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Takaya Kuroda

Voice Actor

Takaya Kuroda is a Japanese actor and voice actor born in 1965, best known internationally for voicing Kazuma Kiryu in the Yakuza game series, with credited ties to the One Piece anime from Toei Animation.

Role: Voice Actor
Nationality: Japanese
Years Active: 1984-present
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One Piece Role

Kuroda is associated with the voice cast behind One Piece at Toei Animation, though records available do not specify the particular character or characters he portrayed for the series. His presence fits a career built on deep, authoritative vocal work well suited to strong supporting parts.

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Career and Notable Roles

Known for a deep, commanding bass voice, Kuroda frequently plays villains and imposing authority figures, including Yaiba in GoGo Sentai Boukenger. Outside Japan he is most recognized as the voice of Kazuma Kiryu, hero of the Yakuza video game franchise. When veteran actor Hirotaka Suzuoki's health declined, producers picked Kuroda to take over as Starscream in Transformers: Cybertron because their voices sounded so alike. He also fronts rock band Takaya Kuroda & Goodfellas as lead vocalist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who has Takaya Kuroda voiced?

Takaya Kuroda is best known internationally as the voice of Kazuma Kiryu, hero of the Yakuza video game franchise. In Japan he has also voiced villain and authority roles such as Yaiba in GoGo Sentai Boukenger.

What character does Takaya Kuroda voice in One Piece?

The specific character Takaya Kuroda voices in One Piece is not documented in available records. He is nonetheless associated with the anime's voice cast at Toei Animation, a fit for his career built on deep, authoritative vocal work.

How did Takaya Kuroda become the voice of Starscream in Transformers: Cybertron?

Takaya Kuroda took over as Starscream in Transformers: Cybertron after veteran actor Hirotaka Suzuoki's health declined. Producers chose Kuroda because their voices sounded so alike.

Does Takaya Kuroda have a music career?

Beyond voice acting, Takaya Kuroda fronts the rock band Takaya Kuroda & Goodfellas as lead vocalist. His deep, commanding voice carries over from his character work into his music.

When did Takaya Kuroda begin his acting career?

Born in 1965, Takaya Kuroda has been active in the industry since 1984. Over four decades he built a career known for a deep, commanding bass voice suited to villains and imposing authority figures.

Sources & Information

This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the One Piece anime series, manga, and official materials. 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 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 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.
  • Licensed imagery: Photographs of real people, including creators, voice actors and production staff, are used under licence from the rights holder or the applicable stock provider, or under the terms of a public licence permitting editorial use. Each such image is reproduced in its licensed form and remains the property of its owner.
  • Exceptions: Limited exceptions to the practices described above may apply to individual entries. Where an exception applies, it is noted on the entry itself alongside the applicable attribution. Rights holders may contact us regarding any attribution and it will be reviewed promptly.

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