Masami Hisamoto is a Japanese comedian, actress, and tarento affiliated with the Wahaha-Hompo agency who voiced Izaya in the Japanese version of the One Piece anime, produced by Toei Animation.
Hisamoto voices Izaya in the Japanese-language version of One Piece, a supporting role that sits alongside her much larger body of work in comedy and variety television. Her casting reflects a common pattern in anime of drawing well-known tarento and comedians in for guest or side characters rather than lead parts.
Born in Kami, Osaka in 1958, Hisamoto built her reputation as a comedian and television personality with the Wahaha-Hompo agency, becoming a fixture of long-running variety programs such as Waratte Iitomo! and Hirunandesu!. Beyond entertainment, she is widely recognized in Japan for her outspoken devotion to the Soka Gakkai Buddhist movement, which she has followed since the mid-1980s and which turned her into something of an internet meme.

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When I first decided to commit to watching One Piece seriously, I knew I was embarking on one of anime's longest and most beloved series. With over 100...
Hisamoto voices Izaya in the Japanese-language version of One Piece, a supporting role alongside her much larger body of work in comedy and variety television.
Hisamoto became a fixture of long-running Japanese variety programs such as Waratte Iitomo! and Hirunandesu!.
Hisamoto, born in Kami, Osaka in 1958, is a Japanese entertainer represented by the talent agency Wahaha-Hompo. Her affiliation with that agency has supported her long-running work as a comedian and television personality throughout her career.
Hisamoto is widely recognized in Japan for her outspoken devotion to the Soka Gakkai Buddhist movement, which she has followed since the mid-1980s and which turned her into something of an internet meme.
Hisamoto has worked as a comedian, actress, and tarento since 1981, more than four decades in Japanese entertainment.
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the One Piece anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
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