Hiroaki Hirata is a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator whose career has stretched from theatre and animation to major video games and Japanese-language dubbing. He is best known internationally as the original Japanese voice of Vinsmoke Sanji in One Piece, but his résumé also includes Sha Gojyo in Saiyuki, Kotetsu T. Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny, Klein in Sword Art Online, Mutta Nanba in Space Brothers, Leomon in Digimon Adventure, and Vergil in the Devil May Cry video-game series.
Born in Tokyo in 1963, Hirata originally developed his career through theatre rather than entering animation directly. He studied at the Subaru Theater School and joined Theatre Company Subaru, where he performed on stage before a manager suggested that he audition for voice work. That transition eventually made him one of Japan’s most recognizable male voice performers.
His career has also earned significant industry recognition. Hirata won Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 6th Seiyu Awards for his work including Kotetsu T. Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny. He also received the Best Voice Actor award at the 11th Tokyo Anime Award for the same role.
Who Is Hiroaki Hirata?
Hiroaki Hirata (平田広明) is a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator, born August 7, 1963, in Tokyo, Japan. He is the founder of Hirata Production Japan, the production company he established after leaving Theatre Company Subaru in 2011 following approximately 27 years with the theatre group.
Hirata is particularly respected for his mature, distinctive voice and his ability to move between charismatic heroes, comic characters, dramatic supporting roles and villains. His performances frequently have a relaxed, conversational quality, but he can also deliver intense action and emotional scenes when a production requires it.
For anime fans, his name is inseparable from Sanji in One Piece. The official One Piece website lists Hirata as Sanji’s Japanese voice actor, alongside the other long-standing original cast members.
His work extends much further, however. He has voiced characters in Saiyuki, Digimon, Black Lagoon, Naruto, Tiger & Bunny, Sword Art Online, Space Brothers, My Hero Academia, Made in Abyss and many other anime productions. He has also built an extensive career in video games and Japanese dubbing.
Early Life and Career
Hirata graduated from Toshima High School before attending the Subaru Theater School. He subsequently joined Theatre Company Subaru, beginning a long period of work primarily focused on stage performance.
His first stage appearance was in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1986. At that stage, voice acting was not necessarily his main career objective. According to biographical accounts of his career, his manager suggested that he try voice work while Hirata was already active as a stage actor. He auditioned and gradually established himself in animation and dubbing.
That theatrical background became an important part of his voice work. Hirata was already accustomed to developing characters through performance before animation became a major part of his career. Rather than treating voice acting as an isolated technique, he carried the discipline of stage acting into the recording studio.
His career also developed through foreign-film dubbing, an area in which he became particularly prominent. He eventually became one of Japan’s regular dubbing performers for major Hollywood actors, including Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, Noah Wyle and Matt LeBlanc, while also dubbing selected roles originally performed by Jude Law, Ewan McGregor, Edward Norton and Josh Hartnett.
Voice Acting Career
Early Anime and Animation Work
Hirata’s early animation career included appearances in productions such as Detective Conan, Great Teacher Onizuka, Digimon Adventure and other television anime.
One of his notable early recurring associations was Leomon in Digimon. He also performed narration and other characters in the Digimon Adventure franchise, later returning to the role of Leomon in subsequent productions.
Another important early role was Sha Gojyo in Saiyuki. The character became one of Hirata’s recognizable performances and established his ability to play older, confident and sometimes mischievous male characters.
His filmography during this period also included roles in Kaze no Yojimbo, Hajime no Ippo, Air Gear and other productions.
Sanji in One Piece
The defining anime role of Hirata’s career is undoubtedly Vinsmoke Sanji in One Piece.
Hirata joined the anime as Sanji in 2000, with the character making his animated debut in episode 20. The official One Piece website continues to identify Hirata as Sanji’s voice actor.
Sanji is a particularly demanding character because his personality combines several contrasting traits. He is an accomplished chef and fighter, a gentleman toward women, a comic womanizer, a loyal member of the Straw Hat crew and, in later story arcs, a character carrying considerable emotional and family history.
Hirata has discussed the challenge of understanding Sanji when he first received the role. In an official One Piece interview, he recalled that he initially found the character difficult to pin down because Sanji combined characteristics that did not fit neatly into the types of roles he had previously played.
