One Piece fans, it’s time for a change on the Thousand Sunny. One of the main voice actors from the anime will be stepping aside due to health concerns. If you’re a fan of Franky, the cyborg shipwright of the Straw Hat Pirates, this news might surprise you.
Kazuki Yao Takes a Break
Kazuki Yao, who has voiced Franky for many years, is taking a break from his role. Yao has also voiced Jango, another character from the series. In an official statement, the One Piece team mentioned that Kazuki Yao will step away from the role of Jango due to health issues. While they haven’t confirmed if he’ll take a break from Franky, it seems likely given the situation.
This change will start with Episode 1121 of the anime, which is expected to air soon. It’s not clear if this break will be temporary or permanent for Franky, but for now, Jango’s voice will be taken over by another talented voice actor.
Who’s Taking Over?
Stepping in for Kazuki Yao as the voice of Jango is Wataru Takagi. If you’re a fan of anime, you may recognize his voice from popular shows like Naruto, where he voiced Obito, or Bleach, where he played Ganju. Wataru Takagi is no stranger to big roles, and fans are excited to see how he’ll bring Jango to life.
As of now, there’s no confirmation if Wataru Takagi will also voice Franky, or if someone else will take on that role. Fans will have to stay tuned to find out.
Kazuki Yao’s Impact
Kazuki Yao has made a huge mark on the anime world. In addition to Franky and Jango, he’s voiced characters like Mr. 2 Bonclay from One Piece and other memorable characters in anime such as Yoki from Fullmetal Alchemist and Gaston from Berserk. His contributions to the anime industry will be missed, and fans are wishing him the best as he focuses on his health.
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Other Voice Actor Changes in One Piece
This isn’t the first time One Piece has had to change a main character’s voice actor. Recently, the voice of Sabo, one of Luffy’s brothers, was also replaced due to a personal issue. Toru Furuya, who voiced Sabo, had to step away from his role, not only in One Piece but also in Dragon Ball Daima where he played Yamcha.
Changes like these can be tough for fans who have gotten used to hearing certain voices, but it’s a part of the anime world.
What’s Next for One Piece?
As the One Piece story continues in both the manga and anime, fans are more invested than ever. The final saga is underway, and with the popularity of Netflix’s live-action series, the Grand Line is gaining new fans worldwide.
For now, we’ll have to wait and see how the voice of Franky will be handled moving forward. In the meantime, fans are wishing Kazuki Yao a speedy recovery and are excited to hear Wataru Takagi’s take on Jango.
