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Another One Piece Voice Actor Retires

Kazuki Yao steps out of the role of Franky after 26 years of work in One Piece

franky yao one piece
ONE PIECE © 1997 by Eiichiro Oda/SHUEISHA Inc.

As of today, December 8, 2024, Kazuki Yao, the voice actor of Franky in One Piece, officially retires from the role after 26 years of broadcasting One Piece.

Ever since October 4, 2024, Yao’s health concerns have been a source of worry for fans considering his major role in the One Piece anime.

Two One Piece Voice Actors Step Back

In his statement, Yao states that he has “felt a gap between himself and the Franky he envisioned, so he has decided to get off the Sunny for now,” likely a reference to his health and performance slowly getting in the way of his work as Franky’s voice actor.

A new successor will be announced December 22 at Jump Festa 2025.

It is also likely that his other roles, such as Jango and Bon Clay (who has yet to make any notable appearance in the anime), will be replaced, with Jango having already been voiced by Wataru Takagi in Episode 1121: “Garp and Kuzan – A Clash of Justice Between Master and Apprentice”.

Source: Twitter

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