Over the years, Hirata’s interpretation of Sanji has developed naturally rather than being radically changed. He has explained that after spending many years with the character, he came to understand Sanji’s essential personality and could approach the role more instinctively.
His performance has continued through the television anime, theatrical films, television specials and video games. The official franchise credits him as Sanji in productions including One Piece Film Gold and One Piece: Stampede.
Interestingly, Hirata also voiced other One Piece characters under the franchise’s recurring Sokotsuya credit alias. Official One Piece material notes that he voiced Karoo and several other minor characters in addition to Sanji.
Tiger & Bunny
In 2011, Hirata took on one of the most important roles of his later career as Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, also known as Wild Tiger, in Tiger & Bunny.
Kotetsu is an experienced superhero and father whose personality differs considerably from Sanji’s flamboyant style. He is older, more grounded and often struggling with the changing superhero industry around him.
The role received major recognition and became the basis for two of Hirata’s most significant acting awards. His performance earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role prize at the 6th Seiyu Awards and the Best Voice Actor award at the 11th Tokyo Anime Award.
Space Brothers
Hirata later took the leading role of Mutta Nanba in Space Brothers. Mutta is an adult protagonist rather than the younger action heroes frequently associated with anime.
The performance demonstrated Hirata’s ability to carry a long-running dramatic story with a more mature protagonist. His work on the series further established him as an actor capable of balancing humor, frustration, ambition and emotional vulnerability.
Sword Art Online
Hirata voices Klein, whose real name is Tsuboi Ryotaro, in Sword Art Online.
Klein is one of the series’ recurring supporting characters and serves as an important friend and ally to Kirito. Hirata has reprised the character in multiple Sword Art Online productions and games, including Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment, Lost Song, Last Recollection and Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream.
Later Anime Roles
Hirata has continued to take on significant anime roles well into the 2020s.
His later credits include Re-Destro in My Hero Academia, Wazukyan in Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, Otto in Fena: Pirate Princess, Keith Kazama Flick in B: The Beginning, Masami Kondo in After the Rain, Max Lobo in Banana Fish, and Godot in Ace Attorney.
More recent work includes Beryl Gardinant in From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman, a role highlighted by Animazement in its 2026 profile of Hirata.
Most Famous Anime Roles
Sanji — One Piece
Sanji is unquestionably Hirata’s signature anime role. As the Straw Hat Pirates’ cook and one of their strongest fighters, Sanji has been at the center of countless major One Piece storylines.
Hirata’s performance captures the character’s mixture of confidence, comedy, romantic obsession and loyalty. His interpretation has remained consistent across more than two decades of animation, making his voice one of the defining sounds of the One Piece anime.
Sha Gojyo — Saiyuki
Sha Gojyo was one of Hirata’s important early franchise roles. The character’s laid-back confidence, humor and occasionally serious personality fit particularly well with Hirata’s natural vocal style.
Hirata later returned to the character in Saiyuki Reload Blast and Saiyuki Reload: Zeroin, demonstrating the longevity of the performance.
Kotetsu T. Kaburagi — Tiger & Bunny
Kotetsu, or Wild Tiger, is among Hirata’s most critically recognized performances. Unlike the youthful heroes of many anime series, Kotetsu is an experienced adult hero balancing professional pressure with his responsibilities as a father.
The role earned Hirata both the Seiyu Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the Tokyo Anime Award for Best Voice Actor.
Klein — Sword Art Online
Klein is one of Hirata’s best-known supporting anime characters. His friendly relationship with Kirito and his presence across the wider Sword Art Online franchise have made the character especially familiar to long-time viewers.
Hirata has also voiced Klein in several Sword Art Online games, extending the role beyond the anime.
Leomon — Digimon
Hirata’s work as Leomon is another important part of his anime legacy. He voiced the character in Digimon Adventure and returned to the franchise in later productions, including Digimon Adventure tri.
Mutta Nanba — Space Brothers
Mutta gave Hirata a mature leading role centered on personal ambition and family relationships rather than conventional battle-anime heroics. His performance helped make the character’s frustrations and determination feel grounded and believable.
