India as powerful as 'One Piece' world: Japanese voice actor Yamaguchi
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‘One Piece’ voice actors Kappei Yamaguchi (L) and Hiroaki Hirata (R) pose beside their on-screen personas Usopp and Sanji respectively at Comic Con Mumbai 2025.
Mumbai: Japanese voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi, known for his iconic role as Usopp in the globally acclaimed anime series 'One Piece,' has praised the strong bond between Japan and India, calling it a precious connection that both nations should cherish. Yamaguchi believes that India is a country as powerful as the fictional world depicted in 'One Piece.'
Speaking in an interview with PTI, Yamaguchi expressed his admiration for India, saying, "I thought India was a very powerful country, an exciting country, and I myself have grown to love this country. The fact that the people of this country are supporting 'One Piece' makes me think that it is a country that is just as powerful as the world of 'One Piece.'"
Yamaguchi, who has voiced the character Usopp since the anime’s debut in 1999, remarked on the show's global reach, saying, "'One Piece' can really make everyone smile, and I think that's the case in India, as well as in America and Europe. I've had the opportunity to experience this myself by traveling to various places."
Yamaguchi, who recently visited India alongside his 'One Piece' co-star Hiroaki Hirata for Mumbai Comic Con 2025, emphasized the significance of the shared bond between Japan and India. "It's a really precious bond that we should continue to cherish," he added.
Hiroaki Hirata, who voices Sanji in the series, also shared his excitement about 'One Piece's' success in India. He noted that while he had always known the show was popular worldwide, he truly experienced its immense fanbase firsthand during his travels to the U.S. and India. "When people from countries like India get excited, the power they show is incredible," Hirata remarked.
As both actors have been voicing their characters for over 25 years, Yamaguchi revealed that they originally auditioned for the roles of Luffy and Zoro. However, Mayumi Tanaka and Kazuya Nakai ultimately took on the roles of Luffy and Zoro, respectively.-
Reflecting on his role as Usopp, Yamaguchi admitted that he was initially worried about playing the character but now feels deeply connected to him after 25 years. "I think Usopp has already become familiar to me, to the point where I wonder what my initial concerns were," he said, adding that over the years, he has been able to infuse his own emotions and personality into the character, making Usopp one of the most flexible roles he’s ever had.
For Yamaguchi, his involvement in 'One Piece' has had a profound impact on his career. "The fact that I can feel happy about being able to work on this series is the greatest thing of all," he said. "We have been given a wonderful gift in the form of the 'One Piece' series, which brings a smile to people's faces and allows them to talk to each other."
Hirata also spoke about how joining 'One Piece' transformed his life. "I was already a famous voice actor, but I was unknown before joining the cast of 'One Piece'. So, when I got the role of Sanji, my life completely changed," Hirata said, adding that "One Piece" fans didn't know who he was at the time of his casting.
The heartfelt reflections of both Yamaguchi and Hirata underscore their enduring passion for the show, which has become a beloved and unifying force across the globe, including in India.
With PTI inputs
