2025 was another year packed with countless anime, from TV series and theatrical releases to streaming originals. Before we knew it, while keeping up with shows and attending events, the year is already drawing to a close.
At Anime! Anime!, we once again held our annual year-end project, the Anime! Anime! General Election. This time, we focused on the “voice actors” who breathe life into characters with a reader survey.
We asked readers to vote for the voice actors they thought were “the most active” in 2025—those who took on main roles, participated in hit works, or shined in stage plays and reading performances—as well as the voice actors they “most recommended” this year, whether they became new fans or personally wanted to recommend them. Votes were collected separately for male and female voice actors.
From November 15 to December 17, we received responses from 2,364 people. The gender ratio was about 30% male and 70% female, with more female respondents. The age distribution was approximately 25% under 19, 30% in their 20s, and about 15% each for those in their 30s and 40s.
In this article, we announce the final results for the “most recommended male voice actor.”
Table of Contents
Acting, Radio, and Singing—All Worth Recommending!
1st Place
1st place is Uchiyama Kouki. The support rate was about 11%.
In 2025, he voiced impactful characters across TV series and movies, such as Kodani Hanaki in Wandance, Ema Jouji in Muchuu sa, Kimi ni., and Zaitsu in Hyakuemu.
Readers shared comments like: “I became a fan because of Narumi Gen, who appeared in the second season of Kaijuu 8-gou (also known as Kaiju No. 8). From there, I realized that Uchiyama-san voiced other favorite characters like Inumaki Toge in Jujutsu Kaisen and Someya Yuujirou from LIP×LIP. Now, he’s my top recommended voice actor!” and “I was truly moved by his performance as Shigaraki Tomura in Boku no Hero Academia. Even though Shigaraki is a villain, Uchiyama-san’s acting shook my heart, and I couldn’t help but sympathize with his circumstances.” Others noted: “He brilliantly portrayed roles with a gap between their private and work selves, like Raku in Sakamoto Days, Cart in Ginga Tokkyuu Milky☆Subway, and Captain Narumi in Kaijuu 8-gou, making them very charming.”
Additionally, some readers recommended him for his radio work: “Uchiyama Kouki no 1 Cool! reached its finale due to the end of the super!A&G+ service, but it was so entertaining that I’ve listened to it multiple times. The fact that it continued for over 10 years instead of just ‘1 cool’ (one season) is, I think, thanks to Uchiyama Kouki’s own appeal.” Many expressed regret over the show’s end.
2nd Place
2nd place is Nakamura Yuuichi, with only a few votes difference from 1st place.
Nakamura Yuuichi took on diverse characters this year, such as Mogura in Shukin no Mogura and Clematis in Clematis – Majuu no Ou to Akago to Shikabane no Yuusha.
Readers said: “In Wonderful Precure!, he voiced the rabbit Daifuku-chan, and in Lazarus, he played Jill, a transgender character, showing his wide range. And of course, his starring role in Shukin no Mogura was fantastic!” Beyond anime, some pointed to character songs and games: “I was happy to hear Nakamura-san’s new character song as Ichinomiya Kazuki in Wind Breaker,” and “I got hooked on Flynnz, who was implemented this year in Genshin Impact. It’s also great that Nakamura-san himself is a gamer.”
Many comments highlighted his video streams: “On his YouTube channel Washaga na TV, he even collaborated with Tokyo Tower! On his personal channel, he streams games almost daily—his service spirit is amazing!” and “This year, he entertained us even with the Nintendo Switch 2 lottery.” His personality glimpsed through streams also won support.
3rd Place
3rd place is Ishida Akira, with a support rate of about 8%.
In 2025, he appeared in many titles like Kei in Kagaku x Bouken Survival! and Regulus in Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu, but the role that garnered the most praise was Akaza / Kyouji in Gekijouban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugenjou Hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Infinity Castle Chapter 1 – Akaza’s Return).
Readers exclaimed: “Not only did he distinguish between the demon Akaza and the human Kyouji, but his expressiveness in changing his voice for Kyouji’s boyhood and youth left me in awe. The line ‘I’m sorry’ at the end of the movie brought tears to my eyes.” Others shared: “I went to the theater multiple times just to watch Akaza and Kyouji. He’s the voice actor who left the biggest impression on me this year,” and “He effortlessly surpassed the high expectations for a blockbuster movie. Even people who don’t usually watch anime probably became Akaza fans!” His passionate performance in the movie’s climax received continuous acclaim.
Additionally, “In episode 6 of 3-nen Z-gumi Ginpachi-sensei, he performed Katsura’s rap as Katsurap for the first time in over a decade—I was so happy!” The popular character’s rap also became a topic. His ability to portray both intense and soft roles gathered many votes.
Moving on, for 4th place Kamiya Hiroshi, comments included: “I was drawn in by the cool, low voice of Mudano Mudano in Tougen Anki,” “His elegant voice as the young All For One in Boku no Hero Academia gave me goosebumps. I was captivated by the beautiful, poignant, and delicately expressive acting that conveyed anger and sadness,” and “In music, he leads the Kiramune label, and he also entertains through reading performances and fan meetings.”
For 5th place Yusa Kouji, readers said: “Stanley in Dr. Stone was a perfect fit and fantastic,” “His Kansai dialect as Zen’in Naoya in Jujutsu Kaisen was brilliant. Actually, when I read the original manga, I already imagined it in Yusa Kouji’s voice (laughs),” and “I became a fan through Jujutsu Kaisen, and then I watched anime and radio shows he appeared in. His own talk is wonderful with sharp retorts and wit.”
In the “most recommended male voice actor” category, voice actors who played roles that defined their works—protagonists, rivals, key persons—ranked high. Moreover, attention also focused on activities outside of anime, like radio, video streaming, and character songs, showing that reasons to recommend them extend beyond the screen.
Next time, we’ll announce the results for the “most recommended female voice actor.” Don’t miss it!
Top 10 Ranking
[2025 Most Recommended Male Voice Actor?]
| Rank | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| 1st | Uchiyama Kouki |
| 2nd | Nakamura Yuuichi |
| 3rd | Ishida Akira |
| 4th | Kamiya Hiroshi |
| 5th | Yusa Kouji |
| 6th | Miyano Mamoru |
| 7th | Uchida Yuuma |
| 8th | Okamoto Nobuhiko |
| 9th | Sugita Tomokazu |
| 10th | Hanae Natsuki |
(Survey period: November 15 to December 17, 2025)
Next page: Rankings up to 20th place revealed
– Takahashi Katsunori
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