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Kazuki Yao

Voice Actor

Kazuki Yao is a veteran Japanese actor and narrator affiliated with the talent agency Max Mix, known across decades of anime for larger-than-life supporting roles. He voices Gaston, one of Guts' fellow raiders in the Band of the Hawk, throughout the Golden Age Arc film trilogy that retells Berserk's origin story.

Role: Voice Actor
Nationality: Japanese
Years Active: 1970-present
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Berserk Role

Kazuki Yao voices Gaston across Berserk: The Golden Age Arc trilogy, the 2012-2013 films that adapt the manga's origin story of Guts joining the mercenary Band of the Hawk. Gaston serves as Guts' fellow raider and right-hand man within the group's rowdy inner circle, giving Yao a chance to bring his trademark boisterous energy to a supporting military role. The trilogy retells material also covered in the original 1997 TV series, but with a different voice cast for several roles.

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Career and Notable Roles

Yao has built a long career voicing gruff, comedic, or larger-than-life characters, perhaps best known to Western audiences as Franky in One Piece. His filmography spans decades of anime, tokusatsu, and video game work, and he remains affiliated with the talent agency Max Mix. Outside acting, he is married to fellow voice actress Natsuki Hayashi.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Kazuki Yao voice in Berserk?

Kazuki Yao voices Gaston across Berserk: The Golden Age Arc trilogy, the 2012–2013 films that adapt the manga's origin story of Guts joining the mercenary Band of the Hawk. Gaston serves as Guts' fellow raider and right-hand man within the group's rowdy inner circle.

What is Kazuki Yao best known for?

Yao is perhaps best known to Western audiences as Franky in One Piece. His long career has centered on gruff, comedic, or larger-than-life characters.

Is Berserk: The Golden Age Arc different from the 1997 TV series?

The Golden Age Arc trilogy retells material also covered in the original 1997 Berserk TV series, but with a different voice cast for several roles. Kazuki Yao's casting as Gaston is part of that separate cast lineup built for the films.

What talent agency is Kazuki Yao affiliated with?

Yao remains affiliated with the talent agency Max Mix. His decades-long career voicing boisterous supporting characters has been built through that agency.

What is Kazuki Yao's personal life like?

Yao, born in 1959, is married to fellow voice actress Natsuki Hayashi. His career voicing gruff, comedic, and larger-than-life characters has spanned since 1970.

Sources & Information

This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Berserk anime series, manga, and official materials. Berserk was created by Kentaro Miura, published by Hakusensha, and animated by OLM. All rights to Berserk and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

Rights holders

All rights belong to their respective owners.

Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:

  • Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to OLM and Hakusensha.
  • Game pages: official box art, credited to the game's respective publishers.
  • Manga chapter pages: volume covers, credited to Hakusensha and Kentaro Miura.

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