One Piece: Popular Anime You've Heard Sanji’s Voice In

Key Takeaways

Hiroaki Hirata, known for voicing Sanji in One Piece, has showcased an impressive vocal range in various roles.
His performances as Genma, Leomon, and Godot highlight his versatility and his talent.
Hirata’s portrayal of Mutta Nanba and Wild Tiger proves his unexpected ability to excel in main character roles.

As a devoted fan of anime, I must say that Hiroaki Hirata has truly outdone himself with his exceptional voice acting performances throughout his career. From the suave and cool Sanji to the complex and likable Mutta Nanba, it’s evident that Hirata has a knack for breathing life into diverse characters that captivate audiences worldwide.

In the world of anime and manga, One Piece houses some truly unforgettable and distinctive main characters. Among these, Vinsmoke Sanji from the Straw Hat Pirates is particularly renowned. This character, a humorous yet honorable and captivating figure, stands out in numerous ways, one such way being his gravelly voice, which is none other than the talented Hiroaki Hirata’s voice.

Hiroaki Hirata is a well-established Japanese voice artist with almost three decades in the anime sector. This extensive career has provided him ample opportunities to exhibit his versatile vocal abilities, often playing characters distinct from Sanji. Here are eight standout roles that demonstrate Hirata’s exceptional talent.

8 Genma Shiranui

In Naruto & Naruto Shippuden

One Piece: Popular Anime You've Heard Sanji’s Voice In

Despite being frequently labeled as “competitive series”, it’s worth noting that numerous skilled voice actors have voiced characters in both One Piece and Naruto. Hiroaki Hirata is no exception to this trend, as he provided the voice for Genma Shiranui, a jonin who serves at the Hidden Leaf Village.

This is clearly a more subdued role for Hirata, as Genma is more calm and collected than Sanji and most of his other characters. Nevertheless, his solid performance and deep voice helped Genma stand out as one of the most memorable background characters in all of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.

7 Leomon (And Others)

In Digimon Adventure

The anime series “Digimon Adventure,” created by Toei Animation, is second only to “Dragon Ball” and “One Piece” in terms of iconic status. Voice actors at large Japanese studios often work on multiple projects, and Hiroaki Hirata has been a part of this show since its beginning, with his best-known character being Leomon.

He skillfully conveys a great deal of kindness and charm in his role as the “King of Beasts”, maintaining its feared and intimidating qualities at the same time. This remarkable portrayal isn’t his only character in “Digimon Adventure”; he also lends his voice to Megadramon, Hagurumon, Hiroaki Ishida, and even the narrator himself.

6 Klein / Tsuboi Ryōtarō

In Sword Art Online

Hiroaki Hirata frequently focuses on portraying two distinct character types: formidable and menacing fighters, or warm and friendly individuals. Leveraging his unique talent, he brought to life one of the most beloved characters in Sword Art Online – Tsuboi Ryōtarō, who is also known as Klein.

As a devoted fan, I’d say Klein was the first genuine friend Kirito ever met in the original Sword Art Online, and he even took the time to teach him the game basics. On the flip side, Klein is quite the charmer with the ladies – a trait that probably felt familiar to Hirata, given his work as Sanji’s voice actor for so long. It’s thanks to Hirata’s exceptional performance that Klein has become the beloved character he is today among fans.

5 Terada Tatsugorō

In Gintama

Kazuya Nakai, the voice actor for Roronoa Zoro in “One Piece,” also played Toushirou Hijikata in the animated series “Gintama.” However, it’s worth noting that Kazuya isn’t the only well-known “One Piece” talent who worked on Sunrise’s adaptation of Hideaki Sorachi’s manga. In fact, Hiroaki Hirata took on a character with a more tragic backstory: Terada Tatsugorō.

For the second time, Hirata demonstrates his exceptional skill at creating compassionate yet firm and stylish characters, as Terada served as a policeman safeguarding the Kabuki District, and presented an engaging rivalry with Doromizu Jirocho, before meeting an unfortunate end. Although Terada isn’t the most well-known character in Gintama, he undeniably stands out as one of the most impactful ones, owing in part to Hirata’s exceptional acting prowess.

4 Godot

In Ace Attorney

Release Date: April 2, 2016
Genre(s): Drama, Mystery
Studio: A-1 Pictures, CloverWorks
Streaming Service(s): Crunchyroll

There’s no denying that Godot is one of the most popular characters in the entire Ace Attorney franchise. So, when it was time for this iconic game series to be adapted into an anime, he had the honor of being voiced by the great Hiroaki Hirata, who was an absolutely perfect fit for this role.

Godot is a smooth and self-assured lawyer who, in several aspects, bears resemblance to Sanji. It might seem unusual, yet Hirata’s gravelly voice matches him quite well. Initially, Godot was already popular as an Ace Attorney character, but Hirata’s captivating performance in the anime version undeniably increased his appeal among anime enthusiasts.

3 Mutta Nanba

In Space Brothers

Hiroaki Hirata is primarily recognized for playing sophisticated and calm supporting roles, such as Sanji or Godot. However, he possesses the ability to take on leading roles in a series as well. In fact, he has accomplished this frequently, with one of his most notable performances being Mutta Nanba from Space Brothers.

In the role of one of the main characters called “Space Brothers,” Mutta Nanba stands out as a multi-layered personality that showcases Hirata’s exceptional voice acting abilities. He’s composed and thoughtful, incredibly intelligent, deeply concerned for his sibling Hibito, and generally quite endearing. This performance is arguably the finest work in Hirata’s entire career.

2 Kotetsu T. Kaburagi / Wild Tiger

In Tiger & Bunny

One well-known anime character voiced by Hiroaki Hirata is none other than Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, or Wild Tiger, one of the principal characters from the series “Tiger & Bunny.” Given that Kotetsu bears a strong resemblance to his most iconic role, Sanji, it’s not too surprising.

In another notable role, Hirata showcased his remarkable versatility, excelling at portraying characters who embody heroism and selflessness, yet are also humorously obstinate. To conclude, the characters Wild Tiger and Mutta Nanba from “Space Brothers” serve as clear evidence that Hirata should be given more opportunities to voice main characters in anime productions.

1 Rikiya Yotsubashi / Re-Destro

In My Hero Academia

I’ve always been known for my roles as the friendly, noble heroes in various games and shows, a fact that’s no secret. So when I was cast as Re-Destro in Season 5 of My Hero Academia, it came as quite a surprise. But let me tell you, this villain was a challenge I gladly accepted! With one stunning portrayal, I effortlessly switched between Re-Destro’s charming CEO persona and his ruthless, power-hungry self. It was a thrill to bring such a complex character to life.

As a devoted fan, I must say that at first, Sanji’s voice seemed to blend somewhat with Re-Destro’s lines, but Hirata’s outstanding performance eventually gave him a unique identity, distinct from all his other characters. Interestingly enough, Season 5 of My Hero Academia introduced Flect Turn, the main villain in the film World Heroes’ Mission, who was voiced by none other than Kazuya Nakai. This means that both Sanji and Zoro lent their voices to villains in the same show around the same time.

2024-11-28 13:34

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