'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAALnAlL//xAAdEAACAgMAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEAAURByFR/9oACAEBAAE/ALN9aNDd7V3sPFWkNcKH4xk6R0fB6yHydNFCkaaymURQo7Cuf//EABgRAAMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAS/9oACAECAQE/AKVcUYdb/8QAGREAAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMAAQQR/9oACAEDAQE/AMuZTUAZjXZ//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One Piece was one of the anime that was a part of Jump Festa 2025, during which the new voice actor for Franky was revealed to be Subaru Kimura. The new actor was announced after the Straw Hat member's long-serving voice actor Kazuki Yao announced his retirement. Yao made the decision to retire at the age of 65 after working in the industry for 54 years.
The news of Yao's retirement hit the One Piece community hard since he added a lot of charisma and personality to Franky's character. However, Subaru Kimura himself has also proven his worth in several popular roles in the industry and is bound to be a fitting replacement as Franky's new voice actor.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series. Any opinion expressed here belongs to the author and not Sportskeeda as a publication.
Trending
Explaining who is Subaru Kimura, Franky's new voice actor in the One Piece anime
During Jump Fest 2025, One Piece was one of the series that revealed information about their upcoming projects. They also took the time to confirm Franky's new voice actor, Subaru Kimura, a few days after the current voice actor, Kazuki Yao, announced his retirement. It is worth noting that Yao was honored at the event as well.
Most anime fans likely know who Subaru Kimura is because of his role as Aoi Todo in Jujutsu Kaisen. His portrayal of the character's bravado and personality makes Subaru a very good fit as Franky's new voice actor. Additionally, both characters are very over the top and quite extroverted, thus making this choice a logical one.
Sports anime fans will know him for his portrayal of the iconic protagonist Hanamichi Sakuragi during The First Slam Dunk movie in 2022. He also voiced Satori Tendo in Haikyuu!! and Pesci in the fifth of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Golden Wind, thus displaying a significant amount of range as a voice actor.
The career and legacy of Kazuki Yao
While Subaru Kimura is a more than capable choice to be Franky's new voice actor in the anime, Kazuki Yao's retirement saddened the fandom. He is one of the most seasoned professionals in his industry whose portrayal of the Straw Hats' shipwright is quite popular due to the energy and life he injected into the character.
Yao's resume is a testament to his trajectory as a voice actor since he has been a part of Fullmetal Alchemist, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Detective Conan, Initial D, Death Note, Hunter X Hunter, Naruto, and many more. He may be remembered for his portrayal of Franky in the series, but fans will miss his professionalism and dedication in all the series he's worked in.
Final thoughts
The community will take some time to get used to Franky's new voice actor, but Subaru Kimura has a proven track record in the medium. It makes sense for Kazuki Yao to retire and enjoy the fruits of his decades of labor in the industry.
Related articles
- One Piece's Elbaph arc will be Oda at his best, and his own words prove it
- Moria likely joining One Piece's Cross Guild may be more problematic than fans think
- One Piece's latest chapter all but confirm Jaguar D. Saul as the Man Marked by Flames
- Shanks' return in the latest One Piece spoilers isn't what fans think
