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As I've watched more anime (in higher volume and closer together), I've finally started recognizing certain seiyuu no matter what character they are voicing. Of course this means I have developed a few favorites from those I recognize; I am sure everyone else has their favorites, too, so I wanted to make a thread where we could all honor the voice actors we love so very much.

Criteria for fandom can be whatever you want -- caliber of acting, awesomeness of voice, a great range of characters you enjoy, etc. Feel free to include any actor of any language, too. This thread is definitely not limited to Japanese or English VAs; if you enjoy, say, a Spanish VA or a German VA or whatever, then tell us! Pictures are welcome, too, but I personally won't be including any, haha.

Anyway, I'll kickstart the thread ...

Tomokazu Sugita
Notable Roles: Kyon (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), Takumi Mayama (Honey and Clover), Subaru Sumeragi (X), Hideki Motosuwa (Chobits)

I like how smooth his voice is and how he can go from composed to intensely angry and sarcastic and then back again in a fraction of a second. Hideki was my first exposure to him, but I don't really remember much of Chobits -- I became more of a fan of his after seeing Haruhi Suzumiya. Nothing against Crispin Freeman, who is a fine VA, but Sugita is Kyon, no questions asked. His sarcasm is perfect and a joy to listen to; I don't know how anyone could not laugh uproariously while listening to his narration of "The Adventures of Mikuru Asahina." His role as Mayama sealed my fandom -- he's so fantastic, and Mayama is such a difficult role because of his tricky relationships with Ayu and Rika.

Keiji Fujiwara
Notable Roles: Holland Novak (Eureka Seven), Shuuji Hanamoto (Honey and Clover), Ali Al-Saachez (Mobile Suit Gundam 00), Ladd Russo (Baccano!)

Fujiwara is the seiyuu who got me more interested in researching roles. I like that his characters share the innate intensity his voice commands, although they are all different types of characters (well, Ali and Ladd are somewhat similar). Holland is my favorite Fujiwara character -- he really nails every aspect of Holland. His frustrations, his anger/jealousy, his love of Talho, his devotion to Eureka, his strength, etc. Fujiwara is just too great as Holland. He also makes a wonderful psychotic villain. His Ali Al-Saachez is a great random burst of chaos, violence and lust for war, and Ladd is just crazy fun.

Yuichi Nakamura
Notable Roles: Tomoya Okazaki (Clannad), Graham Aker (Mobile Suit Gundam 00), Ikuto Tsukiyomi (Shugo Chara!)

Nakamura just has a ****ing cool sounding voice. I wish I sounded like him. In Clannad he has the sarcasm of Kyon, but the role is more emotional, and he hits those notes whenever it's required of him. Graham is just a hot-blooded, insanely awesome pilot bursting with FIGHTING SPIRIT~! He's probably my favorite Nakamura character just because I get to hear him shout awesome things and be super GAR. Ikuto is a cool customer; it's fun whenever he messes with Amu's head, although it can also be sort of creepy at times. lol

Anyway, enough blathering from me. Have at it, everyone!

Well, since I can't really go into dub VAs without becoming predictable:

Marina Inoue

She just gets the best roles. Ever. She's Kana from Minami-Ke, Yoko from Gurren Lagann, Iku from Library War, etc. I'm fairly certain everything this woman touches turns to gold. Which is why I'm planning to just go through her filmography next time I run out of stuff to watch.

I haven't really got to the point where i can say i have a favourite voice actor, although i dont even know her name (checking after this post) i like shion sonozaki's voice actor off higurashi no naku koro ni and kaname chidori from fullmetal panic

Well I'll give am awesome English voice actor:

Liam O'brien
Mostly known for Gaara (Naruto) and Archer (Fate Stay Night)

This guy has such a cool voice, but he always gets the weird roles.

Oh yeah, a seiyuu thread!!!

