When you think about the voices that bring beloved characters to life in Japanese animation and other forms of media, one name often comes up, and that's Takahiro Sakurai. Born on June 13, 1974, this individual from Aichi Prefecture, Japan, has made quite a mark as a voice performer, a person who tells stories, and someone you hear on the radio. His contributions have certainly shaped how many people experience their favorite stories, so you might say he has a significant presence in that world of entertainment.
You might, in fact, already be quite familiar with some of the characters he has given a vocal presence to, perhaps without even realizing it. He is widely recognized for lending his voice to figures like Cloud Strife, a very well-known character from a popular game series, and Suzaku Kururugi, a central person from a widely watched animated series. Then there's Rohan Kishibe, a character who truly stands out in his own particular story. These are just a few examples, of course, but they certainly give a picture of the range and impact his voice work has had, and actually, it’s quite impressive how many distinct personalities he brings forth.
For anyone keen to explore more about his work and the many roles he has taken on, there are places where you can look. Websites dedicated to anime and manga, for instance, offer a chance to look at his contributions within that specific entertainment space. You can often find a visual rundown of his career, seeing hundreds of pictures of the characters he has voiced, which really helps to put a face to the voice, you know, and just a little bit more about his journey.
Table of Contents
- Getting to Know Takahiro Sakurai
- What Roles Has Takahiro Sakurai Played?
- How Did Takahiro Sakurai Start His Career?
- Where Can You Find More About Takahiro Sakurai's Work?
- Takahiro Sakurai's Journey in the Entertainment World
- Is Takahiro Sakurai Still Active in the Industry?
- Beyond the Microphone - Takahiro Sakurai's Personal Side
- What Kind of Characters Does Takahiro Sakurai Often Portray?
Getting to Know Takahiro Sakurai
Takahiro Sakurai, the individual we are discussing, was born on the thirteenth day of June in the year 1974. His birthplace was Okazaki, a city within the Aichi Prefecture in Japan, which is where he hails from. He is, to be quite direct, a Japanese voice performer, someone who lends their voice to various projects, and also has experience as a producer, which is interesting. You might, in fact, recognize his work from a few big productions, such as the widely known "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children," which came out in 2005. He also contributed to "Code Geass" starting in 2006, and a more recent and very popular series, "Demon Slayer." So, you know, he has been involved in some rather significant pieces of entertainment.
It seems that his family, in his earlier years, had a business that managed a rice shop, which is a bit of a unique detail about his background. During his younger days, he apparently began to show an interest in the entertainment sector, which eventually led him down the path he is on now. This early curiosity, you might say, set the stage for his future professional life, and it's quite something to think about how those initial sparks of interest can lead to such a prominent career, is that not so?
Personal Details - Takahiro Sakurai
| Full Name | Takahiro Sakurai (櫻井 孝宏) |
| Date of Birth | June 13, 1974 |
| Place of Birth | Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, Japan |
| Profession | Voice Actor, Narrator, Radio Personality, Producer |
| Height | 176 centimeters (5 feet, 9 inches) |
What Roles Has Takahiro Sakurai Played?
When thinking about Takahiro Sakurai's professional life, a very significant part of it involves the many characters he has helped bring to life with his vocal skills. He is, for many people, the voice behind Cloud Strife from the "Final Fantasy VII" series, a character who has a special place in the hearts of many game players. Then there's Suzaku Kururugi from "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion," a figure known for his complex personality and journey within that story. Another character that comes to mind is Rohan Kishibe from "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable," someone with a very distinct way of being. These are, you might say, some of the very well-known roles that people associate with his vocal presence, and they certainly show a good bit of his range, actually.
He has also been recognized for his work as Giyuu Tomioka in "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," a series that has captured a huge audience in recent times. And let's not forget Arataka Reigen, a character from "Mob Psycho 100," who offers a rather different kind of energy compared to some of his other portrayals. It’s quite interesting, too, how he manages to give each of these characters a voice that truly fits them, making them feel like real individuals to the audience. You know, it's a special skill to be able to do that consistently across so many different types of stories and personalities, and it just shows how much care he puts into his work, perhaps.
How Did Takahiro Sakurai Start His Career?
Takahiro Sakurai's professional path in the world of voice acting began a good while ago, you know, back in 1996. That's when he first started his career as a seiyū, which is the Japanese term for a voice actor. Before that, he received some training at the Yoyogi Animation Academy's Nagoya school, specifically in their acting institute. This period of study, you could say, helped him get ready for the work he would do later on, giving him a foundation in the craft. It's often the case that people who go into this kind of work spend time learning the ropes, so to speak, and it seems he did just that.
He was, at one point, a part of a group called 81 Produce, which is an agency that represents voice performers. This was a significant part of his early career, providing him with opportunities and support as he built his professional standing. Then, in July of 2014, specifically on the twentieth day of that month, he moved to a different agency called Intention. This move was to an agency that was started by his colleague and good friend, Ken'ichi Suzumura, which is rather interesting, actually. It suggests a certain level of trust and professional connection there, you know, moving to work with someone he knew well. He has, apparently, since become a freelancer, which means he works independently now, perhaps taking on projects as they come, which is a different kind of setup for a voice performer.
