As a hardcore anime fan, I’ve gotta profess my love for one voice actor who I’m absolutely obsessed with – the great Kenjiro Tsuda! His voice just gives me chills whenever I hear it, sending tingles down my spine. There’s seriously no other voice actor like him.
Once Kenjiro Tsuda starts talking in his deep, velvety baritone, I’m immediately hooked. It’s like his voice casts a spell on me, drawing me into whatever anime he’s in. I’ll watch a show just because I see his name in the credits! His voice is just so distinctive and memorable that I feel like he elevates any character he plays.
What I love is how versatile Tsuda’s voice is too. He can be serious, hilarious, heroic, chilling or any mood in between. His voice oozes confidence and authority, so he’s brilliant at playing strong, badass characters. But he’s just as great at eccentric, energetic roles too. Tsuda really disappears fully into every role, making the characters feel real.
Let me gush a bit more about some of my favorite Kenjiro Tsuda characters:
1. Overhaul (My Hero Academia)
You can’t talk about Kenjiro Tsuda’s villain roles without mentioning his chilling performance as Overhaul in My Hero Academia. As the ruthless Yakuza leader of the Shie Hassaikai, Tsuda’s deep, menacing tone is perfect for capturing Overhaul’s sinister personality and twisted worldview. I got legit chills when I heard Tsuda start monologuing as Overhaul, especially when expressing that creepy hatred of Quirks for the first time.
But what makes Tsuda’s acting so great is he also nails the more understated moments, like when Overhaul’s facade briefly cracks to show his fanatical obsession with “restoring” society. The way Tsuda delivers those obsessed rants, you completely buy into the character’s terrifying conviction. I’ve got to applaud Tsuda for making Overhaul feel like a legitimately unsettling threat thanks to his unconventional philosophy. He takes what could have been a one-note villain and injects real nuance thanks to his incredible dramatic range. Tsuda’s voice work as Overhaul is easily some of the best villain acting I’ve heard in any anime!
2. Joker (Fire Force)
Kenjiro Tsuda knocks it out of the park again voicing the complicated character of Joker in Fire Force. As the pyrokinetic assassin who lives for chaos and violence, Tsuda’s voice has this dangerous, unhinged edge that makes Joker so creepily unpredictable. When he starts giggling maniacally mid-fight, you get chills thanks to Tsuda’s committed performance.
But the great thing is, Tsuda also captures Joker’s more reflective, philosophical side stemming from his traumatic past. You can hear the pain and cynicism in his voice during certain scenes as Joker grapples with humanity’s cruelty. Tsuda delivers these moments with such raw emotion. I love how he conveys there’s more going on under Joker’s sadistic facade.
That multidimensional acting is why I totally bought into Joker’s redemption arc when he allies with Company 8. The subtle shifts in tone Tsuda gives chart Joker’s growth perfectly. And Tsuda still keeps that touch of gleeful madness throughout, so the character stays super engaging. Whether unhinged pyromaniac or recovering antihero, Kenjiro Tsuda’s outstanding voice work makes Joker one of my favorite characters in Fire Force, hands down. Tsuda’s talent is truly inferno-level!
3. Hannes (Attack On Titan)
In Attack on Titan, Kenjiro Tsuda takes on the role of the brash yet good-hearted Hannes, bringing his trademark flair even to this supporting character. As a member of the Garrison Regiment tasked with protecting the Walls, Tsuda’s voice captures Hannes’ boisterous confidence while also hinting at his deeper regrets.
I love when Tsuda delivers Hannes’ more vulgar jokes with that rough-around-the-edges humor. But he also nails the emotional moments, like Hannes grappling with survivor’s guilt over not saving Eren’s mother years ago. You can hear the pain and self-loathing in his voice. Tsuda really rounds out what could have been a one-note comedic character with these poignant scenes.
And when Hannes ultimately gives his life trying to defeat the Titan that killed Eren’s mom, the raw desperation Tsuda brings to the scene gives me chills. Through all the bombast and humor, Tsuda ensured Hannes’ heroism shone through. His voice acting made Hannes truly memorable for me, even in a supporting role. Tsuda can clearly do it all!
4. Atomic Samurai (One Punch Man)
Kenjiro Tsuda is hilarious as the arrogant swordsman hero Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man. He perfectly captures that smug, superior attitude as Kamikaze brushes off other heroes like Saitama, thinking no one can match his skills. I crack up every time Tsuda delivers another boastful one-liner as Atomic Samurai.
But Tsuda also nails the more dutiful, honorable side of the character as well. You can hear the sincerity when Atomic Samurai talks about upholding the ideals of a true hero, even if his methods are a bit ego-driven. Tsuda finds the right balance between self-importance and nobility.
And when Atomic Samurai eventually witnesses Saitama’s real power, the stunned disbelief Tsuda conveys is priceless. It’s a real testament to his talent that he can make Atomic Samurai both laugh-out-loud arrogant yet sympathetic at times. The character stays entertaining thanks to Tsuda’s fantastic comedic timing and voice work. Gotta love that smooth smugness!
