2025: A Year Packed with Anime Voices
2025 was another year overflowing with anime, from TV series and theatrical releases to streaming originals. Before we knew it, while diving into shows and attending events, the year has zoomed by.
At Anime! Anime!, we once again held our annual year-end tradition—the [Anime! Anime! General Election]. This time, we turned the spotlight to the “voice actors” who breathe soul into characters with a reader survey.
We asked you to vote for the voice actor you thought was “the most active in 2025” and the one you “most wanted to promote” or became a fan of this year, in separate male and female categories. This includes those who took on main roles, jumped into hit series, or shined in stage plays and readings.
The survey gathered responses from 2,364 people between November 15 and December 17. The gender ratio was roughly 30% male and 70% female. Age-wise: under 19 at about 25%, 20s at about 30%, and 30s and 40s each at around 15%.
In this article, we’re unveiling the final results for “The Female Voice Actor Thought to Be the Most Active in 2025.”
Unforgettable Characters Born from 2025’s Standout Voices
First Place
#1 is Hanazawa Kana, with a support rate of approximately 18%.
Readers highlighted the sheer number of titles she appeared in during 2025, especially her multiple leading and heroine roles. One fan said, “In 2025, she seemed to be in the main cast every season. Especially in spring, with Houjou Reiko in Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de (Mystery Solving is After Dinner), Koga Konoha in Ninja to Koroshiya no Futarigurashi (Ninja and Assassin Living Together), Echika Hieda in Yua Foruma (Your Forma), and Jose in Shintouki (Theogony), I could hear her voice almost daily.” Another added, “Her voice, which blends cuteness and elegance, adds color to every work. The atmosphere changes so much with each role that I always get excited wondering what kind of performance she’ll show next.”
Her activities beyond voice acting also boosted her support. “This year, she performed the OP theme ‘Yaren no? Endless’ for Ninkoro (short for a title), and her Billboard Live tour across three major cities was a huge success. She also participated in music festivals, sharing her singing voice in all sorts of places,” showcasing her appeal as an artist.
Others noted her talk show presence: “Her radio show ‘Hanazawa Kana no Hitori de Dekiru ka na?’ entered its 18th year, and she started a new challenge with podcast distribution,” and “This year, she guested on various radio programs, and hearing her banter with unexpected personalities like comedians and writers let us discover new sides of her.”
Second Place
#2 is Ueda Reina, with a support rate of about 15%.
Ueda Reina’s roles in theatrical releases were a major talking point. “She always delivers sincere performances, but this year’s Chainsaw Man: Reze-hen (Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc) was just too powerful. Even as the year ends, I still find myself thinking about Reze, whom I watched during the lingering summer heat.” Another shared, “With Reze in Chainsaw Man and Tsuyuri Kanao in Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer), her work in films made this year memorable. When I went to see Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans Uruzuhanto -Chiisana Chousensha no Kiseki- (Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt -Traces of a Small Challenger-) in autumn, the trailer for next year’s Senkou no Hathaway: Kirke no Majo (The Flash of Hathaway: Circe’s Witch) also played, and I was captivated by Ueda-san’s voice.”
Of course, many also praised her TV series roles: “In the latter half of Ao no Hako (Blue Box), I was completely captured by the straightforward cuteness of Kano Chinatsu-chan. Haruno-san in mono also has that slightly laid-back feel I love.” She even voiced a villain in tokusatsu: “I was happy to hear her as the enemy executive Mrs. Sweetcake in Number One Sentai Gojuujaa (Number One Squadron Gojuujaa).”
Third Place
#3 is Hayami Saori, with a support rate of around 12%. The top three here mirror the results for the “most wanted to promote” category.
Comments frequently mentioned Kochou Shinobu from the year’s biggest hit, Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou-hen Daiisshou: Akaza Futatabi (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Infinity Castle Chapter One: Akaza Returns). “She magnificently expressed Shinobu-san’s hatred and anger towards demons, and her wish for a world where no one’s happiness is threatened. I couldn’t hold back tears at her way of life,” said one reader who was moved in the theater.
Her diverse activities were also highlighted: “In the dub for Predator: Badland, as a talkative android, she basically talked non-stop, displaying her expressive power to the fullest. She also narrated the documentary program Chikyuu Dramatic (Earth Dramatic) and performed readings for audio-first novels by author Minato Kanae, further broadening her range.” Another noted, “It was the 10th anniversary year of her artist activities, so from the orchestral live in January, it was a year with many chances to hear her sing.”
Moving on, for 4th place, Ayane Sakura, readers said: “In Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON (My Hero Academia Final Season), when Ochako-chan was crying and pouring out her feelings, I bawled my eyes out along with her. I’m nothing but grateful that she played Ochako all the way to the final episode!” “Her performance as Minamoto Kurou-gitsune in the musical reading drama TAIL to TALE ~Story from Yoshitsune Senbonzakura~ was amazing, naturally drawing me into the story.” “Her solo program Sakura Ayane Ronri x Lonely started, and she even filled in on Sakura Ayane no Nichiyou Tengoku for Announcer Shinichirou Azumi’s show. Her radio work is incredible. Getting to know her personality through these shows, she comes across as a wonderful woman with a strong core.”
For 5th place, Aoi Yuuki: “Her role as Maomao in Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (The Apothecary Diaries) was masterful. Using a lower, more restrained voice than usual, she delicately yet expressively switched between serious and comedic scenes. I can’t wait for Season 3 and the movie!” “In Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba”, Aoi-san’s character, Ubuyashiki Kiriya, made a full appearance. I was amazed at how smoothly his long lines, which also served as exposition, flowed into my head. His voice tone was so convincing it felt like an actual 8-year-old boy was performing.” “I liked how Luo Xiaohei (Rou Shouhei) in Ryo Xiaohei Senki 2: Bokura ga Nozomu Mirai (The Legend of Luo Xiaohei 2: The Future We Hope For) was blunt but had kindness deep down.”
In this survey, reasons for votes included the number of roles, the impact of characters portrayed, and year-round active presence encompassing music and radio work. The top three—Hanazawa Kana, Ueda Reina, and Hayami Saori—all voiced crucial characters in Kimetsu no Yaiba, and the release of new installments made it a hugely talked-about year, which is reflected in the results.
Thank you to everyone who voted and shared comments!
The next page reveals the top 20, so be sure to check it out.
Top 10 Ranking
[The Female Voice Actor Thought to Be the Most Active in 2025]
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hanazawa Kana |
| 2 | Ueda Reina |
| 3 | Hayami Saori |
| 4 | Sakura Ayane |
| 5 | Yuuki Aoi |
| 6 | Uchida Maaya |
| 7 | Tanezaki Atsumi |
| 8 | Minase Inori |
| 9 | Hasegawa Ikumi |
| 10 | Kito Akari |
(Survey Period: November 15 to December 17, 2025)
Next Page: Rankings 11 through 20
※This survey is part of our effort to understand readers’ current interests and attention regarding anime works and characters. The results are not intended to rank characters or works as superior or inferior. We hope this article serves as an opportunity to discover new works and characters or to deepen your understanding and interest.
Writer: 《Takahashi Katsunori》
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