An exclusive interview with Fukuyama Jun, the voice of Eisei in the TV anime Kingdom, has been published in the web magazine “J:magazine!”. In this engaging discussion, Fukuyama Jun shares his initial encounter with the series and his deep-seated feelings about taking on such a monumental role.
About the Epic Anime Kingdom
Kingdom is a blockbuster manga series penned by Hara Yasuhisa, currently serialized in “Shukan Young Jump”. The story transports us to the tumultuous Spring and Autumn Warring States period of ancient China, vividly depicting the journey of Shin, a young orphan boy with an unwavering dream of becoming a Great General of the Heavens, and Eisei, the ambitious young king who would later unify China as its First Emperor. The TV anime adaptation first premiered in 2012, and fans are currently enjoying its exciting 6th series, which began airing on October 4, 2025.
Fukuyama Jun: A Voice Acting Powerhouse
Fukuyama Jun is a truly accomplished voice actor, known for bringing life to a multitude of beloved characters across various genres. His impressive career highlights include:
| Anime Title | Character Role |
|---|---|
| Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch | Lelouch Lamperouge |
| Osomatsu-san | Matsuno Ichimatsu |
| Ansatsu Kyoushitsu | Koro-sensei |
Reflecting on His Journey with Kingdom
In his “J:magazine!” interview, Fukuyama Jun candidly shared his initial impressions of Kingdom. “When I first joined, I never imagined it would become such a long-running series,” he recalled. “However, the original manga was immensely popular even back then, and there was always a buzz in the industry about how ‘Kingdom is definitely going to be the next big thing’ even before I got the audition call.”
A Deep-Seated Aspiration for Historical Dramas
Fukuyama Jun also delved into his long-standing admiration for historical dramas, or jidaigeki. “The kind of verbal exchanges that require genuine courage and conviction are truly unique to historical dramas,” he explained. “I genuinely disliked the idea of not being able to perform such nuanced roles once I got older. I wanted to see how much of that courage I could express through my words as someone past 30. I felt that if I waited until I was ‘ready,’ it would be too late.”
The Gravity of Portraying Historical Figures
He continued, “Within this grand historical drama set in a turbulent era of war, our protagonists, despite being young, constantly contend with powerful adults. I often wondered how much of the weight and persuasive power of these actual historical figures’ words I could truly embody. Kingdom was the project where I felt they recognized that potential in my audition.” Fukuyama Jun expressed a profound sense of gratitude, stating, “Being in my early 30s, still fresh but no longer a rookie, I felt like I encountered this magnificent work at the perfect stage of my career.”
Discover More and Where to Watch
The “J:magazine!” interview offers even more fascinating insights, including anecdotes about Morita Seiichi, who voices Shin, and other intriguing topics. Furthermore, if you’re eager to dive into the epic saga, Kingdom is available for unlimited streaming on “J:COM STREAM”.
（C）Hara Yasuhisa・Shueisha／NHK・NEP・Pierrot
（C）Hara Yasuhisa／Shueisha・Kingdom Production Committee
By Takahashi Katsunori
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