Hiroaki Hirata’s Notable Characters
| Anime / Project | Character | Year | Role Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digimon Adventure | Leomon / Narrator and others | 1999 | Japanese original voice |
| Saiyuki | Sha Gojyo | 2000 | Japanese original voice |
| One Piece | Sanji | 2000–present | Japanese original voice |
| Kaze no Yojimbo | George Kodama | 2001 | Japanese original voice |
| Black Lagoon | Benny | 2006 | Japanese original voice |
| Naruto Shippuden | Genma Shiranui | 2008 | Japanese original voice |
| Marvel Anime: Iron Man | Ho Yinsen | 2010 | Japanese original voice |
| Tiger & Bunny | Kotetsu T. Kaburagi | 2011 | Japanese original voice |
| Space Brothers | Mutta Nanba | 2012 | Japanese original voice |
| Sword Art Online | Klein | 2012 | Japanese original voice |
| From the New World | Kiroumaru | 2012 | Japanese original voice |
| B: The Beginning | Keith Kazama Flick | 2018 | Japanese original voice |
| After the Rain | Masami Kondo | 2018 | Japanese original voice |
| Banana Fish | Max Lobo | 2018 | Japanese original voice |
| My Hero Academia | Re-Destro | 2021 | Japanese original voice |
| Made in Abyss | Wazukyan | 2022 | Japanese original voice |
| Tiger & Bunny 2 | Kotetsu T. Kaburagi | 2022 | Japanese original voice |
| From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman | Beryl Gardinant | 2025 | Japanese original voice |
These are selected highlights rather than a complete filmography. Hirata’s career includes many additional television anime, films, games, stage productions and dubbing assignments.
Movies, Television and Other Voice Roles
One Piece Films
Hirata’s Sanji performance extends far beyond the weekly television series.
He has voiced Sanji in numerous One Piece theatrical productions, including One Piece Film Gold, One Piece: Stampede and other franchise movies and specials. Official One Piece production material repeatedly lists Hirata among the original Japanese cast.
This continuity is important because the theatrical films preserve the original character performances rather than replacing them with separate movie-specific actors.
Video Games
Hirata has built an extensive video-game career alongside his anime work. MobyGames records more than 100 game credits, spanning franchises including One Piece, Sword Art Online, Devil May Cry, Final Fantasy, God Eater and Granblue Fantasy.
Some of his best-known game roles include:
- Vergil — Devil May Cry
- Balthier — Final Fantasy XII and related Final Fantasy titles
- Lindow Amamiya — God Eater
- Klein — Sword Art Online games
- Rackam — Granblue Fantasy
- Sanji — One Piece games
- Captain Jack Sparrow — Japanese version of Kingdom Hearts
- Laguna Loire — Dissidia Final Fantasy series
MobyGames also lists recent credits including Sanji in One Piece Odyssey, Klein in Sword Art Online: Last Recollection and Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream, and Rackam in Granblue Fantasy: Relink.
Japanese Dubbing of Hollywood Films
One of the most distinctive parts of Hirata’s career is his work as a Japanese-language dubbing performer for major Western actors.
He is particularly associated with Johnny Depp, providing the Japanese voice for several of Depp’s screen characters. He has also dubbed roles originally played by Matt Damon, Jude Law, Ewan McGregor, Noah Wyle, Matt LeBlanc, Edward Norton and Josh Hartnett.
Among the roles associated with his dubbing career are Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films and Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts series. Animazement specifically identifies Hirata with both characters and notes his long association with Johnny Depp’s roles.
It is important to distinguish this work from his anime performances. Hirata is not the original English-language voice of these Hollywood characters. Instead, he provides their Japanese dub performances, allowing Japanese audiences to experience the films in Japanese.
This dubbing career has also influenced his game work. For example, he provides the Japanese voice of Captain Jack Sparrow in Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts III.
Television and Live-Action Acting
Hirata has also remained active as a screen and stage actor. His television work includes appearances in Japanese dramas, while his theatre background remained an important part of his professional identity.
His stage experience is particularly relevant because it preceded his voice-acting career. Hirata’s transition from theatre to voice work illustrates how Japanese voice actors can develop from broader acting careers rather than entering animation exclusively.
Awards and Recognition
Seiyu Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Hirata won Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 6th Seiyu Awards, with the official awards record listing him under Theatre Company Subaru. His award was associated with his acclaimed performance as Kotetsu T. Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny.
The award was a major recognition of his work as a leading voice performer and came after decades of experience across theatre, animation and dubbing.
Tokyo Anime Award
Hirata also received the Best Voice Actor award at the 11th Tokyo Anime Award, again for his work as Kotetsu in Tiger & Bunny. His 2026 Animazement profile confirms both the Tokyo Anime Award and Seiyu Award honors.
