November 2nd marks the birthday of Ishida Akira-san, a voice actor whose versatile performances have captivated audiences for decades.
Ishida Akira-san debuted in the 1990s and has since lent his voice to a vast array of characters across many works, earning him the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 1st Seiyuu Awards.
In 2025, his voice graced numerous popular titles, including Gekijouban Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Jou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai, Kagaku x Bouken Survival!, 3-nen Z-gumi Ginpachi-sensei, and Ranma 1/2, showcasing his incredible range.
To celebrate Ishida Akira-san’s birthday, we once again conducted a reader survey titled “Who is your favorite character he has voiced?”, following up on last year’s poll. We received 2,398 responses during the survey period from October 18th to October 24th.
The gender ratio was approximately 15% male and 85% female, indicating a strong majority of female respondents. Regarding age groups, roughly 40% were under 19, with 20s, 30s, and 40s each making up about 15%.
Table of Contents
Gintama‘s Katsura & Kimetsu no Yaiba‘s Akaza Secure Top Two Spots! All Eyes on Recent Releases!
1st Place
Claiming the top spot for an incredible eighth consecutive year is Katsura Kotarou from Gintama, with approximately 17% of the total votes.
Katsura Kotarou is a loyal Joui patriot and a former comrade-in-arms of the protagonist, Sakata Gintoki. Readers showered him with praise for his compelling duality, noting: “His strong presence as a dignified Joui patriot and his hilarious antics when he fully embraces comedy create such an intense contrast! The gap between his serious demeanor and his goofy side is absolutely captivating.” Another fan commented, “His iconic catchphrase, ‘Zura janai, Katsura da!’ (It’s not Zura, it’s Katsura!), and DJ.OZURA’s ‘Katsurap’ song ‘Joui ga ★ JOY’ give him a rare charm, making you wonder, ‘Is that really Ishida-san doing that?!’ It’s irresistible!” These comments highlight how his chaotic behavior has become a fan favorite.
But Katsura isn’t just about laughs. “Despite all the gags, the atmosphere becomes instantly tense in serious scenes. In the ‘Benizakura-hen’ arc, his samurai pride truly shone through,” one reader shared, emphasizing how Ishida Akira-san’s ability to portray such a wide emotional spectrum contributes to the character’s enduring popularity.
He also appears in the currently airing spin-off, 3-nen Z-gumi Ginpachi-sensei. Fans were thrilled by his recent surprise appearance, with one exclaiming, “He had many disguises in the main series, but in the second episode of Ginpachi-sensei, he became an elementary schooler! It was heartwarming to see him playing with Elizabeth and super car erasers, and I was amazed that he could produce such a high-pitched voice!” His latest appearances continue to delight fans.
2nd Place
Securing the second spot is Akaza from Kimetsu no Yaiba (also known as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba), with approximately 16% of the votes. This marks a significant leap from his 7th place ranking last year.
Akaza is an Upper Rank Three demon of the Twelve Kizuki. In the currently released film, Gekijouban Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Jou-hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai, he stands as a formidable opponent before the protagonist, Kamado Tanjiro.
Fans raved about his performance, stating, “From his line, ‘Saa hajimeyouka. Utage no jikan da’ (Now, let us begin. It’s party time), you can truly feel his enjoyment of battle. The intensity in his voice when unleashing techniques adds immense power, giving him a distinct credibility as a formidable foe.” While he was a hated enemy in the “Mugen Ressha-hen” arc, his portrayal took on new dimensions in the “Mugen Jou-hen,” where his human past was explored, completely changing the audience’s perception. Comments like “I cried along with his lamentations in the ‘Mugen Jou-hen'” and “His voice, filled with sadness as he recalled his past during intense combat, completely captivated my heart. I couldn’t help but wish for his salvation, even as a demon” highlight how delving deeper into his character’s background garnered him widespread support.
3rd Place
Coming in at third place is Nagisa Kaworu from Shin Seiki Evangelion (also known as Neon Genesis Evangelion), with approximately 10% of the votes, rising from 4th place last year to enter the top three.
Nagisa Kaworu is a mysterious boy who appeared as the Fifth Child, an EVA pilot, in episode 24 of the TV anime series. Despite his brief appearances, his presence is overwhelmingly impactful. Admirers praised his gentle, breathy voice, noting, “Even with short screen time, his presence is overwhelming. His soft, breathy words saved not only Shinji-kun’s heart but ours too.” Other comments include, “His unforgettable lines like ‘Uta wa ii ne’ (Music is good) from his first appearance and ‘Boku wa Kimi to au tame ni umaretekitan da ne’ (I was born to meet you, wasn’t I?) from Eva Q, delivered with such fleeting and transparent vocal quality, are captivating. His voice carries a strange melody, both gentle and somehow dangerous.”
This year saw the “Evangelion Series 30th Anniversary: The Last Messenger Nagisa Kaworu Exhibition” and the ongoing “Monthly Eva” revival screenings of the series’ theatrical films. One fan commented, “The newly recorded voice lines for the Nagisa Kaworu exhibition were simply amazing. I believe Ishida-san’s voice plays a huge role in why Kaworu-kun continues to be loved for so long,” showing that even 30 years after its broadcast, his voice still brings comfort to many.
Introducing Other Comments!
For Kagari Shuusei from PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass, a fan shared: “While Ishida-san often plays cool characters, Kagari-kun is usually quite flippant, and his voice is a bit lower. In the first episode, right before shooting his gun, the sound of him kissing the barrel and his line ‘Oya oya, warui ko da’ (Oh my, what a naughty boy) gave me chills.”
Regarding Hyougetsu from Dr.STONE, a comment read: “I adore Ishida-san’s polite character roles. Beyond his chilling voice, his unexpected sides that emerge as the story progresses are fantastic. I particularly love the scene where he’s moved by eating a hamburger.”
For Yuurakutei Yakumo from Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, a reader remarked: “It’s amazing how his performance deepens to suit not only the change in age from youth to old age, but also the rakugo he performs, from just learning it to the maturity of his later years. It truly convinced me that his ‘Shinigami’ performance could only be achieved at that age.”
And for Abe no Yasuaaki from Harukanaru Toki no Naka de, a fan commented: “His acting, showing how an artificial being without emotions gradually develops a heart through interactions with his companions, is truly wonderful. It was like a doll transforming into a ‘person’.” These diverse comments highlight the wide range of characters, spanning various ages, that Ishida Akira-san has brought to life.
In this 2025 edition, while the top spot remained unchanged, the rankings from second place downwards saw some shifts. Titles that recently aired, were released in theaters, or revealed new developments prominently featured in the top ranks, making us curious to see the results in the years to come!
Don’t miss the top 20 on the next page!
Ranking Top 10
[Who is your favorite character voiced by Ishida Akira-san? 2025 Edition]
- Katsura Kotarou 『Gintama』
- Akaza 『Kimetsu no Yaiba』
- Nagisa Kaworu 『Shin Seiki Evangelion』
- Asuran Zala 『Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED』
- Fyodor D. 『Bungou Stray Dogs』
- Cho Hakkai 『Saiyuuki』
- Natori Shuichi 『Natsume Yuujinchou』
- Zeros 『Slayers』
- Ayabe Kihachirou 『Nintama Rantarou』
- Gaara 『NARUTO -Naruto-』
（Survey Period: October 18, 2025 – October 24, 2025）
Next page: Top 20 ranking unveiled
《Takahashi Katsunori》
