Naruto and One Piece have several commonalities. Both share the title of the Big 3 of Shonen Jump along with Bleach. But other than that, the series has an impressive cast of voice actors who made their mark in the industry. One of them is Showtaro Morikubo whose recent update has fans in disbelief.
Morikubo is a seasoned voice actor who has worked in Eiichiro Oda as well as Masashi Kishimoto’s series. His retirement was hinted through the recent updates but one thing is certain. This doesn’t diminish his pivotal role as a VA in the anime and video game industry, especially with his impressive roster.
Naruto voice actor hints at retirement
It isn’t uncommon for voice actors to work in a top-notch franchise and Naruto is no exception. From Junko Takeuchi to Toshiyuki Morikawa, the series set the stage for voice artists to hone their versatility. And the same goes for Showtaro Morikubo who is a seasoned as well as multifaceted artist.
From Bleach to One Piece, he has voiced several iconic characters but that is not the end of it all. He is also a singer who has released his albums as well as singles. Other than that, he lent his voice to both video games, live-action as well as dub.
You may know him as Shikamaru in Naruto or Bartolomeo in One Piece but Morikubo san is impeccable in every sense. From laid back teens to fierce mavericks, he has voiced them all. But his career may have come to halt especially with the recent updates regarding his roles.
Recently, Anime News Network confirmed the voice actor’s stepdown from Arknights game role. He was supposed to voice Elysium but the official X handle confirmed his departure. This isnt a first considering the beef the voice actor had with Aoni Production which led to him leaving the agency.
So far, his retirement hasn’t been confirmed and remains a speculation. It is valid considering the feuds and disputes voice artists have with their respective agencies. It is an entertainment arena after all but that doesn’t dilute his presence and contribution to the anime industry in any case.
Showtaro Morikubo’s roster of work
Not only video games, but Showtaro Morikubo has worked on an array of projects in the animation industry. He lent his voice to Japanese dubs for various live-action series including Tai Chi 0, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Final Destination 3.
But what truly stands commendable is his career in anime that spans over forty years. It isnt merely fourt decades that make him a seasoned artist but his portfolio of work. Other than Shikamaru and Bartolomeo, he voiced notable characters in anime franchise.
His notable roles include Gomah (Dragon Ball Daima), Yosuke Hanamura (Persona 4), Zagred (Black Clover), Shamil Volkov (Dr. Stone), and so on. This highlights his finesse as a diverse and versatile voice actor but here are some of his widely recognized roles in anime:
| Series | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Naruto | 2002 | Shikamaru |
| Zatch Bell | 2003 | Haruhiko |
| Samurai Champloo | 2004 | Hankichi |
| Bakuman | 2010 | Koji Makaino |
| Hakuoki | 2010 | Okita Souji |
| Persona 4 | 2011 | Yosuke Hanamura |
| Uta no Prince Sama | 2013 | Reiji Kotobuki |
| One Piece | 2014 | Bartolomeo |
| Star Myu | 2015 | Kyoji Akatsuki |
| Dragon Ball Daima | 2024 | Gomah |
Truly, Morikubo is a well-rounded artist whose brilliance cannot be boiled down to a single forte. He is a singer and a voice actor actively involved in theatre as well as on screen productions which makes one thing certain.
Whether or not he chose retirement is yet to be confirmed but all we know is that he is an accomplished artist. Him stepping down from important roles may have several reasons which are yet to be unmasked. The voice actor indeed deserves all the praise for breathing life into different characters.
One Piece and Naruto are available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Shueisha’s Manga Plus app.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
