Sabo’s new voice in One Piece anime and where you’ve heard it before

Miyu Irino’s voice acting skills have garnered attention, especially in his role as Sabo, the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, in One Piece. He has also brought life to fan-favorite characters like Kōshi Sugawara in Haikyuu!! and Sora in the popular Kingdom Hearts video game series. His portrayal of Sabo in the One Piece anime further showcases his versatility and talent in the voice acting industry.

Despite mixed opinions regarding Irino’s portrayal, Sabo has still garnered a lot of affection from fans. As a prominent character and high-ranking member of the Revolutionary Army, he shares a deep connection with Luffy and his complex history only adds to his growing popularity. With Tōru Furuya’s departure from the iconic role, Sabo’s portrayal by Irino remains somewhat unpredictable.

The recent transformation has sparked significant discussion. Miyu Irino, known for his impressive career in voice acting, has undoubtedly brought beloved characters to life. His highly anticipated debut in episode 1116 showcases a refreshing yet recognizable vocal performance, perfectly capturing the character’s essence.

One Piece: Miyu Irino to take over as Sabo’s new voice actor

Sabo is the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army (Image via Toei Animation)

The One Piece franchise’s X account revealed that Sabo in the animated series will be voiced by Miyu Irino. Irino, who is recognized for his work as Sora in Kingdom Hearts and Kōshi Sugawara in Haikyuu!!, has also contributed his voice to Ritsu Kageyama in Mob Psycho 100. Fans can anticipate his debut as Sabo in episode 1116, airing this Sunday. The evolution of the voice acting industry has greatly impacted Furuya Tōru’s career, with notable roles including Sabo in One Piece and Tōru Amuro in Detective Conan.

After a scandal involving an extramarital affair with a fan broke in January and resurfaced in May, Furuya’s pivotal performances, which had been ongoing since June, came to an end. As he acknowledged the allegations, his presence in the entertainment industry dwindled, exposing a complex and convoluted situation.

Who is Toru Furuya, Sabo’s previous voice actor?

Sabo ate the Mera Mera no mi after Ace's death (Image via Toei Animation) — Sabo ate the Mera Mera no mi after Ace’s death (Image via Toei Animation)

The city of Yokohama, located in the Kanagawa prefecture, holds great historical significance as it is the birthplace of Tōru Furuya on July 31, 1953. Furuya is highly regarded in Japanese performance arts for his talents as an actor and voice actor, having started his career with the children’s troupe Gekidan Himawari.

In 1982, Furuya joined Aoni Production, making a name for himself in the entertainment business. He lent his voice to many beloved anime characters, such as Amuro Ray in Gundam, Hyūma Hoshi in The Star of the Giants, Pegasus Seiya in Saint Seiya, Yamcha in Dragon Ball, Kyōsuke Kasuga in Kimagure Orange Road, and Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon.

Sabo as shown in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite the fact that these roles are the highlights of his career, the diverse range of characters he has voiced could potentially result in a disjointed perception. This lack of coherence may lead to a vague and superficial understanding of his overall impact in the industry. He has been lending his voice to animated characters since 1986, most notably as Mario in Super Mario Bros., where he bravely rescues Princess Peach.

In addition to his role as the narrator in Gundam 00, he also provided the voices for Allelujah Haptism and Ribbons Almark. He was also credited as the Japanese dub voice for Yuen Biao, a renowned Hong Kong action star, and chose the name for his narration in Gundam 00. However, this role was not widely recognized. Furthermore, he also lent his voice to Zen Kirishima in Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi.

Final thoughts

A snapshot from the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

The addition of Miyu Irino as the voice of Sabo in One Piece signifies a major shift for the character, in light of Tōru Furuya’s controversial exit. Irino’s fans will surely recognize his distinctive voice, as he has previously lent his talents to beloved characters such as Sora in Kingdom Hearts and Ritsu in Mob Psycho 100, making him the perfect choice to carry on Sabo’s story.

Despite being both the Flame Emperor and a key member of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo’s personality requires a voice that can effectively portray both power and vulnerability. Fortunately, Irino’s reputation for possessing these traits makes him the perfect choice for the role. Given his extensive experience, Irino is ready to add layers to Sabo’s character.

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