At Jump Festa 2025, One Piece made a big announcement that fans have been waiting for: Franky’s new Japanese voice actor.
After Kazuki Yao announced his retirement from the role, the series revealed that Kimura Subaru would take over. Fans were shocked by Yao’s departure, but Subaru’s casting is a perfect fit.
Who is Kimura Subaru?
Kimura Subaru is no newcomer to the voice acting world. He’s best known for voicing Aoi Todo in Jujutsu Kaisen and has also voiced characters like Pesci in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Golden Wind, Sakuragi in The First Slam Dunk, and Tendo in Haikyu!!.
Subaru’s experience with larger-than-life characters makes him an ideal choice for Franky, a role that requires both strength and personality.
A Touching Moment
The announcement was emotional. At Jump Festa, a highlight reel of Franky’s best moments was shown, followed by Subaru stepping onto the stage to embrace Yao in a heartfelt passing of the torch. Yao expressed confidence in his successor, and Subaru promised to carry on Franky’s legacy with pride.
Yao’s Departure
Yao, who voiced Franky since 2005, stepped down due to health reasons. Having started the role at age 46, it’s understandable that he would eventually feel distanced from his iconic character.
His decision mirrors other voice actor departures in 2024, including Tesshō Genda (Kaido) and Toru Furuya (Sabo), both of whom also left due to health or personal reasons.
What This Means for One Piece
While fans will miss Yao’s portrayal of Franky, the show’s stellar voice cast gives hope that Subaru will bring something special to the role.
With the changes in 2024, One Piece continues to evolve, and Subaru’s addition is a promising step forward for the beloved anime.