by November 2 marks the birthday of celebrated Japanese voice actor Akira Ishida, whose distinctive voice has brought countless memorable anime characters to life. To celebrate the occasion, Japanese entertainment website Anime! Anime! has revealed the results of its annual reader poll asking fans to name their favourite character voiced by Ishida.
The 2026 results have produced a familiar winner. Kotaro Katsura from Gintama has secured first place for the ninth consecutive year, receiving approximately 46% of the votes. Akaza from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba takes second place, while Nagisa Kaworu from Neon Genesis Evangelion finishes third, missing the runner-up position by just one vote.
The results highlight Ishida’s remarkable range as a voice actor. From Katsura’s straight-faced comedy to Akaza’s intense fighting spirit and Kaworu’s mysterious, gentle personality, his performances have left a lasting impression on audiences across different generations.
Akira Ishida: Celebrating the Career of a Beloved Voice Actor
Akira Ishida made his voice acting debut in the 1990s and has since built an extensive career across television anime, films, video games, and Japanese dubbing.
He is especially recognised for his clear, expressive voice and ability to portray characters with very different personalities. His performances often bring out subtle emotional details, whether he is playing a mysterious and reserved character, a powerful antagonist, or an eccentric comedy favourite.
His achievements include receiving the Best Supporting Actor award at the first Seiyu Awards in 2007. At the 20th Seiyu Awards in 2026, he was also selected for the fan-voted MVSMVS (Most Valuable Seiyu) honour.
Ishida continued to appear in a variety of projects during 2026, including Yomi no Tsugai, Iwamoto-senpai no Suisen, Battle Spirits [Re] Zekkai no Sora, and Shin Gekijōban Gintama: Yoshiwara Daienjō.
Another notable moment came in September 2026, when Titanic, featuring Ishida’s Japanese voice performance as Jack Dawson, was broadcast on NTV’s Friday Road Show for the first time in five years. The broadcast brought renewed attention to his work beyond anime.
His career has therefore reached audiences through a wide range of genres and formats, making the annual birthday poll an opportunity to celebrate not only his most popular characters but also the diversity of his performances.
2026 Favourite Character Poll: Survey Results and Voting Details
To mark Ishida’s birthday, Anime! Anime! once again conducted its reader survey, titled “Which Is Your Favourite Character Voiced by Akira Ishida?”
The voting period ran from October 20 to October 27, 2026, and the survey received 1,197 responses.
According to the published results, approximately 90% of respondents were women and 10% were men. The age breakdown also showed a strong response from younger fans: around 50% of participants were 19 or younger, while approximately 15% were in their twenties.
The survey included characters from a wide range of media, including television anime, films, games, and other productions. This allowed fans to choose from Ishida’s extensive body of work rather than limiting their votes to currently airing anime.
One particularly interesting detail is that the results include characters from productions spanning several decades. This demonstrates how Ishida’s performances continue to connect with both longtime anime viewers and younger audiences discovering his work through newer titles.
The poll also collected personal stories from fans who remembered the exact character or performance that first made them interested in voice acting.
1st Place: Kotaro Katsura – Gintama
1st place · Ninth consecutive year
Taking the top position once again is Kotaro Katsura from Gintama, who received approximately 46% of the total votes.
Katsura is a former Joui revolutionary and a samurai wanted by the authorities of the Edo government. He is a childhood friend of the series’ protagonist, Gintoki Sakata, and the two fought together during the Joui War, a conflict against the invading Amanto.
Although Katsura is introduced as a serious revolutionary, his personality is full of unexpected comedy. He often delivers ridiculous statements with a completely straight face, making his scenes especially entertaining.
“It’s not a wig, it’s Katsura!”
The phrase has become one of the character’s signature jokes and is closely associated with his unusual sense of humour.
Readers particularly enjoyed Ishida’s ability to perform Katsura’s absurd lines without losing the character’s serious expression. One fan commented that the contrast between Ishida’s usual public image and the unexpected dialogue he delivers as Katsura makes the performance even funnier.
Other memorable moments include Katsura’s high-pitched “Good evening, it’s Santa Claus” and his angry declaration about Elizabeth still eating. His rap performance, commonly remembered as “Joui ga JOY” or the “Katsurap,” also received special praise.
One respondent said they were surprised to hear Ishida perform a rap because singing is not something fans typically associate with the actor.
However, Katsura’s appeal is not limited to comedy. Fans also highlighted his serious side, particularly during important battles and emotional story arcs.
The Benizakura Arc was mentioned as one of his most memorable appearances. In one particularly striking moment, Katsura emerges from Elizabeth and attacks Takasugi. His short-haired appearance in the arc also earned praise from viewers.
Another fan recalled his performance during the Rakuyo Decisive Battle Arc, where Katsura faces Shokaku and demonstrates his strength as a samurai.
These comments explain why Katsura continues to dominate the annual poll. He is a character who can make viewers laugh one moment and impress them with his courage and determination the next.
Ishida’s ability to move naturally between these two sides is a major part of the character’s enduring popularity.
2nd Place: Akaza – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
2nd place · Second consecutive year
Akaza from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba takes second place for the second consecutive year, receiving approximately 6% of the votes.
Akaza is one of the Twelve Kizuki, a group of powerful demons serving Muzan Kibutsuji. He holds the position of Upper Rank Three and is known for his extraordinary combat abilities.
Unlike demons who rely primarily on weapons, Akaza specialises in close-range combat and uses his fists to fight powerful opponents. His obsession with strength and his desire to face increasingly powerful enemies are central parts of his personality.
Ishida’s performance gives Akaza an intense and aggressive voice that reflects his fighting spirit. His delivery becomes particularly powerful during battle scenes, where his enthusiasm for combat is impossible to miss.
Fans praised this intensity, with one respondent describing how Ishida successfully communicates Akaza’s passionate pursuit of strength through his forceful voice.
Another viewer particularly enjoyed the character’s habit of addressing opponents by their first names, which gives him an unexpectedly familiar and almost friendly quality despite his frightening nature.
Fans also remembered Akaza’s behaviour during scenes involving the Upper Ranks. Although he is an extremely dangerous demon, his expressions and reactions can sometimes make him appear surprisingly childish.
Akaza’s Human Identity: Hakuji
One of the biggest reasons fans praised Ishida’s performance is the contrast between Akaza and his human identity, Hakuji.
Before becoming a demon, Akaza was a human named Hakuji. His past reveals a much more complicated and emotional side of the character, giving viewers a deeper understanding of the person he once was.
Readers particularly admired the way Ishida changes his vocal performance between the demon and human versions of the character.
One fan commented that the difference is not limited to the overall atmosphere of the voice. Ishida also carefully adjusts his delivery to reflect Hakuji’s development from childhood to adolescence and adulthood.
This allows listeners to recognise changes in the character’s age, emotions, and experiences through his voice alone.
The emotional revelations surrounding Hakuji also made Akaza’s story especially memorable. Fans praised the combination of intense battles and the painful struggle to recover memories of his human life.
Some respondents also expressed sadness about the character’s conclusion, saying they would miss seeing Akaza after experiencing the full emotional depth of his story.
The second-place result reflects how strongly Ishida’s performance connected with viewers who appreciated both Akaza’s frightening power and the tragedy behind his human identity.
3rd Place: Nagisa Kaworu – Neon Genesis Evangelion
Nagisa Kaworu from Neon Genesis Evangelion takes third place, finishing just one vote behind Akaza.
Kaworu is a mysterious boy who appears as an Evangelion pilot and quickly becomes an important figure in the life of the protagonist, Shinji Ikari.
Unlike many of the other characters surrounding Shinji, Kaworu approaches him with warmth and acceptance. He shows affection toward Shinji and offers him emotional comfort during a period when the young protagonist is struggling with loneliness and insecurity.
His calm personality, mysterious background, and gentle way of speaking make him one of the most memorable characters in the franchise.
Ishida’s clear and delicate voice is a major part of Kaworu’s appeal. His performance gives the character an almost otherworldly quality, making him feel different from the other pilots and residents of the Evangelion world.
One reader recalled being captivated by Kaworu’s very first line:
“Singing is nice.”
For that fan, hearing the line marked the beginning of a lifelong interest in voice actors.
Another respondent praised the combination of calmness, mystery, and fragility in Ishida’s performance. They particularly remembered Kaworu’s first appearance, when he hums Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Despite having relatively limited screen time in the original television series, Kaworu has remained an exceptionally popular character among Evangelion fans.
One reader pointed out that it is remarkable for a character with such a short appearance in the original TV series to maintain such a strong following over the years.
His emotional connection with Shinji and Ishida’s distinctive vocal performance continue to make Kaworu one of the most recognisable characters in the franchise.
Other Fan-Favourite Characters Voiced by Akira Ishida
Beyond the top three, the survey received votes for many other characters from popular anime and game franchises.