5. Kento Nanami (Jujutsu Kaisen)
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Kenjiro Tsuda voices the reserved jujitsu sorcerer Kento Nanami, bringing his trademark gravitas. As a mentor at the Tokyo school, Tsuda captures Nanami’s serious, no-nonsense attitude with that deep, smooth voice. But he also nails Nanami’s subtly caring side, like when quietly looking out for his students.
I love how Tsuda delivers Nanami’s dry, deadpan humor to offset his stern vibe. And when Nanami is in battle mode, Tsuda makes his battle cries resound with fiery intensity. Whether in low-key conversations or high-stakes fights, Tsuda’s excellent acting range shines through.
Kento Nanami easily could have been a boring stiff, but Tsuda’s nuanced performance makes him surprisingly endearing. The subtle warmth and humor he injects into the role brings Nanami to life. Tsuda proves once again he can grab your attention even relegated to supporting status. His voice work never fails to elevate any character!
6. Dainsleif (Genshin Impact)
In the popular anime-inspired game Genshin Impact, Kenjiro Tsuda lends his voice to the mysterious character Dainsleif, the former captain of the destroyed kingdom Khaenri’ah’s royal guard. Fans have rightly praised Tsuda for capturing both Dainsleif’s somber wisdom as well as emotional turmoil over his kingdom’s tragic fate.
With his deep, husky vocals, Tsuda conveys the weight of centuries of burden and regret in Dainsleif’s words. Yet there is also a note of restrained hope when he speaks of the future. The raw heartache Tsuda channels when Dainsleif describes Khaenri’ah’s cataclysmic destruction at the gods’ hands is truly powerful and moving.
Tsuda’s voice acting gives so much soul and complexity to this immortal, cursed warrior. Dainsleif could have easily felt stale, but Tsuda finds the humanity and passion in him. The grief and integrity Tsuda brings to Dainsleif make him one of Genshin Impact’s most memorable characters. His emotional performance stays with you long after Dainsleif’s scenes end.
7. Orsted (Jobless Reincarnation)
In Mushoku Tensei, Kenjiro Tsuda voices the brooding, cursed hero Orsted. With his trademark vocal gravitas, Tsuda captures Orsted’s stern intensity as well as fleeting hints of humanity.
Orsted could have easily been a one-note stoic warrior, but Tsuda’s acting conveys the nuances beneath his stony facade. You hear traces of sadness and weariness when Orsted reflects on his eternal struggles. And when interacting with the few allies he trusts, Tsuda adds touches of warmth to suggest Orsted’s buried kindness.
Tsuda also excels at the emotionally intense moments – you feel Orsted’s simmering rage when discussing those who have wronged him. Yet Tsuda ensures to not lose sight of Orsted’s fundamental integrity.
By the end, Tsuda has made Orsted feel like a truly complex, layered character despite his reserved nature. His subtle yet powerful performance reinforces Orsted’s presence as a somber, unyielding hero tragically shaped by cruel twists of fate. Tsuda’s acting makes you invested in and sympathetic towards this cursed, misunderstood soul.
8. Tatsu (The Way of The Househusband)
Last but not least, I have to mention Tsuda’s hilarious performance as former yakuza boss Tatsu in The Way of the Househusband. This is easily one of his most off-the-wall, wacky roles yet!
As Tatsu tries to adapt to the struggles of household chores, Tsuda’s deadpan delivery of Tatsu’s total bewilderment over things like grocery shopping had me laughing out loud. He finds the perfect balance between intimidating yakuza presence and domestic fish-out-of-water.
Tsuda also masters the physical comedy, like Tatsu sneaking around the house in “tacticool” gear taking his responsibilities way too seriously. His facial expressions and reactions are priceless!
But Tsuda also nails the sweeter moments as Tatsu’s love for his wife shines through his tough exterior. Overall, Tsuda makes Tatsu one of the most fun, endearing characters I’ve seen him portray. No wonder he even starred in a live-action ad as the character.
The Way of the Househusband proves Tsuda can venture way outside his usual intense roles and still be an absolute riot. His versatility truly knows no bounds!
Conclusion
And there you have it – a showcase of some of my personal favorite voice acting roles by the talented Kenjiro Tsuda! From sinister villains to hilarious goofballs, Tsuda’s impressive range allows him to breathe life into any character. His smooth, distinctive baritone is instantly recognizable and makes every scene more impactful. Whether in leading or supporting parts, Tsuda never fails to make his characters engaging and multidimensional.
Let me know in the comments if you’re also a fan of Kenjiro Tsuda’s voice work! I’d love to hear about other favorite characters of his that I didn’t include. And while you’re at it, share your most beloved voice actors as well. There’s so much incredible voice acting talent to appreciate in the anime world. But for me, Kenjiro Tsuda will always stand out as one of the greatest. His voice acting continuously leaves me in awe!
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