Akira Ishida
Voice ActorAkira Ishida is a Japanese voice actor who provides Kaworu Nagisa's voice in Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of many landmark anime roles across a career now spanning more than three decades.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Role
Ishida voices Kaworu Nagisa, the enigmatic Fifth Children who arrives late in Neon Genesis Evangelion and quickly forms a close, fateful bond with protagonist Shinji Ikari. The role remains one of the actor's most iconic despite the character's brief screen time, built on a soft, unsettling calm that makes the character's late-series revelation as an Angel one of the anime's most devastating turns. Ishida later reprised Kaworu across the Rebuild of Evangelion film series.
Career and Notable Roles
Ishida's breakout came through Setsuna Aoki in the Sakura Wars franchise, plus Athrun Zala throughout the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED franchise, work that earned him top honors in the 2004 Animage Anime Grand Prix and a Best Supporting Actor prize at the inaugural Seiyu Awards in 2007. His catalog since spans Gaara in Naruto, Cho Hakkai in Saiyuki, Makoto Yuki in the Persona 3 games, and more recently Akaza in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Akira Ishida voice?
Ishida voices Kaworu Nagisa, the enigmatic Fifth Children who arrives late in Neon Genesis Evangelion and forms a fateful bond with Shinji Ikari. He reprised the role across the Rebuild of Evangelion film series and has also voiced Gaara in Naruto and Akaza in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Who voices Akaza?
Akira Ishida provides the voice of Akaza in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, one of the more recent additions to a voice acting career running since 1990. He is also known internationally as Kaworu Nagisa in Neon Genesis Evangelion.
What awards has Akira Ishida won?
Ishida topped the 2004 Animage Anime Grand Prix and won Best Supporting Actor at the inaugural Seiyu Awards in 2007. Both honors followed his breakout performances as Setsuna Aoki in the Sakura Wars franchise and Athrun Zala throughout Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.
What other anime has Akira Ishida been in?
Beyond Evangelion, Ishida voices Gaara in Naruto, Cho Hakkai in Saiyuki, and Makoto Yuki in the Persona 3 video games. His catalog spans more than three decades of major and supporting anime roles.
When did Akira Ishida start voice acting?
Akira Ishida was born in 1967 and has worked in voice acting since 1990, a career now spanning more than three decades. He is best known internationally as Kaworu Nagisa in Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series, manga, and official materials. Neon Genesis Evangelion was created by Hideaki Anno, published by Kadokawa, and animated by khara and Gainax. All rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byHideaki Anno
- Published byKadokawa
- Animated bykhara
- Animated byGainax
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Anime, 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 khara, Gainax and Kadokawa.
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- Manga chapter pages: volume covers, credited to Kadokawa and Hideaki Anno.
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