I've said it in many threads before, and my favorite seiyuu have never changed. They are:

Atsuko Tanaka
Most notable for her voicing of Major Motoko Kusanagi in the GitS: SAC series, this sultry-voiced seiyuu has vocal cords so hypnotic she'll make you fall in love with the character she's playing. She's got a broad range of talent, and I admire her most because she hasn't diversified (you know, the singing track).

Koichi Yamadera
My idol! He was Spike Speigel's voice in Cowboy Bebop, and he kills me everytime with his signature "Bangu!". He's got an awesome deep voice, and manages to convey a lot of attitude with it, making the character seem almost real.

Heh, I don't know any japanese voice actors. So I don't have much of a choice but to be obvious here lol.

Steven Blum - Most notably known as Spike (Cowboy Bebop) and is currently doing the voice of Wolverine in Wolverine and the X-Men. The only time I didn't really care for his voice was when he was voicing Kazuma in S-Cry-ed. (how is that suppose to be pronounced anyway? lol) He just don't sound right doing all that yelling or trying to sound all nice, and whatnot.

Crispin Freeman - Haha, I first heard this guy as Alucard in Hellsing, and boy, he practically turned the name of that series into Alucard. Sure there were other great characters but none of them really had much of an impact on me the way Crispin did Alucard. And he really knows how to bring out the emotion in his characters... (He's the reason why I watched Eureka 7)

Mary Elizabeth McGlenn - I hope I got that right. Seductive voice The Major in Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. She's like the Kirk (or is it Kurt?) Thorton of anime when it comes to detailed/thought provoking anime. She just sounds good when talking about err... stuff. lol

Kirk/Kurt Thorton
Chuck Huber
Can't remember who does the voice for Roy Mustang, but That day, all female officers will be required to wear... TINY MINISKIRTS! had me sold. Hehe.

Originally Posted by Magus

Mary Elizabeth McGlenn - I hope I got that right. Seductive voice The Major in Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. She's like the Kirk (or is it Kurt?) Thorton of anime when it comes to detailed/thought provoking anime. She just sounds good when talking about err... stuff. lol.

I first saw her in Outlaw Star as 'Hot Ice' Hilda. But for me, after watching the English dub of Cowboy Bebop, she has always been Julia to me. I don't know what it is, but her voice just has a certain quality that fits that character.

As for my favorite voice actress, it would have to be my new and possibly all time favorite:

Riisa Naka

The only time I have ever seen her work, was when I watched the Girl Who Leapt Through Time. She played the main character, Makoto. Her voice work was so great it moved me to tears most of the time. (She really put so much emotion into that role. It was hard not to cry.)

Here's just the pic I was looking for of her too. Sorry about the subtitles though. I google-searched it. ><

Riisa Naka in kimono

Originally Posted by Nessaja

I first saw her in Outlaw Star as 'Hot Ice' Hilda. But for me, after watching the English dub of Cowboy Bebop, she has always been Julia to me. I don't know what it is, but her voice just has a certain quality that fits that character.

I forgot she was even in Cowboy Bebop lol. It's been so long since I've seen CB till I forgot about her short-lived role. She was really good in that too. If I'm not mistaken she was also Electra (Elektra?) in Knockin on Heaven's door as well.

I should probably check into Outlaw Star one of these days.

Edit: I also forgot to mention Laura Bailey. She did the voice for Lust in Fullmetal Alchemist. Another one with a seductive voice. Then again that's the only thing I like her in though. I didn't care for her as Kid Trunks. (Then again, I didn't like him either.)

Seriously? No mention of Norio Wakamoto? For shame! Arguably the greatest voice actor ever! Wakamoto has been in everything, and he's pretty much the Christopher Walken of anime - shows nowaday shave roles written just for him and his insane voice. Wakamoto is most known for his deep, crazed, and drawn out vocals that no one else can quite perform. He has done some great emotional roles as well, most notably as the Coach from Gunbuster. Some of his most well-known roles are as Charles di Britannia in Code Geass, Cell in Dragon Ball Z, and the one that introduced me, the newspaper company vice-president in Baccano!.

I'm also quite partial to Tomokazu Seki who plays Domon Kasshu in G Gundam and Anime Taichou in that itself and Lucky Star. There's a seiyuu joke in LS where Tomokazu Seki and Tomokazu Sugita are arguing over something. Seki's done a number of great voices, but Domon is most notable... after all, "BAAAKUNETSU! GODO FINGAAAA!!!"

I am not as familiar with Wakamoto as I'd like to be. He's in Baccano! for just the one episode, and I've been watching the Code Geass dub so much lately that I forget how everyone sounds except for Jun Fukuyama as Lelouch.

Anyway, more from me!

Shinichiro Miki
Notable Roles: Lockon Stratos (Mobile Suit Gundam 00), Kurz Weber (Full Metal Panic!), Baroqueheat (Hatenkou Yuugi), Tetsu (Saikano)

I mostly know Miki for playing characters who are sly flirts but are also hidden badasses. He's always a lot of fun in these roles. Lockon is my favorite character of his -- with that performance, you get the feeling his slyness is a cover for the anger he feels about his family being killed and his desire for vengeance due to that. Weber and Baroqueheat are outrageously fun. Weber flirts with everything that has a skirt and a long pair of legs (and is hilarious while doing it), while Baroqueheat reserves his advances for Rahzel (but is also hilarious while doing this). Tetsu is the one big departure from the norm I have heard from Miki. He is mostly a serious guy, but he has a tender, loving side that cares deeply for Chise -- despite the fact that she is a weapon -- and that also wishes to see his wife again.

Mamiko Noto
Notable Roles: Kotomi Ichinose (Clannad), Shimako Toudou (Maria-sama ga Miteru), Anna Liebert (Monster), Kazumi Aihara (Kyo no Gononi OVA), Kotori Monou (X)

I've heard complaints that her voice sounds too cute, but I like her voice (well, when she's not in a role obviously manufactured for moe *cough* Haruka Nogizaka *cough*). Her voice is comforting to listen to but also has a sort of spacey quality to it that some roles pick up on more than others. (Most notably for me, Kotomi, who is a true, blue space cadet.) My favorite Noto role is Anna, because it is cool to hear her play somewhat against type as a woman who could kill you at the drop of a hat (although Anna is plenty emotional and not pure, 100 percent badass).

Mamoru Miyano
Notable Roles: Light Yagami (Death Note), Setsuna F. Seiei (Mobile Suit Gundam 00), Tamaki Suou (Ouran High School Host Club), Death the Kid (Soul Eater)

Maybe a trendy pick, but I don't care -- I like the guy a lot. He's proven to be a versatile seiyuu, with a bunch of wildly varying roles, and his voice always fits the character just right. I'd never imagine the same guy would be capable of playing Tamaki, and then playing Light, and then playing Setsuna, and then playing Death, but there you go. In terms of acting, he always hits the right note (lol), whether it's the goofiness of Tamaki or the dramatics of Light. Miyano's also has a pleasant tone to it: Like Yuichi Nakamura, he just sounds really cool. I'd love to have his voice too.

oddly, I love Mamoru Miyano, especially as Death the Kid, but I cannot stand Noto. I thought she was great as Shimako in Marimite, and that's the only place I can really tolerate her. She just sounds so insanely unrealistic.

Also, the Wakamoto Baccano! character has another big scene in the OVA. A must-see.

Given that I'm far more familiar with English VAs than Japanese VAs, I'll start off with those. Apologies if I use any that you all deem "overused" :P [And a majority of them I know through video games, too XD]

Scott McNeil
My favorite roles: Hohenheim of Light [Fullmetal Alchemist], Ali Al-Saachez [Gundam 00]
Notable roles: Kouga [Inuyasha], Duo Maxwell [Gundam Wing], Piccolo [in the original Dragonball Z dub]

It's SCOTT FREAKIN' MCNEIL, DUDES. COME ON.

Seriously though, I'm in love with the man's voice. It's very rugged and sexy, which is weird, since that's not the character type I usually go for, heh. He plays a mean Ali, who, despite being a despicable, deplorable human being and Lockon's murderer, I actually like and is the most believable out of 00's antagonists [since people such as Graham, Soma and the like I don't really consider villains -- they just happen to oppose Celestial Being's ways]. As for Hohenheim, Hohopapa has always been my favorite from FMA, and even though he didn't get much screen time in the original anime [if the sequel is a direct representation of the manga,then he should be getting a lot more], his voice was perfect for him.

Kirk Thornton
My favorite roles: Jin [Samurai Champloo], Jade Curtiss [Tales of the Abyss]
Notable roles: Hideo Kuze [Ghost in the Shell SAC: 2nd Gig], Saix [Kingdom Hearts II], Kaname Ougi [Code Geass], and as for others, looking him up is advised, since his resume is staggering. XD

Kirk was originally the type to voice the older, grouchy type, but in recent years, he's been voicing the mostly quiet but amazingly awesome badass demographic [which can't really be said for Jade, because when he DOES talk, he speaks a mile a minute so he doesn't have to repeat himself, haha]. His voice is just sexy in the roles I've heard [I better stop using that word or else I'll be beating it into the ground with most of these people >_>], and his normal speaking voice is actually rather pleasant to listen to, as well. But I highly doubt any of you are taking this seriously and are convinced I'm only mentioning him because of him voicing my favorite sexyman, so lets move on...

Kari Wahlgren
My favorite roles: Haruhara Haruko [FLCL], Anemone [Eureka 7], Fuu [Samurai Champloo]
Notable roles: Kagami Hiiragi [Lucky Star], Tsuruya-san [Haruhi Suzumiya], Raine Sage [Tales of Symphonia], Cher Degre [Wolf's Rain], Robin Sena [Witch Hunter Robin], Shino [.hack//G.U.]

Gah, it was all I could do not to list off EVERY role I know her as. XD I think most people will remember her as Haruko [or first encountered her that way]...which is great! FLCL is actually my favorite English dub of all time. But obviously that's not her only role, lol. Her Anemone was dead on and perfect, as well as her work as Fuu. Most of her roles are similar, the cunning, young type. But the one role in which she sounds like a totally different person is her role as Raine. I had no idea it was her until I looked it up [and when I was looking her up just now, I couldn't remember if it was her or not XD]. Definitely a great actress, my favorite female VA.

And now, one of the...two, three Japanese VAs I pay any attention to!!!

Kamiya Hiroshi
My favorite roles: Nozomu Itoshiki [Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei], Tieria Erde [Gundam 00]
Notable roles: ...I'm too tired to type them out. Just look at them here XP

Oh goodness. I first heard him as Nozomu, but I had no freaking idea that he was also the voice of Tieria until it was pointed out to me. Much OMG WTF THAT IS AMAZING was had. But dang, the guy is amazing. I don't pay too much attention to Japanese VAs, even with my watching of subs, but he's one of the few I pay attention to and admire. I could listen to both his Tieria and Nozomu voices all day and never get tired of it. And sheesh, the guy started out looking like a total fop, and now he's...a sexy beast. See for yourself.

Originally Posted by Sangome

Given that I'm far more familiar with English VAs than Japanese VAs, I'll start off with those. Apologies if I use any that you all deem "overused" :P [And a majority of them I know through video games, too XD]

Scott McNeil
My favorite roles: Hohenheim of Light [Fullmetal Alchemist], Ali Al-Saachez [Gundam 00]
Notable roles: Kouga [Inuyasha], Duo Maxwell [Gundam Wing], Piccolo [in the original Dragonball Z dub]

It's SCOTT FREAKIN' MCNEIL, DUDES. COME ON.

