ONE PIECE Exclusive: Voice Actors for Usopp and Sanji Reveal Thoughts on Egghead Arc, Visiting India, More

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Every episode, I passionately declare, “I’m destined to rule the pirates!” This timeless series, nearly as old as I am, sparks my imagination. The pursuit for ONE PIECE ignites– and persists –as Monkey D. Luffy and his crew embark on an epic adventure in this iconic tale. First introduced as a manga by the legendary Eiichiro Oda, it has been brought to life through animation, solidifying its status as one of the greatest stories ever told in this realm.

Boasting more than a thousand episodes (and still expanding), ONE PIECE has been an exhilarating journey for creators and fans alike. Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with two crew members, Kappei Yamaguchi and Hiroaki Hirata, who lend their voices to Usopp and Sanji respectively, as they embarked on their first trip to India. Their love for piracy remains undiminished, and it’s evident that their passion for the role continues to deepen every day. As the Egghead Arc made its debut in the anime world, these two stars shared heartfelt stories about their experiences in the recording studio. You can read the full interview below.

When it comes to portraying Usopp, a character known for his unique personality that sometimes earns him labels like a liar and a coward, yet also shows great bravery and loyalty, how would you handle such a multifaceted role?

How do you balance the contrasting traits of Usopp – a character who is often seen as a liar and coward but proves to be brave and loyal – when bringing this complex character to life through voice acting?

Kappei Yamaguchi: Initially, Usopp was a fearful individual, but his interactions with his fellow crew members changed that perception. He discovered, “There are others who are strong.” With their encouragement, he found self-assurance and bravely forged ahead. From then on, being surrounded by such powerful individuals, he felt empowered and decided he too could be strong, eventually making it a reality. This served as the foundation for his character development.

What has been the most enjoyable or surprising aspect of working with this character? I’ve found that Usopp’s transformation from a cowardly sniper to a brave warrior has been both fun and unexpected.

Kappei Yamaguchi shared that the most enjoyable part was weaving tales, and this continues even today. When I portray him, I need to feel joyful; otherwise, it doesn’t work out. In ONE PIECE, there are numerous vibrant characters, so I strive to maintain a cheerful demeanor and extend a warm welcome to the studio.

Unexpectedly, I was heartbroken when I bid farewell to Merry. As the story unfolded, it turned out that many crew members would depart on their own paths. And when this occurred, there would be a significant gap in my role for quite some time. This was an unforeseen experience: the solitude that ensued.

It seems clear as time goes on, the things Usopp shared with Kaya before joining the crew are gradually unfolding. I can’t wait to discover how these falsehoods play out in the narrative. Will they ultimately prove true or remain unfulfilled?

And one of the lies was regarding 8000 subordinates, and I’m wondering if that comes true. 

In the course of the Dressrosa storyline, there were indications that your character was on the verge of activating Observation Haki. Do you think this ability might manifest in the near future, and if so, what impact do you envision it having on the narrative?

As for your question regarding Kappei Yamaguchi and his character Usopp from One Piece,

Kappei Yamaguchi: Moving forward, I believe it’s plausible that Usopp may possess Observation Haki, but compared to other characters in the series, he seems to only have this particular type.

Your question about Kabuto and its legendary status, as well as your inquiry about Usopp earning the title of “God Usop,” leads me to share my favorite scenes featuring Kabuto: After Kabuto was introduced into play, and especially during the Fish-man Island Arc, I found that Usopp’s combat style underwent a significant transformation. Prior to this arc, he primarily relied on setting traps to emerge victorious; however, his newfound confidence in battle left an indelible impact on me. Despite continuing to utilize traps, his improved fighting spirit truly stood out.

Did a specific scene from ONE PIECE ever resonate with you on an emotional or creative level as the voice actor of Sanji?
Hiroaki Hirata: Sanji is quite distinct from other characters. There was an episode where I could relate to him. Initially, he comes across as cool or infatuated, and his scenes have a charming, silly quality. But it’s Sanji’s humanity, or perhaps his kindness, that touches me. His kindness and selflessness are often misconstrued due to his affinity for women. It might appear as if he needs help, but in reality, he is offering assistance.

In the Whole Cake Island Arc, there’s a significant moment when he seems to be getting married to Pudding. During this time, you can clearly see him developing feelings for her and becoming quite affectionate towards her. Despite discovering the truth about her, he still proceeds with the marriage because of Pudding’s joy and his concern for his friends’ well-being.

Moving on to our chat about the Whole Cake Island Arc, could you share your emotions during the process of voice acting/recording the scene where Sanji engaged in a battle with Luffy?

Hiroaki Hirata: Although I wasn’t fully convinced, I grasped the reasoning behind Sanji’s actions. But before confronting Luffy, I needed to be convinced myself. However, one can’t choose their own path; it’s already been determined. In this case, it’s a path that might lead to Sanji getting hurt. Given these circumstances, he likely focused only on fighting and ignored other considerations. Standing before the microphone, I felt the same apprehension as Sanji did.

Kappei Yamaguchi: Indeed! It was great to reunite after such a long hiatus. During the pandemic, we couldn’t meet up in person, but now we’re finally back in the studio, traveling together as a large group. The experience felt like a return to those good old times.

Hiroaki Hirata muses, “Indeed, ONE PIECE has a rich history, hasn’t it? When the characters were split into different groups and individual episodes were focused on, there were times when Sanji wasn’t even present. The episodes where they did show up increased the workload significantly, making it tough, but now everyone is reunited.”

“Being part of this large ensemble brings me a sense of relief,” he continues. “Coincidentally, the release of ONE PIECE aligns with this event, which I find remarkable. It seems as though we’ve all emerged from the pandemic and are sailing together on the same ship. The only thing that leaves me wanting is the opportunity to engage in a serious battle with Zoro soon.

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2025-04-29 14:39