seiyuu, part XIX: Kazuya Nakai
Here comes the guy of whom I wanted to write all along, because only with one role he stole my heart... and in the meantime I got to hear more of his playing very interesting guys :)
You know, in the beginning I used to confuse him with Jun'ichi Suwabe, whom I knew better. They both can talk in that hoarse voice befitting the worst delinquents xD Nowadays, recognizing Nakai is much easier for me, I suppose.
Kazuya Nakai was born 1967, Nov 25 (yay!), in Kobe. Of his interest, the most special seems archery. (Now, could he pick that up from Doumeki? xD) I have no idea how accomplished he is in that field, but good luck!
I heard Nakai for the first time, and it was a big hit already, as long as 2008 in "Samurai Champloo", when he performed as Mugen, one of three main characters. But it was only in 2010 that I seriously started to admire the guy, and that was was Date Masamune in "Sengoku Basara". You know, that anime and that character had a profound influence on my whole life, getting me immensely interested in Japanese history, culture, especially samurai culture, as well as prompting me to write two-part (so far) samurai novel about Masamune. I even have a full samurai outfit made specifically for me, and three original (though no antics) Japanese swords. Anyway, Nakai as that Masamune is PERFECT. His voice portrays the samurai as a boss of a motorcycle gang (more or less), and you may believe me he knows what he does. Recently, though, I started to wonder whether Masamune wasn't much younger he seemed; that maturity comes probably from that voice of Nakai who is anything but the youngish voice.
As for Mugen, I totally admire him too. A stray samurai (or is he?), illiterate moron thinking only of eating, sleeping, and fighting. Extremely skilled swordsman. More a destructive element than a person, especially when in fury. I was sure I would prefer Jin more, the other male character, a hundred-percent samurai, but in the end my sympathy probably tilted towards Mugen, if only a bit because I love them both.
However, you would be greatly mistaken if you thought Nakai plays only expansive characters with big ego. He is perfectly capable of playing much quieter guys, often even withdrawn, often a type of a loyal retainer. Into this category fall Miles from "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood", a faithful subordinate of General Olivier Armstrong; Katsuragi from "07-Ghost", an officer for Chief of Staff Ayanami, the main adversary; or Keigo "Kaji" Kajiyama from [switch], the right hand of Masataka Hiki, Director of the Narcotics Control Department.
Other Nakai's roles include Kanzo Mogi from "Death Note", Kukutou from "Bleach The Movie 4: Hell Chapter", and Senkichi from "Saraiya Goyou".
I mentioned Nakai being able to play silent characters, and in these two cases he creates an art: Doumeki Shizuka from "xxxHolic" and Capricorn El Cid from "Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas". Doumeki, as his name indicates (shizuka means quiet), is a man of few words, but other than that he is perfectly capable of feeling emotions, while in Capricorn's case it's not so certain. Capricorn is a very silent person, who focuses only on his goal and doesn't spare it a single doubt. He is extremely disciplined, awe-striking... and, in some way, very miserable.
I mentioned loyal retainer type, and here Nakai is at his best: Hijikata Toushirou from "Gintama". We all know the relation between Shinsengumi's Vice-Captain Hijikata and Commander Kondou. In "Gintama", it's perfectly shown.
I mentioned Nakai being fond of delinquent roles, and maybe that's why he skilfully portrays pirates :D He played Jinpachi Nezu in "Brave 10" and Zoro in "One Piece". (The last one is the only one from listed here I have yet to watch, but I wanted to mention it anyway since he's one of the main characters.)
My Top 3 is of course Masamune, then Hijikata (have I ever mentioned I'm Hijikata's fangirl regardless of the type of art he appears? xD), and Mugen. But, as with many other seiyuu, I appreciate Nakai in every role I can hear.
You can probably guess who's coming next. And it will be a long post... -_-'
You know, in the beginning I used to confuse him with Jun'ichi Suwabe, whom I knew better. They both can talk in that hoarse voice befitting the worst delinquents xD Nowadays, recognizing Nakai is much easier for me, I suppose.
Kazuya Nakai was born 1967, Nov 25 (yay!), in Kobe. Of his interest, the most special seems archery. (Now, could he pick that up from Doumeki? xD) I have no idea how accomplished he is in that field, but good luck!
I heard Nakai for the first time, and it was a big hit already, as long as 2008 in "Samurai Champloo", when he performed as Mugen, one of three main characters. But it was only in 2010 that I seriously started to admire the guy, and that was was Date Masamune in "Sengoku Basara". You know, that anime and that character had a profound influence on my whole life, getting me immensely interested in Japanese history, culture, especially samurai culture, as well as prompting me to write two-part (so far) samurai novel about Masamune. I even have a full samurai outfit made specifically for me, and three original (though no antics) Japanese swords. Anyway, Nakai as that Masamune is PERFECT. His voice portrays the samurai as a boss of a motorcycle gang (more or less), and you may believe me he knows what he does. Recently, though, I started to wonder whether Masamune wasn't much younger he seemed; that maturity comes probably from that voice of Nakai who is anything but the youngish voice.
As for Mugen, I totally admire him too. A stray samurai (or is he?), illiterate moron thinking only of eating, sleeping, and fighting. Extremely skilled swordsman. More a destructive element than a person, especially when in fury. I was sure I would prefer Jin more, the other male character, a hundred-percent samurai, but in the end my sympathy probably tilted towards Mugen, if only a bit because I love them both.
However, you would be greatly mistaken if you thought Nakai plays only expansive characters with big ego. He is perfectly capable of playing much quieter guys, often even withdrawn, often a type of a loyal retainer. Into this category fall Miles from "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood", a faithful subordinate of General Olivier Armstrong; Katsuragi from "07-Ghost", an officer for Chief of Staff Ayanami, the main adversary; or Keigo "Kaji" Kajiyama from [switch], the right hand of Masataka Hiki, Director of the Narcotics Control Department.
Other Nakai's roles include Kanzo Mogi from "Death Note", Kukutou from "Bleach The Movie 4: Hell Chapter", and Senkichi from "Saraiya Goyou".
I mentioned Nakai being able to play silent characters, and in these two cases he creates an art: Doumeki Shizuka from "xxxHolic" and Capricorn El Cid from "Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas". Doumeki, as his name indicates (shizuka means quiet), is a man of few words, but other than that he is perfectly capable of feeling emotions, while in Capricorn's case it's not so certain. Capricorn is a very silent person, who focuses only on his goal and doesn't spare it a single doubt. He is extremely disciplined, awe-striking... and, in some way, very miserable.
I mentioned loyal retainer type, and here Nakai is at his best: Hijikata Toushirou from "Gintama". We all know the relation between Shinsengumi's Vice-Captain Hijikata and Commander Kondou. In "Gintama", it's perfectly shown.
I mentioned Nakai being fond of delinquent roles, and maybe that's why he skilfully portrays pirates :D He played Jinpachi Nezu in "Brave 10" and Zoro in "One Piece". (The last one is the only one from listed here I have yet to watch, but I wanted to mention it anyway since he's one of the main characters.)
My Top 3 is of course Masamune, then Hijikata (have I ever mentioned I'm Hijikata's fangirl regardless of the type of art he appears? xD), and Mugen. But, as with many other seiyuu, I appreciate Nakai in every role I can hear.
You can probably guess who's coming next. And it will be a long post... -_-'