From a family rice shop to the voice of iconic anime heroes
In short: Before becoming one of Japan's most recognizable tenor voices, Takahiro Sakurai faced a crossroads. Would he continue the family business of selling rice, or pursue a career in voice acting? His journey from a struggling newcomer to a celebrated industry veteran is a testament to persistence in the competitive world of anime.
Born on June 13, 1974, in Aichi Prefecture, Takahiro Sakurai was the eldest of three siblings. Growing up in a family that owned a rice shop, his career path seemed predetermined; he once admitted that he likely would have taken over the family business had he not pursued voice acting. His interest in the profession was sparked by watching a television interview with a voice actor, leading him to graduate from Okazaki Johsei High School and later the Yoyogi Animation Academy in Nagoya and the 81 Acting Institute.
Sakurai's professional debut arrived in 1996 with the series Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!!. However, the path to stardom was not immediate. Following his debut, he faced a difficult period where auditions yielded little work. It was not until 1999, at age 25, that his career gained significant momentum. That year, he secured regular roles in two television anime, Digimon Adventure and Sensual Phrase, and performed his first character song for the film Gate Keepers.
Over the decades, Sakurai has become a prolific figure in the industry, known for a versatile tenor range. Notable characters portrayed by him include Cloud Strife in the Final Fantasy VII Compilation, Suzaku Kururugi from Code Geass, and Giyu Tomioka in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He is also the official Japanese dub voice for actor Robert Pattinson. Apart from voice work, his creative skills extend to designing logos and illustrations; he earned the 2010 Famitsu Awards' Male Character Voice Award and the 6th Seiyu Awards' Overseas Fan's Award in 2012.
In 2014, Sakurai transitioned to the agency INTENTION, founded by his friend Kenichi Suzumura, after leaving 81 Produce. His personal life became a subject of public scrutiny in 2022, when he acknowledged his marriage to a former voice actress and addressed reports regarding an extramarital affair with a radio show writer.
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