Kenjiro Tsuda Reigns Supreme in Oricon's First Male Voice Actor Poll

Kenjiro Tsuda, known for his diverse activities across various media, has claimed the top spot in Oricon's first-ever "Favorite Voice Actor Ranking (Male Category)." This ranking symbolizes not only Tsuda's widespread appeal as a voice actor but also the growing recognition among the general public and the re-evaluation of his acting prowess, particularly given his remarkable recent work as a live-action actor.

According to the ranking reported by Livedoor News, Kenjiro Tsuda was followed by Koichi Yamadera in second place and Natsuki Hanae in third. Other top-ranked voice actors included a mix of seasoned veterans and mid-career talents with both skill and popularity, such as Mamoru Miyano, Yuichi Nakamura, Akira Ishida, Hiro Shimono, and Tomokazu Sugita.

Tsuda's first-place win generated significant buzz on social media. Praises such as "A natural outcome," "He's truly a legendary voice actor," and "His impactful acting is superb" flooded in. His performance in this year's drama about the Sarin subway attack, along with his work in diverse projects like "Chi.," "Anpan," "Berabou," and "The Royal Family," are seen as major factors contributing to his widespread support.

On the other hand, various opinions circulated regarding this type of ranking. Some users speculated, "I think popular voice actors among non-otaku tend to rank higher in 'favorite voice actor' polls," or "This isn't a 'hardcore fan vote' but a survey of 1,000 people, including the general public." There were also comments questioning the ranking's intent and reliability, such as "I thought it was a 'voice actors we want to promote' ranking" or "Unreliable data." Fans of individual voice actors also voiced their thoughts, mentioning the absence of their favorites (e.g., Yuki Kaji, Takahiro Sakurai) and observations about the low number of younger voice actors.

Amidst calls for the ranking to "continue indefinitely," it can be said that this poll highlights not just the popularity of voice actors, but also the broad influence of the profession and the impact of media exposure on public recognition. While the male category was the focus this time, the mention of Saori Hayami in discussions about a potential female category also builds anticipation for future developments.

The context

In Japan, a "seiyuu" (voice actor) is a highly esteemed celebrity whose work extends far beyond merely voicing anime characters. Many seiyuu are prominent figures in various entertainment sectors, including live-action dramas, films, music, and radio. Oricon is a major Japanese statistical company that provides rankings for music, books, and other entertainment products, and their charts are widely regarded as authoritative indicators of popularity.

Kenjiro Tsuda is a veteran voice actor celebrated for his distinct deep voice and his ability to portray a wide range of characters, from cool and charismatic to villainous. In recent years, he has gained significant recognition for his live-action acting roles, which have brought him broader mainstream appeal beyond the traditional anime fandom. His top ranking in this Oricon poll, which included responses from the general public, underscores his crossover success and the expanding influence of voice actors in Japanese pop culture. The ranking also featured other highly respected names such as Koichi Yamadera, a legendary voice actor known for his incredible versatility, and Natsuki Hanae, a hugely popular voice actor from the younger generation, particularly famous for his role in "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba."