Sabo's new voice in One Piece anime and where you've heard it before

Modified Aug 17, 2024 21:30 GMT

Miyu Irino stands out in voice acting and is now lending his voice to the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo, in One Piece. He has lent his vocal talent to beloved characters such as Kōshi Sugawara from Haikyuu!! and Sora from the famous Kingdom Hearts video game series, making a notable transition to portraying Sabo in the One Piece anime.

Sabo, a prominent character and a high-ranking member of the Revolutionary Army who shares a deep connection with Luffy, has garnered a lot of affection from fans. His complex history, which can be difficult to convey, contributes to his growing popularity. Although there are mixed opinions regarding Irino's portrayal, it remains somewhat unpredictable, particularly following Tōru Furuya's departure from this iconic role.

This change has sparked considerable conversation. With a distinguished background in voice acting, Miyu Irino has undeniably breathed life into well-known characters. His debut in episode 1116 is filled with anticipation and a fresh yet familiar vocal interpretation, effectively capturing the essence of the character.

One Piece: Miyu Irino to take over as Sabo's new voice actor

Sabo is the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army (Image via Toei Animation)

The X account for the One Piece franchise announced that Miyu Irino will voice Sabo in the animated series. Known for voicing Sora in Kingdom Hearts and Kōshi Sugawara in Haikyuu!!, he also portrayed Ritsu Kageyama in Mob Psycho 100. His role as Sabo will debut in episode 1116, airing this Sunday. Profound changes in the voice performance landscape affected Furuya Tōru's career, marked by significant roles such as Sabo in One Piece and Tōru Amuro in Detective Conan.

These pivotal performances ended in June, coinciding with a scandal involving an extramarital affair with a fan, as reported by Weekly Bunshun in January and resurfacing in May. As Furuya acknowledged the allegations, his presence in entertainment diminished, revealing a complicated and distorted narrative.

One Piece: Who is Toru Furuya, Sabo's previous voice actor?

Sabo ate the Mera Mera no mi after Ace's death (Image via Toei Animation)

Yokohama, Kanagawa, is historically significant as the birthplace of Tōru Furuya on July 31, 1953. He is recognized in Japanese performance arts as an actor and voice actor, with early career beginnings in the children's troupe Gekidan Himawari.

In 1982, Furuya began his work with Aoni Production, establishing himself in the entertainment industry. He voiced numerous iconic anime characters, including Amuro Ray from Gundam, Hyūma Hoshi from The Star of the Giants, Pegasus Seiya from Saint Seiya, Yamcha from Dragon Ball, Kyōsuke Kasuga from Kimagure Orange Road, and Tuxedo Mask from Sailor Moon.

Sabo as shown in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

These roles are the highlights of his career, but the variety of characters he voiced can create a disjointed perception. This lack of coherence may lead to a vague and superficial understanding of his overall impact in the industry. His voice has brought animated characters to life since 1986, notably as Mario in Super Mario Bros., where he saves Princess Peach.

He also voiced Allelujah Haptism and Ribbons Almark in Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and Zen Kirishima in Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi. He chose the name used for narrating Gundam 00 and is also credited with voicing Yuen Biao, a well-known Hong Kong action star, in the Japanese dub, though it wasn't a widely recognized role.

Final thoughts

A snapshot from the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

Miyu Irino's debut as Sabo in One Piece marks a significant transition for the character, following the departure of Tōru Furuya amid controversy. Fans of Irino will recognize his voice from iconic roles like Sora in Kingdom Hearts and Ritsu in Mob Psycho 100, making him a fitting choice to continue Sabo's journey.

As the Flame Emperor and a pivotal figure in the Revolutionary Army, Sabo's character demands a voice that can convey both strength and emotional depth—qualities Irino is well-known for. With his rich experience, Irino is poised to bring new dimensions to Sabo's character.