Seriously though, I'm in love with the man's voice. It's very rugged and sexy, which is weird, since that's not the character type I usually go for, heh. He plays a mean Ali, who, despite being a despicable, deplorable human being and Lockon's murderer, I actually like and is the most believable out of 00's antagonists [since people such as Graham, Soma and the like I don't really consider villains -- they just happen to oppose Celestial Being's ways]. As for Hohenheim, Hohopapa has always been my favorite from FMA, and even though he didn't get much screen time in the original anime [if the sequel is a direct representation of the manga,then he should be getting a lot more], his voice was perfect for him.

Kirk Thornton
My favorite roles: Jin [Samurai Champloo], Jade Curtiss [Tales of the Abyss]
Notable roles: Hideo Kuze [Ghost in the Shell SAC: 2nd Gig], Saix [Kingdom Hearts II], Kaname Ougi [Code Geass], and as for others, looking him up is advised, since his resume is staggering. XD

Kirk was originally the type to voice the older, grouchy type, but in recent years, he's been voicing the mostly quiet but amazingly awesome badass demographic [which can't really be said for Jade, because when he DOES talk, he speaks a mile a minute so he doesn't have to repeat himself, haha]. His voice is just sexy in the roles I've heard [I better stop using that word or else I'll be beating it into the ground with most of these people >_>], and his normal speaking voice is actually rather pleasant to listen to, as well. But I highly doubt any of you are taking this seriously and are convinced I'm only mentioning him because of him voicing my favorite sexyman, so lets move on...

Kari Wahlgren
My favorite roles: Haruhara Haruko [FLCL], Anemone [Eureka 7], Fuu [Samurai Champloo]
Notable roles: Kagami Hiiragi [Lucky Star], Tsuruya-san [Haruhi Suzumiya], Raine Sage [Tales of Symphonia], Cher Degre [Wolf's Rain], Robin Sena [Witch Hunter Robin], Shino [.hack//G.U.]

Gah, it was all I could do not to list off EVERY role I know her as. XD I think most people will remember her as Haruko [or first encountered her that way]...which is great! FLCL is actually my favorite English dub of all time. But obviously that's not her only role, lol. Her Anemone was dead on and perfect, as well as her work as Fuu. Most of her roles are similar, the cunning, young type. But the one role in which she sounds like a totally different person is her role as Raine. I had no idea it was her until I looked it up [and when I was looking her up just now, I couldn't remember if it was her or not XD]. Definitely a great actress, my favorite female VA.

And now, one of the...two, three Japanese VAs I pay any attention to!!!

Kamiya Hiroshi
My favorite roles: Nozomu Itoshiki [Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei], Tieria Erde [Gundam 00]
Notable roles: ...I'm too tired to type them out. Just look at them here XP

Oh goodness. I first heard him as Nozomu, but I had no freaking idea that he was also the voice of Tieria until it was pointed out to me. Much OMG WTF THAT IS AMAZING was had. But dang, the guy is amazing. I don't pay too much attention to Japanese VAs, even with my watching of subs, but he's one of the few I pay attention to and admire. I could listen to both his Tieria and Nozomu voices all day and never get tired of it. And sheesh, the guy started out looking like a total fop, and now he's...a sexy beast. See for yourself.

Just to point this out: Kari Walhgren's most notable roles has to include Blood+'s Saya. I mean, come on, she made that girl sound halfway decent!

Originally Posted by Aurgelmir

Just to point this out: Kari Walhgren's most notable roles has to include Blood+'s Saya. I mean, come on, she made that girl sound halfway decent!

I never liked Blood+, so I didn't really bother to list her for that. Sorry. :P

If you want, you can make your OWN post and credit her for it.

Same here, and I'm not so certain that Blood+ did all that well here in the states. (no repeats) If anything, I found Kari to be more annoying as Saya, (Not so much as Riku though) but I blame the character for the annoyances, though, because Kari is very talented. I liked her more in IGPX as Satomi.