Celebrating the Birthday of Kamiya Hiroshi: Fans Vote for Their Favorite Character He’s Played!
January 28th is the birthday of voice actor Kamiya Hiroshi.
Kamiya Hiroshi debuted in the 1990s. He has won numerous awards at the Seiyuu Awards, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2nd ceremony and the Best Lead Actor and Personality awards at the 3rd.
The year 2025 saw him appear in many titles such as Tougen Anki, Ao no Orchestra Season 2, Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON, and Gekijouban Mononoke Dai Ni Shou: Kine. He is also active as a musician, with his 11th mini-album “Share Music” released on his birthday, January 28th.
To celebrate, we once again conducted a reader survey titled “Which character he has played is your favorite?”. During the survey period from January 22nd to 26th, we received 770 responses. The gender ratio was approximately 10% male and 90% female, with a majority being female. The age demographic was centered on younger audiences, with about 50% under 19 and 20% in their 20s.
Table of Contents
Last Year’s Results: https://animeanime.jp/article/2025/01/28/89011.html
■ Praise for His Incredible Range, From Serious to Comedic!
First Place
First place went to Rivai (Levi) from Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan). With a support rate of about 40%, he returned to the top spot after two years.
Rivai is the squad captain of the Survey Corps, a powerhouse known as “Humanity’s Strongest Soldier.” Readers commented: “Each word delivered in his low, restrained voice holds so many emotions—Rivai’s sternness, kindness, loneliness. Because Kamiya-san played Rivai for over 10 years, I felt I could deeply immerse myself in the world of Shingeki no Kyojin,” and “He’s usually cool and nihilistic, but he’s actually deeply caring and devoted to his comrades. The loneliness that drifts in the heart of humanity’s strongest, who has lost so many companions, is also part of his charm.” The character, burdened by the destiny that comes with being the strongest, is hugely popular.
His unexpected sides also gathered support: “You think he’s an indomitable, strongest soldier… but then he sometimes shows a playful face. Like how he loves cleaning… (laughs),” and “When he’s told ‘You’re not popular, are you?’ and he stammers, ‘…I’ve been popular… before…’ it’s so cute.” Comments noted that the humor that seeps through in casual moments adds depth to Rivai’s character. The title is currently having a revival screening of Gekijouban “Shingeki no Kyojin” Kanketsu-hen THE LAST ATTACK.
Second Place
Second place was Natsume Takashi from Natsume Yuujinchou. With a support rate of about 12%, he moved down from last year’s top position.
Natsume Takashi is a boy who can see youkai (spirits). Through the “Book of Friends” left by his grandmother, he interacts with various youkai alongside his companion, Nyanko-sensei. Readers said: “I love the voice of Takashi-kun, who is gentle and sensitive yet strong-willed. A long time has passed since the TV anime started in 2008, but I’m moved by the unchanged transparency in his voice,” and “Watching Natsume, who closed off his heart after not being understood by adults, meet the Fujiwaras and Nyanko-sensei and gradually become able to talk to his classmates… Kamiya-san meticulously expresses those subtle shifts in his heart, including his growth as a person.” Comments touched on the unique “unchanging quality” and “accumulation” of a long-running series.
Furthermore, some readers shared: “It’s a quiet yet emotionally resonant performance that amazed me—how can someone express such delicacy with just their voice? This character wasn’t just the reason I became a fan of Kamiya-san, but also what sparked my interest in the profession of voice acting itself.”
Third Place
Third place was Edogawa Ranpo from Bungou Stray Dogs. With a support rate of about 8%, this marks four consecutive years in third place.
Edogawa Ranpo is a member of the Armed Detective Agency, a genius detective who solves cases with sharp reasoning. Readers commented: “Kamiya-san plays many cool characters, but Ranpo is innocent, rambunctious, and audacious. Yet, when he puts on his glasses, he becomes a different person—keenly intelligent. It’s delightful to enjoy such varied performances,” and “His provocative way of speaking, as if looking down on everyone around him, feels good. And yet, he also has this ’26-year-old child’ side, like not even knowing how to ride a train. That gap is irresistible.” Many fans are drawn to this duality.
A scene from the past arc “The Untold Story of the Detective Agency’s Founding” received significant反响: “In episode 40, when he’s scolded by Fukuzawa-shi, the scene where he just keeps repeating ‘I’m sorry’ while crying really stuck with me.” Attention was also drawn to this episode from when Ranpo was 14.
■ Here Are Some Other Comments!
For Mudano Muto from Tougen Anki: “He seems cold, but he’s a kind teacher who prioritizes his students’ lives. His sense of responsibility in nurturing them is also wonderful. I wish I had someone like Mudano-sensei when I was a student!”
For Matsuno Choromatsu from Osomatsu-san: “Of course he’s the straight man among the sextuplets, but his range is so wide—he’s been an idol otaku, a magical girl, even a mosquito (!). In episode 11 of the 4th season, when his consciousness swapped with another brother, the acting distinction was incredible.”
For Itoshiki Nozomu from Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei: “This is the work where I first discovered Kamiya-san, and the line ‘I’m in despair!’ is still memorable. I love his high-energy, fast-paced way of speaking.”
For Sakuma Yuusuke from Ao no Orchestra: “Just as it was mentioned in a recording session that the direction was to be ‘naturally mean,’ his way of speaking, which almost picks on others, is perfectly rogue-like. But his passion for music is greater than anyone’s, and the balance in expressing that is masterful.” Votes also came in for this title, whose second season aired last year.
This year’s survey saw rankings not only for long-standing popular characters but also for several new roles he took on. From serious to comedic, he shows his presence in a diverse array of characters.
■ The Top 10 Ranking
[Which character played by Kamiya Hiroshi is your favorite? 2026 Edition]
- Rivai – Shingeki no Kyojin
- Natsume Takashi – Natsume Yuujinchou
- Edogawa Ranpo – Bungou Stray Dogs
- Matsuno Choromatsu – Osomatsu-san
- Orihara Izaya – Durarara!!
- Mudano Muto – Tougen Anki
- Araragi Koyomi – Bakemonogatari
- Saiki Kusuo – Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan
- Trafalgar Law – One Piece
- Yato – Noragami
(Survey Period: January 22 – 26, 2026)
Next Page: The Ranking Up to 20th Place
Other surveys currently open! Please tell us your thoughts.
>> https://animeanime.jp/special/1898/recent/
※This survey is part of our ongoing research into readers’ “current interest in and attention to anime titles and characters.” The results are not intended to rank any characters or works as superior or inferior. We hope this article can serve as a chance to discover new works and characters, and to deepen your understanding and interest.
—Takahashi Katsu nori
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