One Piece: Popular Anime You've Heard Usopps Voice In

Key Takeaways

Yamaguchi’s portrayal of Usopp in One Piece made him iconic in the world of anime.
He showcased an impressive vocal range in multiple roles, such as Inuyasha and Ranma Saotome.
Yamaguchi excels at voicing diverse characters, from comedic to villainous, across various anime series.

As a die-hard anime fan who has grown up with these iconic characters, I can confidently say that Kappei Yamaguchi is nothing short of extraordinary. His ability to breathe life into such diverse and captivating characters is truly remarkable.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but acknowledge the significant role “Usopp,” the fearless yet comical sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates in “One Piece,” plays in making this main pirate crew so iconic and endearing. It’s hard to imagine Usopp being as memorable without the exceptional voice acting by none other than Kappei Yamaguchi, who has brought him to life for an impressive 25 years!

Among Japanese voice actors, he is often overlooked yet immensely talented, as his versatility may not always be recognized due to being primarily linked to lovable, gentle characters like Usopp. However, before One Piece even debuted, he had already demonstrated his remarkable vocal prowess on multiple occasions. Among numerous roles, here are eight standout performances that showcase Yamaguchi’s exceptional talent throughout his career.

8 Ranma Saotome

In Ranma ½

One Piece: Popular Anime You've Heard Usopps Voice In

Despite primarily lending his voice to supporting characters and villains, Kappei Yamaguchi has also shone in numerous classic anime series, most notably as Ranma Saotome, the lead character from the popular show Ranma ½. It’s worth noting that while he voices the male version of the title character, the female version is brought to life by the renowned voice actress, Megumi Hayashibara. This fact might be unknown to some viewers.

Yamaguchi consistently shines at portraying cheerful characters with a strong-willed and resolute demeanor, making his depiction of Ranma endearing yet flawed. Notably, he reprised the role in the recent remake of Ranma ½ , maintaining the same level of excellence as he did three and a half decades ago.

7 Shinichi Kudo & Kaitou Kid

In Case Closed/Detective Conan

Kappei Yamaguchi lends his voice to Shinichi Kudo, the lead character from “Case Closed/Detective Conan”. Interestingly, many fans might overlook this as Yamaguchi mainly voices Shinichi during his teenage years, while Minami Takayama voices him when he’s in a shrunken state. However, it’s regrettable that Yamaguchi’s youthful voice, which matches the character of this brilliant young detective so well, is not given more recognition by fans.

It appears that TMS Entertainment recognized the underutilization of Yamaguchi’s talents by not casting him as the main character frequently, so they also assigned him the role of Kaitou Kid, the lead character in the anime Magic Kaito, a series penned by Gosho Aoyama. This move is likely strategic, considering the physical resemblance between Shinichi and Kaitou, but Yamaguchi effectively distinguished their voices when needed to avoid confusion.

6 Inuyasha

In Inuyasha

Indeed, Kappei Yamaguchi was undeniably a leading figure in the Japanese entertainment industry throughout the 90s and 2000s, due to his numerous portrayals of iconic main characters. Specifically, he lent his voice to the title character in the popular series Inuyasha, which remains one of his most notable and memorable performances.

As a gamer diving into another world, I’ve got to say, Inuyasha is quite distinct from his past characters, such as Usopp or Shinichi Kudo. This half-demon isn’t just stubborn and arrogant, he’s downright ruthless, but there’s a tender side to him that occasionally peeks through. And let’s not forget the hilarious comedic moments tied to his dog-like characteristics! It’

5 Rhint Celonias

In Cowboy Bebop

Kappei Yamaguchi consistently shines in roles as sidekicks and main characters, yet what truly sets him apart is his ability to convincingly portray brief, one-time characters. A prime demonstration of his exceptional skill can be found in the series Cowboy Bebop, where he voiced the character Rhint Celonias in episode 10, titled Ganymede Elegy.

Despite not being the main character in this episode centered around Jet Black, Celonias stands out distinctly from Yamaguchi’s other roles due to his aggressive, impulsive, and jittery nature. However, a sweet innocence emerges through his high-pitched voice, showing that he can handle more serious roles as well. This is just one example of Kappei Yamaguchi’s versatility in acting.

4 Feitan Portor

Hunter X Hunter (2011)

Enhancing an already formidable vocal repertoire, Kappei Yamaguchi has demonstrated versatility by convincingly voicing antagonists too. One of his standout performances is that of Feitan Portor, a member of the Phantom Troupe, in the 2011 adaptation of Hunter x Hunter. This role remains one of his most memorable to date.

In a surprising twist, Feitan’s character is distinct from more light-hearted roles like Usopp or Inuyasha, as he embodies a cold, calculating criminal capable of torture, yet he consistently gives the impression of being weary and disenchanted with everything and everyone. However, during combat (which isn’t frequent), Feitan reveals an alarmingly ruthless and intimidating side. Yamaguchi masterfully combined these contrasting traits, resulting in one of his most impressive vocal performances to date.

3 Kechizu

In Jujutsu Kaisen

It might seem surprising, but Kappei Yamaguchi possesses an exceptional, high-toned voice that he can tailor to any character he’s given. This trait proves particularly effective for odd or monster roles. It is probably due to this versatility that he was selected to play Kechizu, one of the Cursed Womb brothers in Jujutsu Kaisen.

It’s unfortunate that MAPPA applied a filter to his performance, as Yamaguchi skillfully portrayed Kechizu in such a way that he seemed genuinely creepy. This aligns perfectly with his unsettling appearance and devastating Cursed Technique. Yet, Yamaguchi also successfully conveyed a childish and tragic aspect of Kechizu, which was particularly evident during his emotional final scenes.

2 Forever, Shigekiyo Yangu & Yo-Yo Ma

In Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

As a dedicated anime enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself in the captivating world of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and let me tell you, it’s one of those series that leaves an indelible mark on the shōnen genre. Kappei Yamaguchi, a voice actor extraordinaire, graced not just one, but three iconic characters within this universe!

But Yamaguchi’s best Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure role can be found in Diamond is Unbreakable, in which he voiced Shigekiyo Yangu AKA Shigechi. This weird looking young boy constantly shifts his personality, as he starts off as innocent and childish, later becomes greedy and violent and ends up becoming unexpectedly brave and honorable, and yet his voice never falters. The scene of Shigechi’s tragic death at the hands of Yoshikage Kira still stands out as one of the saddest moments in the entire show, and it would have never gained this reputation if it wasn’t for Yamaguchi’s heartbreaking performance.

1 L Lawliet

In Death Note

Absolutely! It’s fascinating to know that Kappei Yamaguchi, a renowned Japanese voice actor, lends his talent to both Usopp from One Piece and L from Death Note. This is one of those delightful tidbits about anime that fans love to swap, as it showcases the versatility and skill of this talented artist. Usopp and L, though starkly different characters, have been given life by Yamaguchi’s iconic voice and his impressive range.

It’s hardly surprising that L is widely adored, given his intelligence, composure, and unique charm. He’s a captivating figure with numerous intricacies, making him a character that requires an exceptionally skilled voice actor to bring to life. And in this case, Yamaguchi was the ideal choice for the role. L is arguably the most distinctive character he’s ever voiced and one of his finest performances, perhaps second only to Usopp among all his roles throughout his career.

2024-11-17 03:24

One Piece: Popular Anime You’ve Heard Usopps Voice In