The long-awaited "Teasing Master Takagi-san 2" has finally begun. It was quite a tingly experience from the very first episode. It exceeded my expectations. The main character, Nishikata, is played by Yuki Kaji, whom I'll introduce today. He's so well-known he probably doesn't need an introduction, but let's get to know him better! We'll be showcasing all of Kaji's charms.
Who is Yuki Kaji?
Handsome Voice Actor
The complete opposite of Nishikata is Yuki Kaji, a sparkling, energetic guy. He's a very popular, handsome voice actor with well-defined features. His childlike, crinkly smile is also a charming quality. He's a talented voice actor, capable of playing everything from young boys like Nishikata to adult roles, and his wide range of roles spans from leading roles to supporting roles. His acting ability is captivating.
Veteran
He was born on September 3, 1985, the same day as Doraemon (lol). He's 33 this year, but he doesn't look like he's in his 30s. He's been active since 2004, marking his 15th anniversary this year. Over his long career in the entertainment industry, he's appeared in almost every anime series every season. It's not just one! He's one of the busiest voice actors.
Yuki Kaji's Masterpieces
From here on, we'll be introducing some of Yuki Kaji's most famous works. You're sure to recognize these characters, so stay tuned!
Eren Yeager
First up is Eren Yeager, the protagonist from Attack on Titan, a social phenomenon. His scenes of anguish and anger are truly impressive. The voice change from boy to young man is well-executed, as expected. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it.
Melodas
This is Melodas, the main character from the hugely popular manga The Seven Deadly Sins. Unlike Eren Yeager, he's a cheerful character with a slightly higher-pitched voice. This range of acting is one of Kaji Yuki's charms. He's played many leading roles, but these two characters truly represent his talents.
Shoto Todoroki
And here's the handsome student Shoto Todoroki from the hugely popular manga My Hero Academia. He's a quiet character who speaks in a low voice and doesn't bark much. This kind of quiet, manly character really suits him. He was wonderful.
What's Yuki Kaji's private life like?
Finally!
On June 23, 2019, Yuki Kaji and fellow popular voice actress Ayana Taketatsu got married. It was quite the news, do you remember? They were truly a beautiful couple, and a marriage between two voice actors. It was a complete surprise. Incidentally, June 23 is Taketatsu's birthday. It must have been a wonderful birthday!
Friendship
His most famous friend is Ryunosuke Kamiki, with whom he has become friends since appearing together on the human-watching variety show Monitoring. Apparently, without any prior discussion, they ended up matching outfits, wearing black glasses, black hats, and white T-shirts. They seem to get along well. If you look closely, you'll even notice that their bags are similar.
Kaji Yuki's Award History is Impressive
Numerous
He has received an incredible number of awards. On March 7, 2009, he won the Best New Actor award at the 3rd Seiyuu Awards, on April 18, 2012, he won the Best Male Character Voice award at the Famitsu Awards, on December 27 of the same year, he won the Best Male Voice Actor award at the 22nd Anime Scramble for Nonko and Nobita, on March 1, 2017, he won the Best Actor award at the 7th Seiyuu Awards, and on March 23 of the same year, he won the Best Voice Actor award in the Individual category at the 12th Tokyo Anime Awards, and there are many more awards to come. He is sure to be one of the leaders in the voice acting industry in the future!
What motivated Kaji Yuki to become a voice actor?
Middle School Student
I don't know if he was a middle school student like Nishikata, but apparently, the words "No matter what a voice actor studies or what they work hard at, it all becomes a strength for them" inspired him to aspire to become a voice actor. It's rewarding because the results are commensurate with the effort you put in. It was a tough path, but with hard work and talent, he made it this far!
Admiration
No explanation needed. Kaji Yuki's two favorite voice actors are Kouichi Yamadera and Megumi Hayashibara. They're known for their powerful voices, but they also have incredible acting skills and experience. Many voice actors admire them. Kouichi Yamadera's most famous works include Donald Duck and Genie in Disney, Ryuji Kaji in Evangelion, and Will Smith in live-action. Megumi Hayashibara is best known for her roles as Ranma Saotome in Ranma 2/1, Hello Kitty in Sanrio, and Ai Haibara in Detective Conan. With so many achievements, it's hard not to admire her!
Yuki Kaji's Other Activities
Two Units
She's also a singer. One is the group BRAVE WING with Tsubasa Yonaga, and the other is G.Addict with Takuma Terashima, Kazuma Horie, and Atsushi Abe. They're so popular they've even been featured on the cover, and of course, all of them are voice actors. They're also great singers.
Book Publication
This is the book "Itsuka Subete ga Kimi no Chikara ni Naru (Someday Everything Will Be Your Power)," published on May 10, 2018. This book compiles Kaji Yuki's career path and the thoughts and feelings that led him to this point. It's a must-read for 14-year-olds, as they begin to confront their future selves for the first time. Prior to this book, he released three photobooks. He's active not only in voice acting, but also in writing and photography.
Keep an eye on Kaji Yuki!
Did you enjoy this? Introducing Kaji Yuki, the voice actor for Nishikata in [Teasing Master Takagi-san]! I hope you were able to appreciate the incredibly popular and accomplished Kaji Yuki. His realistic acting and laid-back acting are both captivating. He's also enjoying his private life now that he's married. He's always smiling in countless photos, and is well-liked. Let's support Kaji Yuki in the new series "Teasing Master Takagi-san." We look forward to seeing him achieve even greater success!
