UlasanAnime.com – This article presents a personal list of the top 10 seiyuu (voice actors/actresses) the author feels compelled to discuss, moving beyond typical top lists and focusing on individual impressions and career highlights.
The author clarifies that this list isn’t inspired by existing top 10 seiyuu articles and aims for a more conversational approach rather than a detailed breakdown of characters and their voice actors. The focus is on discussing the seiyuu themselves.
A recent scandal involving Arts Vision and its former president, who allegedly exploited women for career advancement, is briefly mentioned. This controversy has brought a lot of negative attention to the industry in recent weeks. The author notes some interesting news related to Yui Horie in connection with this scandal.
The author shares an anecdote about fans engaging in a “pillow fight” outside the Arts Vision building, finding it a humorous yet endearing display of fan dedication, despite its silliness.
Shifting to a different topic, the author discusses Yukana, acknowledging her as a somewhat controversial figure. Given recent discussions and accusations, it’s not surprising she’s been mentioned in relation to the Arts Vision scandal, humorously noting the irony given the nature of the accusations.
The article then shifts to the return of Megumi Hayashibara. The author highlights her status as a superstar seiyuu since the 90s, captivating many fans even those who have since moved on from actively following anime. While unsure about her concert performance quality, the author believes Hayashibara will rise to the occasion, given her versatility. The author also expresses a desire to identify those responsible for a negative experience during her one US convention appearance in 1995, providing a link for newcomers to learn more.
The author’s attention turns to Rika Morinaga, whom they discovered while Simoun was airing. Morinaga voiced Mamiina in Simoun and also appeared in the anime Wandaba Style. The author was particularly struck by her appearance in DVD extras, where she participated in games with other voice actresses. Further research revealed Morinaga is also a model involved in indie music, specifically mentioning “function code.” The author finds “Gothloli music” to be hit-or-miss but expresses interest in hearing Function Code’s new CD.
Regarding music, the author finds Nana Mizuki uniquely captivating. While live performance DVDs seem “meh” to the author, her music resonates. The author acknowledges Mizuki’s wide vocal range in voice acting and anticipates her taking on more significant dramatic roles, lamenting that the prevalence of “crap anime” makes finding suitable roles difficult, even for talented individuals.
With five more seiyuu to discuss, the author moves on.
The author then discusses Mamiko Noto, noting her role as Matsuri in Sola as one of her more entertaining performances since Mitsuki Ikuta. While Sola itself is described as a show that initially grabs attention but ultimately proves mediocre due to its “TEROGE-ness,” Noto’s portrayal of Matsuri is praised. Mai Nakahara, as Matsuri’s counterpart, is also mentioned, with the author humorously questioning if all Nakahara characters “explode,” referencing her role in Higurashi. Despite this, the author considers Nakahara’s performance as Mai in Mai-Hime to be her best, even though Mai-Hime is considered a “crap show (in a good way),” showcasing her range.
The author expresses continued admiration for Houko Kuwashima, placing her among their top three. Kuwashima’s debut role as Yurika Misumaru is highlighted, with her “no-nonsense” voice being described as soothing, a positive element in Saiunkoku Monogatari. Fans of Claymore will recognize Kuwashima as the voice of Clare. The author finds something special about her voice but notes her songs are only “so-so” and she doesn’t engage in the “cosplay puppy” behavior attributed to Aya Hirano, which helps the author manage their spending on imported goods.
The concept of “range” in voice acting is deemed subjective and elusive by the author, and not necessarily the most important factor. Satsuki Yukino, a master of vocal range, recently visited the US, a trip the author unfortunately missed. However, the author notes that Shizuka Itou, while not as strong as Yukino, can be incredibly impactful and garner significant attention. Many viewers of Pumpkin Scissors are believed to have been drawn to the show by the effect Itou’s voice created, similar to listening to a particular CD. Yukino is reported to be a charming person in reality, perhaps even “overbearingly cute.” The author appreciates older-school seiyuu who pursue their passion for the craft rather than focusing on image and career advancement, but still finds Yukino’s character Shinon in Starship Operators to be “plain geek-sexy!”
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The author concludes the list at ten, deciding to stop before the discussion becomes too extensive or potentially offensive.
