Hiroaki Hirata
Voice ActorHiroaki Hirata is a Japanese actor and voice actor, born in 1963, who has voiced Sanji of the Straw Hat Pirates in the original Japanese-language One Piece anime from Toei Animation since it premiered in 1999.
One Piece Role
Hirata has voiced Sanji, the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates, in the Japanese dub of One Piece since the series began airing in 1999, sustaining the role across more than two decades of the Toei Animation adaptation. Sanji stands out as the signature part of his career and one of the longest-running character commitments among Japanese anime voice actors. The role established him within the core cast of one of anime's most enduring franchises.
Career and Notable Roles
Beyond Sanji, Hirata has taken on a long list of well-known parts, playing Vergil across the Devil May Cry game series, Kotetsu Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny, and Klein in Sword Art Online, with additional credits such as Sha Gojyo in Saiyuki and Mutta Nanba in Space Brothers. He founded his own talent agency, Hirata Production, and serves as the regular Japanese dubbing voice for several Hollywood actors, including Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, and Jude Law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Hiroaki Hirata voice?
Hiroaki Hirata voices Vergil across the Devil May Cry games, Kotetsu Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny, and Klein in Sword Art Online, in addition to playing Sanji in One Piece. His catalog also includes Sha Gojyo in Saiyuki and Mutta Nanba in Space Brothers.
What is Hiroaki Hirata's most famous role?
Hirata's most famous role is Sanji, the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates, whom he has voiced in the Japanese dub of One Piece since the anime premiered in 1999. It is one of the longest-running character commitments among Japanese voice actors, spanning more than two decades of Toei Animation's adaptation.
Is Hiroaki Hirata still active?
Yes, Hirata has been working continuously since 1985 and remains active today. He was born in 1963 and has sustained a career spanning more than three decades in Japanese acting and voice acting.
What talent agency did Hiroaki Hirata found?
Hirata founded his own talent agency, Hirata Production. It represents him within the Japanese entertainment industry alongside his acting and voice acting career.
Which Hollywood actors does Hiroaki Hirata dub in Japanese?
Hirata serves as the regular Japanese dubbing voice for several Hollywood actors, including Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, and Jude Law. This dubbing work runs alongside his anime career, which includes voicing Sanji in One Piece.
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Sources & Information
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.
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 Toei Animation and Toei Company.
- Game pages: official box art for the One Piece console and mobile games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Eiichiro Oda.
Official resources:
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