Kazuki Yao, Who Plays Franky in ONE PIECE, Leaves The Series

Kazuki Yao, aged 65, who has portrayed Franky in the “ONE PIECE” TV anime since 2005, is stepping down from the role after nearly 20 years of voicing the character.

_{Official announcement:}

Kazuki Yao comment:

A sad farewell was in order. I had to say goodbye to the person with whom I had shared almost a quarter of a century of my life…

You could call it an out-of-body experience, but a gulf had opened up between Franky, who represented my ideal, and me. So I decided to stay away from Sunny for a while. Regrettable! Sad!

I’m really sorry! Can’t wait for the Jump Festa on December 22!

At Jump Festa 2025, the successor’s name will be revealed during ONE PIECE’s Super Stage RED on Sunday, December 22, which will also feature Mr. Yao’s graduation ceremony.

Now 25 years since the series’ TV premiere, “ONE PIECE” has taken its place as part of mainstream pop culture, attracting fans of all ages. Today, the franchise encompasses 15 feature films, numerous video games, a trading card game and a constantly growing catalog of licensed apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, games, sporting goods, stationary, gifts, novelties, household goods, books, food & beverage, and location-based entertainment.

Crunchyroll describes the series as follows:

Monkey. D. Luffy refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of his quest to become the king of all pirates. With a course charted for the treacherous waters of the Grand Line and beyond, this is one captain who’ll never give up until he’s claimed the greatest treasure on Earth: the Legendary One Piece!

WIT STUDIO and Netflix announce the production for “THE ONE PIECE“, a new ONE PIECE project! This project will recreate the story of the original “ONE PIECE” manga, starting from the East Blue arc.

Source: Official Twitter

Film © 1999 Toei Animation Co., Ltd. © Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation

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