Celebrating the birthday of renowned voice actor Kenichi Suzumura, popular Japanese pop-culture outlet Anime! Anime! has released the results of its annual reader poll asking fans to vote for their absolute favorite character among his prolific career. Gathering over 500 responses from a passionate fanbase, the 2026 survey highlights the profound emotional connection viewers share with Suzumura's iconic vocal performances across anime, games, and tokusatsu.
Claiming the coveted first place with approximately 30 percent of the total vote is Masato Hijirikawa from the evergreen musical multimedia franchise Uta no Prince-sama. Fans praised Suzumura's ability to imbue the disciplined, noble heir of the Hijirikawa conglomerate with both stoic dignity and profound emotional warmth. Longtime supporters noted how Masato's character has grown over the series' 16-year history, citing Suzumura's nuanced vocal delivery and powerful singing voice as a defining element of the franchise's enduring legacy.
Securing the second position is Sougo Okita from Gintama, renowned for his razor-sharp comedic timing and effortless transition into ruthless intensity during combat sequences. Meanwhile, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba's Serpent Hashira Obanai Iguro rounded out the top three, earning praise for his intricate, low-register portrayal and his fierce devotion to Mitsuri Kanroji.
The comprehensive top ten ranking also features beloved fan-favorite figures such as Shin Asuka from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Ryutaros from Kamen Rider Den-O, and Zack Fair from Final Fantasy VII, demonstrating the incredible versatility and lasting impact of Suzumura's extensive career in the entertainment industry.
