, when Momonosuke’s human form was unveiled at the end of the arc, Shimono switched to a more serious performance, projecting an air of heroism and respect befitting his role. Remarkably, he managed to maintain the innocent charm of the character that endeared him to us from the start.

Guccio in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean

A Small But Important Role

In the renowned action series, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Hiro Shimono lent his voice to an extraordinary character, albeit a minor one. In the sixth installment, Stone Ocean, he voiced Guccio, the Stand user whose abilities were crucial for Jolyne, Anasui, and FF to locate in order to disable the dangerous function of the Stand that triggered violent behavior.

Guccio is portrayed as an unusual, frail, and timid villain who doesn’t elicit audience empathy. Shimono’s quivering voice effectively captures this trait. Interestingly, this role bears some resemblance to his performance as Zenitsu, but without the heroic and cool aspects that make Zenitsu genuinely likable.

Nacht Faust in Black Clover

A Different Role For Shimono

I’ve always had a knack for bringing life to iconic characters in blockbuster action shonen series, and that talent ultimately landed me the role of Nacht Faust in Black Clover! Once more, I got to demonstrate my range as an actor. What makes this character intriguing is that he’s calm, intelligent, and logical – a stark contrast from some of my other roles such as Zenitsu or Connie. It’s always exciting to step into new shoes!

In a more natural and easy-to-understand way: Shimono’s acting meshes wonderfully with the voice actor behind Gimodelo, Nacht Faust’s small demon sidekick in Black Clover. The character’s appealing design, engaging personality, and magical powers have made Nacht Faust a beloved figure among fans, and it’s likely that Shimono’s exceptional performance has played a significant role in this popularity.

Piers in Pokemon

A Minor But Beloved Character

In the eighth series of the Pokemon franchise, the Gym Leader named Piers from Paldea has become a beloved character among fans. When it was announced that Hiro Shimono would voice him in the animated adaptation, many were thrilled. Unlike some of Shimono’s other iconic roles, Piers is a composed and pessimistic character, and he skillfully portrayed these traits through his acting.

In the series “Pokémon Journeys,” I found myself roaring with laughter at the humorous motorcycle scenes, where Piers portrayed both the sternness and slowness perfectly. His charming relationship with Marnie added to the delightful mix, and it was Shimono’s acting that really brought these elements to life. Despite only appearing in a few episodes, Piers stood out as one of the most memorable characters in the show.

Scott Pilgrim in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

A Familiar Character

The main focus of promoting Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was on the original cast members reprising their characters from the 2010 film. Although Michael Cera delivered a decent performance as Scott Pilgrim, it’s clear that he prefers live-action roles, and some might argue that Hiro Shimono did a better job in the Japanese dub of the show.

It was smartly done by Science SARU to choose the voice actor of Zenitsu Agatsuma, who also voices another pitiful womanizer character, as it allowed him to showcase his versatility in overcoming a character’s flaws. In fact, Shimono’s delivery and tone were ideal for both the serious and comical parts of this complex character. Interestingly, prior to the release of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off on Netflix, Shimono had already lent his voice to Michael Cera’s character in the Japanese dub of the Barbie movie, creating a sort of full-circle moment in his career.

Dabi in My Hero Academia

Shows Off Incredible Acting Range

Hiro Shimono has consistently demonstrated his remarkable adaptability throughout his professional journey, but it was particularly apparent when he landed the role of Dabi in My Hero Academia. Fans of anime are still in awe that this voice actor behind a merciless and ferocious supervillain also voices characters like Zenitsu and Connie Springer. The stark contrast in his acting is truly astounding.

Dabi, a character from “My Hero Academia,” is known for his violent and cruel nature due to a deep-rooted grudge against his father, Endeavor, who is the top hero in their world. This conflict has led to some of the most intense and emotional scenes throughout the series. Hiro Shimono, Dabi’s voice actor, has delivered an outstanding performance, but the scene where he unveils his true identity as Toya Todoroki and exposes Endeavor’s abusive past stands out as a career highlight for Shimono. Interestingly enough, Zenitsu from “Demon Slayer” and Dabi are voiced by the same talented Japanese actor in both series.

2025-08-03 12:05