Where Can You Find More About Takahiro Sakurai's Work?
For those who are truly interested in exploring the full breadth of Takahiro Sakurai's contributions to anime and manga, there are some very helpful places to look. One of the most well-known spots, you might say, is MyAnimeList. This online platform is widely considered to be one of the biggest databases for information related to anime and manga, so it's a pretty comprehensive resource. On MyAnimeList, you can, for instance, find a lot of details about his specific roles within various animated series and manga adaptations. It provides a way to learn more about the characters he has voiced, and the different projects he has been a part of over the years, which is quite useful.
You can also often get a visual representation of his career on these kinds of sites. It's not uncommon to see hundreds of images of the characters he has brought to life, which can be a fun way to connect the voice to the visual design. This kind of visual walk-through really helps to show the sheer volume and variety of his work. So, if you're ever wondering about a particular character's voice or want to see just how many different roles Takahiro Sakurai has taken on, these online resources are typically where you'd want to start your search, and they offer a pretty good overview, in some respects.
Takahiro Sakurai's Journey in the Entertainment World
Takahiro Sakurai's path through the entertainment industry has certainly been a notable one, marked by a consistent presence and a wide array of work. He began his professional life as a voice performer in 1996, and from that point, he has built up a rather impressive list of credits. It's quite remarkable, you know, to see someone stay so active and contribute to so many different projects over such a long period. He was initially connected with the 81 Produce agency, which is a known name in the world of voice work, and that's where he spent a good portion of his earlier years in the business, learning and growing, you could say.
Then, as we touched on earlier, a significant shift happened in July 2014 when he moved to Intention. This agency, as it happens, was founded by Ken'ichi Suzumura, who is not just a colleague but also a close personal friend of Takahiro Sakurai. This kind of move, you know, often speaks to a desire for a different kind of professional environment or perhaps more creative freedom. It's a common thing for artists to seek out places where they feel they can do their best work, and this change in agencies seems to have been a part of his ongoing professional development, which is pretty common for people in creative fields, actually.
Is Takahiro Sakurai Still Active in the Industry?
Absolutely, Takahiro Sakurai continues to be a very active presence in the voice acting community. He is, in fact, recognized as one of the most consistently working voice performers in the industry today. This is quite evident when you consider the sheer number of roles he has taken on. He has, for instance, over eighty roles where he is actively contributing, and more than thirty of these are main characters, which is a rather significant count. This level of activity really shows his dedication and the ongoing demand for his vocal skills, you know, in various productions. It’s quite something to maintain such a busy schedule in a field that can be very competitive.
His work extends across various forms of media, from animated television shows and films to video games and radio programs. He is not just someone who provides voices for characters; he also works as a narrator and has a role as a radio personality, which shows a broad range of talents. This continued involvement in different aspects of the entertainment world indicates that he remains a sought-after talent. So, yes, to answer the question directly, he is very much still a part of the industry, contributing his unique vocal qualities to many new and ongoing projects, and it's clear he has a lasting impact on the field, really.
Beyond the Microphone - Takahiro Sakurai's Personal Side
While much of the public's focus is naturally on Takahiro Sakurai's professional output, there are a few details that offer a glimpse into the person behind the voices. For instance, we know a little about his physical stature. He stands at 176 centimeters, which translates to about 5 feet and 9 inches tall. This is just a small piece of information, of course, but it helps to form a slightly more complete picture of him. You know, it's sometimes interesting to put a physical dimension to a voice you hear so often, and it's just a little detail that adds to the overall picture of Takahiro Sakurai.
It also became known, in September of 2022, that he had been married for nearly two decades to a woman who was also a voice actress at one time. This fact had not been shared publicly until that point, which is fairly common for people in the public eye to keep certain parts of their lives private. The information came to light after a report was published, and he acknowledged it. This detail, you might say, offers a look into his personal life, showing that he has had a long-standing personal relationship, which is a significant part of anyone's life, and it just kind of rounds out the picture of Takahiro Sakurai, in a way.
What Kind of Characters Does Takahiro Sakurai Often Portray?
When you listen to the wide variety of characters Takahiro Sakurai has voiced, you might notice some patterns in the types of roles he often takes on. He is, for example, frequently chosen to provide the voice for young characters. This suggests that his voice has qualities that lend themselves well to portraying individuals who are in their younger years, perhaps with a certain youthful energy or innocence. It's a common thing for voice performers to develop a reputation for certain character archetypes, and for Takahiro Sakurai, that often includes younger figures, which is quite interesting, you know, to see that consistency.
Additionally, many of his roles involve characters who are considered to be good-looking, and quite often, they possess a charming quality about them. This is a recurring theme in his work, where he gives a vocal presence to individuals who are meant to be appealing or charismatic within their stories. However, it's also worth noting that his range is not limited to just these types. He has, in fact, also voiced characters who are quite different from the handsome and charming sort, showing that he can adapt his vocal performance to suit a variety of personalities and story needs. This versatility, you might say, is a key part of what makes him such a respected and busy voice performer, and it really highlights his skill as an actor, too, in some respects.
