Explaining Sabo’s Voice Change in One Piece: The Toru Furuya Controversy

Toru Furuya, an esteemed voice actor with a remarkable career spanning five decades, is celebrated for bringing numerous iconic characters to life. Recently, the anime community was rocked by his admission of a four-year relationship with a fan, sparking widespread public outrage.

In the wake of serious allegations, including instances of violence and coercion regarding an unplanned pregnancy, Furuya made the difficult decision to step down from the roles of various beloved characters, notably Sabo from One Piece.

Who Will Take Over as the Voice of Sabo in One Piece?

The announcement revealed that Miyu Irino would assume the role of Sabo’s voice actor, starting with One Piece Episode 1116. Irino is well-known for his remarkable voice work in many popular anime, making him a familiar name among fans.

Miyu Irino’s impressive portfolio includes voicing characters like Ritsu from Mob Psycho, Ishida Shouya from A Silent Voice, Sugawara from Haikyuu!!, Jintan from The Flower We Saw That Day, and Young Minato from the Naruto series.

What Actions Led to Toru Furuya’s Controversy?

In a candid interview with Weekly Bunshun magazine, Toru Furuya disclosed his relationship with a 33-year-old female fan, which had been ongoing for approximately four and a half years since 2019. This revelation emerged amidst numerous public allegations regarding the nature of their affair.

The situation escalated significantly as further details surrounding the controversy came to light. Furuya exhibited alarming violent behavior and caused emotional distress to the fan throughout their relationship.

During one altercation at Furuya’s villa, the fan called for police assistance, but Furuya took her phone away. After she managed to escape and retrieve her device, police attempted to reach her multiple times. Furuya later expressed remorse, but the incident left a profound impact on her life.

Further complicating matters, the fan became pregnant during their relationship. Upon hearing the news, Furuya pressured her to end the pregnancy, fearing potential repercussions if the affair were to be publicly revealed.

He even cast doubt on whether he was the biological father, adding to the fan’s emotional turmoil. Ultimately, she succumbed to his pressure and terminated the pregnancy.

Toru Furuya’s Public Apology

Following the fallout from the scandal, Toru Furuya took to X (previously Twitter) to issue a public apology. In his statement, he admitted to the affair, expressed regret for his violent actions, and recognized the emotional and physical pain he inflicted.

Furuya also extended his apologies to his fans for betraying their trust and for dishonoring the characters he once portrayed. In his heartfelt message, he promised to dedicate his life to making amends and stated that he is prepared to accept any consequences for his actions.

Key Roles in Toru Furuya’s Career

Rei Furya - Detective Conan — Rei Furuya – Detective Conan | Source: Fandom

With over 50 years in the industry, Furuya has cemented his legacy through iconic roles such as Amuro Ray in Mobile Suit Gundam, Sabo in One Piece, Yamcha in Dragon Ball, Toru Amuro/Rei Furuya in Detective Conan, and Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon.

Source