Japanese voice actor Natsuki Hanae, known for numerous anime roles, including Okarun in And Da andVanity in The Case Study of VanitasMakoto Misumi in Tsukimichiand perhaps most notably, Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibaopened up about losing both his parents by the age of 20-21 and how he honors their memory. Speaking on Fuji TV’s Let Me Tell Your FortuneSponichi Annex reports Hanae saying:
“My mother passed away when I was about 18 or 19. I had just started working when I was about 20 or 21, and then my father passed away. My grandmother, who I lived with, also passed away the year after, or the year that. That period was pretty much rock bottom for me. But because I had that feeling, there are many parts of my work that I can use. I think to myself, ‘I wonder if that was the last gift I got from my parents,’ while I’m working as a voice actor.
When I act out sad scenes, I can be moved to tears immediately. I can cry the moment I remember it. I see it in a very positive way now, but I haven’t overcome it yet.“
Hanae is one of Japan’s most popular voice actors, regularly receiving praise for his work on many characters who have faced immense hardship and risen from rock bottom. He’s often among the top voice actors in Anime Corner’s seasonal polls, most recently ranked 5th in Spring 2025, and second overall in the Male Seiyuu of the Year poll in 2024. You can check out our interview with Hanae and Shogo Sakata in their most recent roles in Tougen Anki. He’s set to star in sell-out screenings of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castlewhich debuts in just 3 more days on July 18.
Source: Sponichi Annex
© Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA / Aniplex / ufotable
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