Koji Yusa Confirmed as Voice Actor for Naoya Zenin in Latest 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Series

In the latest series of the popular anime Jujutsu Kaisen, it has been announced that Koji Yusa will be the voice actor for the character Naoya Zenin, a character many fans have been eagerly anticipating. Naoya Zenin is the son of Naobito Zenin, the 26th head of the Zenin family, and is the cousin of Maki and Mai. The announcement was made via the anime's official account as "New Cast Reveal," coinciding with the release of an official interview with Koji Yusa.

This announcement immediately garnered a massive reaction on social media. Many fans expressed their excitement, with comments such as, "I knew it would be Koji Yusa!", "It's hilarious how everyone unanimously thought it'd be Koji Yusa and it actually is!", and "Ever since reading the manga, I thought there was no one else but Koji Yusa who could voice Naoya-kun, so I'm incredibly happy it's really him~~~!!" These reactions clearly show that this was a highly anticipated casting choice by fans.

Notably, comments related to Naoya's character traits, such as "Is Koji Yusa really playing that rotten scumbag?" and "Does this mean Koji Yusa won the 'Rotten Scumbag Voice Actor Championship'?!", also surfaced, highlighting his broad acting range and particular skill in portraying eccentric characters. Furthermore, there's considerable anticipation for Naoya's Kyoto dialect, with fans saying, "Koji Yusa's Kyoto dialect? We get to hear his Kyoto dialect? Hey, come on!" and "There are certain nutrients you can only get from Koji Yusa's Kansai dialect."

On the other hand, some fans expressed concern over Yusa's extremely busy schedule, asking, "Isn't Koji Yusa too busy????" Others marveled at his versatility in distinguishing between past roles, commenting, "Koji Yusa played such a charming character like Stanley in Dr. STONE, but now he's a rotten scumbag in Jujutsu Kaisen—voice actors are truly amazing."

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is scheduled to begin broadcasting on January 8, 2026, and there is significant anticipation for how Koji Yusa's portrayal of Naoya Zenin will add depth to the series.

The context

Jujutsu Kaisen is a highly popular dark fantasy manga and anime series known for its intense action, complex characters, and intricate magic system. Naoya Zenin is a prominent antagonist introduced in the manga's Shibuya Incident arc and later plays a significant role in the Culling Game arc, particularly within the Zenin clan's storyline. He is notorious among fans for his arrogant, misogynistic personality and often cruel actions, leading to him being colloquially referred to as a "rotten scumbag" (ドブカス野郎, dobu kasu yarou). A distinctive trait of his character is his use of the Kyoto dialect (Kyōto-ben).

Koji Yusa is a veteran voice actor well-regarded in the Japanese anime industry. He is known for his versatile range, often lending his voice to charismatic villains, complex anti-heroes, and characters with unique or distinctive speaking patterns, including various regional dialects. His casting for Naoya Zenin is seen by fans as particularly fitting given Naoya's controversial character, sharp wit, and distinct Kyoto dialect, making Yusa a perfect choice to bring the character's divisive personality to life.