Same Voice, Different Character and Vice Versa

Now, as there are very few good voice talents out there, it is natural that some voice actors are reused. There are cases where they are able to change their voice so much that they sound completely different, but still deliver perfect dialogue.

Let’s check out some examples. You might be surprised. (^.^)

– Yukana

(C.C., Li Meiling, Teletha Testarossa)

– Hayashibara Megumi

(Ayanami Rei, Evangelion, Slayers)

– Mizuhashi Kaori

(Ogiue Chika, Yuno, Laharl, Shimada Minami)

– Sato Rina

(Misaka Mikoto, Negi Springfield)

– Mizuhara Kaoru

(Isayama Yomi, Kusakabe Misao)

– Chihara Minori

(Tsuchimiya Kagura, Nagato Yuki)

– Orikasa Fumiko

(Matsuoka Miu, Makino Ruki, Shirley Fenette)

– Koshimizu Ami

(Kozuki Kallen, Tsukamoto Tenma, Haramura Nodoka)

– Endo Aya

(Takara Miyuki, Sheryl Nome)

– Fukurara Kaori

(Hiiragi Tsukasa, Astraea, Koromo)

– Matsuoka Yuki

(Evangeline A.K. McDowell, Tsuruya)

– Tomatsu Haruka

(Nagi, Marui Hitoha)

– Kato Emiri

(Hiiragi Kagami, Kinoshita Hideyoshi)

– Horie Yui

(Tsukimiya Ayu, Kushieda Minori, Sasaki Makie)

– Kuwashima Hoko

(Sakagami Tomoyo, Matsura Nanase)

– Kanda Akemi

(Fujibayashi Ryou, Kagurazaka Asuna)

– Hirohashi Ryo

(Fujibayashi Kyou, Kawazoe Tamaki)

– Hanazawa Kana

(Zange, Tachibana Kanade, Kusano)

– Kawasumi Ayako

(Saber, Ando Mahoro, Sakuragi Matsuri)

– Hayami Saori

(Icaros, Musubi)

– Tamura Yukari

(Kawasumi Mai, Takamachi Nanoha, M9 AI)

– Nakahara Mai

(Furukawa Nagisa, Ryugu Rena)

and of course:

– Hirano Aya

(Suzumiya Haruhi, Konata Izumi)

These seiyuus voice characters that have such differing personalities and voices that is is extremely hard to tell them apart. However, other times, there are characters who are similar in personalities that are voiced by the same person.

Yup, you guessed it, one of the most notable examples would be superstar tsundere seiyuu, Kugimiya Rie. Aside from her many fantastic roles in a myriad of animes, she’s most famous for lending her voice to a number of tsundere characters including:

Shana from Shakugan no Shana
Louise from Zero no Tsukaima
Nagi from Hayate the Combat Butler
Taiga from Tora Dora!

While she certainly can change her voice as seen in her other spectacular roles, she seems to give a similar take on all the above characters.

For me, when I watched any of the above shows, I somehow kept seeing the other characters. For instance, ‘Urusai’ is most associated with Shana right? Each time Louise, Taiga or Nagi says it, bam! Shana pops to mind. Personally, this makes me feel somewhat disconnected with the characters as they don’t seem to have a unique individual identity.

Some other examples of characters that share a similar voice:

– Toyosaki Aki

(Hirasawa Yui, Kazari Uiharu)

– Noto Mamiko

(Miyazaki Nodoka, Ana Coppola, Ichinose Kotomi)

– Yukino Satsuki

(Chidori Kaname, Kasukabe Saki, Sumiregawa Nenene)

But of course, using the same voice for different characters isn’t always a bad thing. In the cases of the 4 seiyuu I mentioned above, their voices sound so good and fit each and every character so well, that you don’t really mind. Besides, I’m a huge, huge fan of all of them and they are more than capable of tweaking and altering their voices. For instance, Kugimiya Rie voiced Alphonse Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist and Toyosaki Aki voiced Ryugu Otohime from Ookami-san to Shichinin no Namama-tachi.

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I do hope that this article has been somewhat informative, if not at least entertaining. It took quite some time to do the research, take screencaps and compile everything together. So, were you ever surprised to find out that the voice actor/actress of one character to be the same as another? Do you get affected when different characters share similar voices and have you come across any other examples?