These awards are particularly significant because Tiger & Bunny allowed Hirata to demonstrate a different side of his abilities from the flamboyant comedy of Sanji. Kotetsu is older, emotionally complex and dealing with both professional and family responsibilities.
Career Highlights
A career that began on stage
Unlike many performers primarily identified with animation, Hirata developed his craft in theatre first. His work with Theatre Company Subaru gave him a strong foundation before he transitioned into professional voice acting.
More than two decades as Sanji
His performance as Sanji is the central achievement of his anime career. Hirata has remained the Japanese voice of the character across the television series, movies, specials and games since the character’s anime debut.
A highly versatile voice
Hirata has played charismatic heroes, comic supporting characters, mature protagonists, villains and supernatural figures. Sanji, Kotetsu, Klein, Mutta, Leomon, Re-Destro and Wazukyan demonstrate just how wide his range can be.
A major video-game performer
His game work connects him to some of the industry’s biggest franchises, including Final Fantasy, Devil May Cry, God Eater, Sword Art Online, Granblue Fantasy and One Piece.
One of Japan’s notable dubbing voices
His association with Johnny Depp and other international actors gives Hirata another distinctive place within Japanese entertainment. He has effectively become the familiar Japanese voice for several Hollywood performers across multiple films.
Why Is Hiroaki Hirata So Recognizable to Anime Fans?
Hiroaki Hirata is recognizable because his career connects several generations of popular Japanese entertainment.
For One Piece fans, his voice is inseparable from Sanji, one of the Straw Hat Pirates’ most important members. Saiyuki fans know him as Sha Gojyo, while Tiger & Bunny viewers associate him with Wild Tiger. Sword Art Online audiences recognize Klein, and Space Brothers fans know him as Mutta Nanba.
His range is equally important. Hirata can play a flamboyant comic character such as Sanji, a mature superhero such as Kotetsu, a dependable friend such as Klein, or a more serious antagonist such as Re-Destro.
His longevity also sets him apart. He has maintained major roles across television anime, theatrical animation and games, while simultaneously working in Japanese dubbing and live performance.
That combination of versatility, longevity and recognizable characters explains why Hirata remains one of Japan’s best-known male voice actors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hiroaki Hirata?
Hiroaki Hirata is a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator born on August 7, 1963, in Tokyo. He is best known internationally as the Japanese voice of Sanji in One Piece.
What is Hiroaki Hirata most famous for?
He is most famous for Sanji in One Piece, but other major roles include Sha Gojyo in Saiyuki, Kotetsu T. Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny, Klein in Sword Art Online, Mutta Nanba in Space Brothers and Leomon in Digimon Adventure.
Is Hiroaki Hirata the original Japanese voice of Sanji?
Yes. Hirata is the original Japanese voice actor for Sanji in the One Piece anime. The official franchise website lists him as Sanji’s voice actor.
When did Hiroaki Hirata start voicing Sanji?
Hirata began voicing Sanji when the One Piece television anime introduced the character in 2000. In an official interview, he recalled that Sanji first appeared in episode 20 and that he felt considerable pressure because of the popularity of the series.
What other anime is Hiroaki Hirata known for?
His notable anime credits include Saiyuki, Digimon Adventure, Tiger & Bunny, Space Brothers, Sword Art Online, Black Lagoon, Naruto Shippuden, My Hero Academia, Made in Abyss, Banana Fish and After the Rain.
What video games has Hiroaki Hirata voiced?
His game credits include Vergil in Devil May Cry, Balthier in Final Fantasy XII, Lindow Amamiya in God Eater, Klein in Sword Art Online, Rackam in Granblue Fantasy and Sanji in One Piece games.
Does Hiroaki Hirata voice Johnny Depp in Japan?
Yes. Hirata is one of the principal Japanese-language dubbing performers associated with Johnny Depp. His dubbing credits include characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow and other Depp roles. He has also dubbed characters originally played by Matt Damon, Jude Law, Ewan McGregor and other Hollywood actors.
Has Hiroaki Hirata won any awards?
Yes. He won Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 6th Seiyu Awards and also received the Best Voice Actor award at the 11th Tokyo Anime Award, both connected with his acclaimed performance as Kotetsu T. Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny.
