One Piece Reveals Franky’s New Voice Actor: An Ideal Choice for Fans

The recently concluded Jump Festa 2024 delivered a slew of exciting announcements for fans, notably for those who follow One Piece. A significant moment was the retirement of Kazuki Yao, who has been the esteemed Japanese voice actor for Franky. While Yao’s portrayal of the beloved character will certainly be missed, the newly announced voice actor is poised to bring a fresh perspective to the role.

During the event, it was officially revealed that Kimura Subaru will take over the character of Franky from Yao. The announcement was accompanied by a nostalgic highlight reel showcasing some of Franky’s most memorable moments throughout the series, leading to the touching moment of Kimura Subaru embracing Yao on stage, symbolizing the transition of responsibility from a veteran to a new talent.

Kimura Subaru Takes the Helm as Franky

Franky reacting to Luffy's dream in One Piece

Yao made his retirement announcement via a post on his X account on December 7th. Yao, who has lent his voice to multiple characters in this beloved series, previously transitioned his role as Jango to Wataru Takagi. The official X account of One Piece attributed Yao’s departure to health issues, which makes his decision to step aside from voicing Franky understandable since he has been with the show since 2005. Now at 64, the actor may feel disconnected from his long-held iconic role.

A Transformative Year: 2024 for One Piece Voice Actors

Yao is Not the Only Voice Actor to Depart in 2024

Scene from One Piece Episode 1117 featuring Sabo

Scene from One Piece Episode 1120 with Sabo

Sadly, Yao isn’t alone in his departure from the franchise. In July 2024, Tesshō Genda, the voice of Kaido, also left due to health concerns, following the climactic events of the Wano arc. While Kaido’s major narrative arc concluded, any future projects may necessitate a new voice actor for the character in flashbacks or side content.

Another notable exit came from Toru Furuya, who stepped down from voicing Luffy’s brother Sabo amid controversy regarding allegations of personal misconduct. Furuya, renowned for his role as Yamcha in Dragon Ball, faced significant public scrutiny which ultimately led to his resignation. Veteran voice actress Junko Takeuchi has since taken over the character, continuing the legacy of this fan-favorite.

While the shifts in voice talent have elicited varied reactions from fans, it’s noteworthy that these transitions have unfolded within the same year. Nevertheless, the One Piece franchise boasts a remarkable voice cast, giving fans confidence that the new actors, although different from Yao and others, will deliver memorable performances.

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