12 Best Anime Voice Actors, Ranked

When it comes to anime, the best anime voice actors play a huge role in making characters feel real and memorable. Their voices stay with us long after the anime ends. Whether it’s a quiet scene or an intense battle, the right voice can give us chills, make us cry, or even laugh out loud.

This list celebrates 12 voice actors who have left a strong mark in the anime world. Each one of them has voiced some of the most famous characters in anime history. Their voices are unique, powerful, and filled with emotion. Let’s take a look at these amazing talents, ranked based on popularity, skills, and unforgettable performances.

UPDATE: This article was updated by Daksh Chaudhary on April 6th, 2025. We have added 2 more entries to the list, added new photos, and improved the content of the article.

ALSO READ: Top Weird Anime Movies Ranked: Bizarre Stories You’ll Never Forget

12/12 Saori Hayami

Saori Hayami has one of the softest and most calming voices in anime. Her voice feels gentle, but it can also become strong and powerful when needed. She is known for her wide range and clean pronunciation, which makes her perfect for emotional and serious roles.

You may know her as Shinobu from Demon Slayer, Yukino from My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, or Yor from Spy x Family. Her ability to bring grace and strength together makes her stand out. She also has a great singing voice, which adds even more charm to her roles.

11/12 Kenjiro Tsuda

With a captivating voice that exudes sensuality and versatility, Kenjiro Tsuda has been a prominent figure in anime voice acting since 1995. He's earned recognition for his roles as Seto Kaiba in Yu-Gi-Oh, Kento Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen, and Overhaul in My Hero Academia.

Beyond anime, Tsuda has showcased his talent in various TV dramas, films, and radio programs. His remarkable achievements include winning the Best Lead Actor Award at the 15th Seiyu Awards. A hardworking and talented individual, Tsuda continues to enchant audiences with his magnetic voice.

10/12 Akira Ishida

Renowned for his extraordinary vocal range and versatility, Akira Ishida is a highly acclaimed anime voice actor. He once astounded fans in a video, where he brilliantly portrayed seven family members, each with distinct speech patterns and tones.

Ishida's remarkable talent shines through in his notable roles such as Gaara in Naruto, Judeau in Berserk, and Zeref Dragneel in Fairy Tail. His ability to easily embody a wide range of characters while concealing his recognizable voice across multiple popular works leaves viewers surprised of his incredible skills.

9/12 Maaya Sakamoto

She is a highly versatile and celebrated anime voice actor known for her exceptional performances in various roles, including Haruhi Fujioka in Ouran High School Host Club, Shinobu Oshino in Monogatari, and Ciel Phantomhive in Black Butler.

ALSO READ: Best Anime Movies On Netflix

Maaya Sakamoto has also made notable contributions to theater, portraying Éponine in the Japanese version of Les Misérables. Sakamoto's musical collaborations with artists like Yoko Kanno and Steve Conte further highlight her talent.

8/12 Jun Fukuyama

Jun Fukuyama has a very flexible voice. He can sound gentle, playful, or even scary depending on the character. He’s known for his dramatic tone and great timing, which makes every scene exciting when he speaks.

One of his biggest roles is Lelouch from Code Geass, where he switches between a calm student and a powerful rebel. He also voiced Koro-sensei in Assassination Classroom, and both roles show how talented and expressive he is as a voice actor. Besides anime, he also lends his voice to Japanese versions of Western shows like Game of Thrones and Harry Potter.

7/12 Hiroshi Kamiya

Hiroshi Kamiya is a highly accomplished Japanese voice actor known for his roles as Natsume in Natsume's Book of Friends, Yato in Noragami, Izaya Orihara in Durarara!!, Trafalgar Law in One Piece, and Levi Ackerman in Attack on Titan.

He is also a radio show host and has contributed to Boys Love CDs in the BL genre. With a career starting in 1994, Kamiya's talent and versatility have made him one of the best anime voice actors known around the world.

6/12 Yuichi Nakamura

If you’ve ever watched an anime and thought, "Damn, this guy sounds cool," chances are it was Yuichi Nakamura. He’s the voice behind Satoru Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen, the overpowered Sorcerer who’s equal parts hilarious and terrifying. He also plays Gray Fullbuster from Fairy Tail, the ice wizard with a bad habit of stripping mid-fight.

Nakamura’s voice has this effortless charm - smooth, laid-back, but with a dangerous edge when needed. Whether he’s cracking jokes or delivering an emotional monologue, he always nails the vibe. Plus, his laugh is ridiculously iconic - just ask any Jujutsu Kaisen fan.

5/12 Megumi Hayashibara

Megumi Hayashibara voice actor for Pokemon

A renowned Japanese voice actress, singer, and radio personality, Megumi Hayashibara gained immense fame in the 1990s. She played iconic roles like Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion and Faye Valentine in Cowboy Bebop.

ALSO READ: Best Horror Anime On Netflix That Every Fan Needs To Watch

Notably, she voiced characters in Pokémon, including Jessie from Team Rocket, Ash's Pidgeotto and Pidgeot, and May's Skitty. Her talent and versatility have earned her admiration from anime fans worldwide.

4/12 Yuki Kaji

Since 2004, Yuki Kaji has been a prolific voice actor known for his signature scream as Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan. His other notable roles include Shoto Todoroki in My Hero Academia, Speed-o'-Sound Sonic in One-Punch Man, Meliodas in The Seven Deadly Sins, and Issei Hyodo in High School DxD.

Apart from his anime work, Kaji has been a part of a web radio series, variety show, and was once part of a four-person singing group. With his versatile performances and memorable characters, he has become a prominent figure in the anime industry.

3/12 Mayumi Tanaka

Mayumi Tanaka is one of the most respected voice actors in the anime industry. Her most famous role is Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece, which she has voiced since 1999. She also voiced Krillin in Dragon Ball, Pazu in Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and Koenma in Yu Yu Hakusho.

Tanaka has been active in the industry since the late 1970s, and her long career has earned her many awards. In 2011, she won the Kazue Takahashi Memorial Award at the Seiyu Awards, which honors voice actors who have had a big influence on anime. She once said that she treats Luffy like her own child, and fans can feel that love in every episode.

2/12 Masako Nozawa

Masako is the voice actor for Goku. Now, that's enough to prove that she's one of the best anime voice actors. Besides Son Goku, Masako is celebrated for portraying iconic characters like Gohan and Goten in Dragon Ball. Her exceptional talent in voicing male roles earned her the nickname The Eternal Boy among fans.

In 2017, she won two Guinness World Records for being the voice of Son Goku in Dragon Ball video games for 23 years and 218 days. Her long-lasting impact on the anime industry is remarkable and cherished by fans all around the world.

1/12 Mamoru Miyano

Mamoru Miyano delivered an unforgettable performance as Light Yagami in Death Note, impressing audiences with his chilling laughter. With a career starting in 1990, Miyano has won multiple awards, including Best Lead Actor at the 2011 Newtype Awards.

He's well-known for his roles in Bungou Stray Dogs, Free!, Steins; Gate, Hunter x Hunter, Haikyu!!, and Demon Slayer. When Mamoru Miyano performs a role, he goes all out, like he's living that role, making him one of the best anime voice actors to ever be born.