It is official:One Pieceis saying goodbye to one of its original cast members. Today, reports from Japan went live confirming Kazuki Yao’s exit from the anime. The voice actor announced he is officially exitingOne Piece, marking a major point of transition for the Straw Hat crew’s shipwright.
Taking to social media, the team atOne Piececonfirmed Kazuki’s exit while the anime works through its remaster of the Fishman Island arc. Kazuki confirmed he is parting ways withOne Piece, and he is as “sad” as he is “frustrated” by the ordeal.
One Piece Star Kazuki Yao Is Leaving The Anime After A 20+ Year Run
The Voice Actor Began Playing Franky Back In 2005
“The time has come for me to give a sad farewell,” Kazuki wrote. “Goodbye to the dude I’ve spent nearly 25 years with. It is almost an out-of-body experience, but I feel as if a gap has been created between myself and the Franky I know. So I’vedecided to get off of the [Thousand] Sunny.”
“I’ve decided to get off of the [Thousand] Sunny.” - Kazuki Yao
Continuing, the anime actor assured fansOne Piecewill carry on with Franky even in his absence. “I am frustrated! I feel sad! I am really sorry. However,we have found a super replacement.Look forward to the announcement… at Jump Festa.”
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As you’re able to imagine, the anime fandom has turned its eye toOne Piecein light of this news. Franky is a major character in the series, and Kazuki was hailed as the perfect voice for the exuberant shipwright.From his buff physique to his louder-than-life personality, Franky is anundeniable force at Luffy’s side. There is no word on who will take over the role for Franky now that Kazuki has left the role behind, but it will not be long before we find out. Jump Festa will take place starting July 21, 2025, after all.
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After 20+ Years, The Original One Piece Cast Is Getting Older
The future ofOne Pieceis bright given the franchise’s push in recent years. Many stars who helped launch the anime are still tied to the series, but of course, they have gotten older. When Kazuki began work onOne Piece, he was in his mid-40s, but the actor just turned 65 this summer. Born in June 1959, the veteran voice actor began working in 1970, so Kazuki stayed withOne Piecefor as long as he could.
When it comes to the rest of theOne Piececast, well -they are not getting any younger. Mayumi Tanaka, the revered voice actress behind Monkey D. Luffy, will turn 70 in January 2025. As for the show’s main cast, they are all over 50 years old. Kazuya Nakai, the voice of Roronoa Zoro, turned 57 in November 2024 for instance. The youngest voice actor overseeing the Straw Hat crew is Akemi Okamura who oversees Nami; She is 55 years old. And as for the oldest cast member, Jimbei’s Katsuhisa Hoki is 78 years old.
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It is hard to imagine a world whereOne Piece’s original cast has retired, but time waits for no one or no show. Thehit anime has been around since 1999, after all. Thanks to series creator Eiichiro Oda, we know theOne Piecemanga is in its final arc, butthere is no telling how long it may last. The truth is thatOne Piece isn’t ending anytime soon, whether we’re talking about the manga or anime. Netizens are now sending their best wishes to the show’s cast as they come together amid Kazuki’s retirement. Hopefully, it will be the first and only to send the Straw Hat crew reeling.
One Piece
Cast
The One Piece anime began in 1999 and follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy with rubber-like abilities, as he embarks on a journey to find the legendary treasure “One Piece.” Inspired by the pirate Shanks, Luffy aims to become the King of the Pirates, accompanied by a diverse crew.
