Taking Over Franky’s Role: Who Will It Be?
Since Kazuki Yao stepped down as the voice of Franky in the beloved anime series One Piece, fans have been on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting news of his successor. The moment of suspense came to a thrilling conclusion at Jump Festa 2024, where Yao’s replacement was finally unveiled. This announcement has sparked a wave of curiosity among fans who are eager to learn more about the new voice behind Franky in One Piece.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of everything we’ve discovered about the new voice actor stepping into this iconic role.
Discover the New Voice Artist Bringing Franky to Life in One Piece
The talented voice artist taking over the character of Franky in One Piece is none other than Subaru Kimura. His addition to the cast promises to bring a fresh perspective and new energy to Franky, a character loved by fans for his unique personality and vibrant enthusiasm.
The official announcement confirming Kimura’s role as Franky was made during the exciting events of Jump Festa 2024. Shortly thereafter, the show’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shared the news, ensuring fans were among the first to know about this significant change in the voice cast.
Subaru Kimura is far from a newcomer in the voice acting industry; he has an impressive resume filled with notable roles across various prominent anime series. Fans might recognize his voice as Aoi Todo in Jujutsu Kaisen, Haruki Hayashida in Tokyo Revengers, Ryouma Terasaka in Assassination Classroom, Satori Tendo in Haikyuu!!!, and Sakuragi in The First Slam Dunk. His extensive experience and diverse roles suggest that Kimura is well-equipped to take on the challenge of voicing Franky.
Kazuki Yao, the former voice of Franky, expressed his feelings about stepping away from the role, describing it as “sad” and “frustrating.” He cited the inability to deliver an ideal portrayal of Franky as a key reason for his departure. Yao has faced ongoing health issues, which have also impacted his other roles, including the character Jango, now voiced by Wataru Takagi.
Yao’s exit was not an isolated incident within the One Piece anime community, as several other voice actors also left the franchise this year. Tessho Genda, known for voicing Kaido, also departed earlier, with his agency indicating that his exit was only temporary, according to reports from Comic Book Resources. Additionally, Toru Furuya, who voiced Sabo, stepped down following controversy surrounding personal matters, further adding to the shifts in the voice cast.