The comments demonstrate that Ishida’s appeal extends far beyond his best-known comedy and villain roles. Fans also appreciate his performances in emotional dramas, fantasy adventures, science-fiction stories, and character-driven series.
Gaara – Naruto
Gaara from Naruto received praise for Ishida’s portrayal of his loneliness, sensitivity, and eventual personal growth.
Initially introduced as a cold and intimidating character, Gaara carries deep emotional scars from his childhood. His experiences gradually shape his understanding of friendship, trust, and leadership.
One fan praised Ishida’s ability to communicate the character’s emotional development through subtle changes in vocal tone and intonation.
The contrast between the lonely child and the more mature Gaara was especially appreciated. His voice reflects both the pain he has experienced and the strength and kindness he develops over time.
Guy Crimson – That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Another popular choice was Guy Crimson from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.
Guy is one of the most powerful Demon Lords in the series, but his personality is not always as intimidating as his reputation suggests. He can be playful, confident, and surprisingly casual when interacting with people he knows.
Fans particularly enjoyed the contrast between his immense power and his mischievous personality.
One reader praised Ishida’s ability to make Guy sound both commanding and charming, highlighting a bold and humorous remark he makes to an old acquaintance.
The respondent also mentioned that they had imagined Ishida’s voice for Guy even while reading the original light novel, making the casting especially satisfying.
Asuma Kagemori – Yomi no Tsugai
Asuma Kagemori from Yomi no Tsugai was another character highlighted by readers.
Asuma is described as someone whose personality can be difficult to read. Although he has a kind side, his unusual smile and suspicious appearance often make other characters question his intentions.
Fans praised how naturally Ishida’s voice fits this distinctive personality.
One respondent noted that Asuma sometimes says harsh things, but becomes increasingly endearing as the story progresses. Ishida’s performance helps maintain the balance between his suspicious exterior and more sympathetic qualities.
Kei – Science × Adventure Survival!
Kei from Science × Adventure Survival! also received attention.
While Ishida is often associated with cool, mysterious, or composed characters, Kei allows him to explore a much more expressive style of acting.
Fans enjoyed hearing the character laugh, become angry, cry, and react comically to different situations.
His intellectual explanations, reflecting his background as a medical student, were also praised. One respondent particularly enjoyed the unusual physical-performance scenes involving fever and vomiting, which offered a different example of Ishida’s acting range.
These comments show that fans appreciate not only the characters Ishida is most famous for, but also the less expected roles that allow him to demonstrate different aspects of his talent.
Why Akira Ishida’s Voice Acting Continues to Impress Fans
One of the most interesting aspects of the 2026 poll is the variety of characters represented.
Katsura, Akaza, and Kaworu are very different personalities. Katsura is an eccentric samurai whose serious expressions make his jokes even funnier. Akaza is a powerful demon driven by an obsession with strength. Kaworu is a mysterious and gentle figure whose quiet presence has a major emotional impact on Shinji.
Yet all three have become closely associated with Ishida’s voice.
The wider ranking also includes characters from Naruto, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Bungo Stray Dogs, Natsume’s Book of Friends, and Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju. This range demonstrates the breadth of his work and the different ways audiences connect with his performances.
The survey’s comments also reveal something important about the relationship between voice actors and their audiences. For some fans, a particular character is not simply a favourite anime role; it is the performance that first introduced them to voice acting or encouraged them to explore more anime.
Kaworu’s first line, Katsura’s unforgettable jokes, and Akaza’s emotional transformation are all examples of performances that have stayed with viewers long after they first watched them.
Katsura Remains the Undisputed Fan Favourite
Akira Ishida’s 2026 birthday poll once again demonstrates the lasting popularity of his most memorable performances.
Kotaro Katsura’s ninth consecutive victory is particularly impressive, especially considering the number of characters Ishida has voiced throughout his career. Akaza’s second-place finish highlights the impact of his recent work in Demon Slayer, while Kaworu’s third-place result shows that his classic performances continue to resonate with fans.
The poll also offers a reminder that a voice actor’s influence is not limited to a single genre or generation. Ishida can make audiences laugh with an eccentric samurai, feel the intensity of a demon’s battles, or connect emotionally with a mysterious young pilot.
As fans celebrate his birthday, the 2026 results provide a fitting tribute to a performer whose voice has helped make so many anime characters unforgettable.
Which Akira Ishida character is your personal favourite? Is it Kotaro Katsura, Akaza, Kaworu Nagisa, or another character from his extensive career?
