In Japan, voice actors – known as seiyuu – are celebrated as major stars. They play a crucial role in bringing animated characters to life with personality and emotion. In fact, many fans choose their favorite characters by voice alone, and top voice actors often have dedicated fan clubs. The global boom of anime has further amplified their fame and earnings. These talented individuals aren’t just anonymous voices; in Japan they’re considered celebrities in their own right, often earning impressive incomes from anime, video games, films, and even music projects. While newcomers may start on modest salaries, veteran seiyuu with iconic roles can command significantly higher pay. Some have even branched into singing careers, live concerts, and international dubbing, all of which boost their reputation and revenue.
Why do some voice actors earn more than others? Longevity and signature roles are big factors. Starring in a long-running, world-famous series (like Dragon Ball or Naruto) can secure steady work and royalties for years. Versatility and popularity also count – actors who voice multiple hit characters or who cross over into singing and stage performances often build a larger fanbase and more income streams. In this article, we will look at 15 of the highest paid Japanese voice actors, highlighting their career backgrounds, famous roles, and estimated earnings. Each of these seiyuu has made a unique mark on the industry and ridden the wave of anime’s global success to tremendous professional heights.
List of 15 Highest Paid Japanese Voice Actors
1. Masako Nozawa
Estimated Earnings: ~$20 million (net worth)
Masako Nozawa is a living legend in the anime world. Active since the early 1960s, she has voiced characters across generations of fans. Nozawa is best known as the voice of Son Goku from the Dragon Ball series – a role she’s been performing for decades. In fact, she has voiced Goku (as well as Goku’s sons Gohan and Goten) continuously since the original Dragon Ball aired in 1986. Her high-energy performance as the Saiyan hero is so iconic that it’s nearly impossible for fans to imagine Goku with any other voice. Nozawa also lent her voice to the beloved robot cat Doraemon for a short time in the 1970s, showing her remarkable range (yes, Goku’s Japanese voice is voiced by a woman!). Over the years she has portrayed characters in classics like GeGeGe no Kitaro and Pokémon as well.
With such an enduring career and globally recognized roles, it’s no surprise Masako Nozawa is reported to be the highest-paid voice actor in Japan. Her estimated net worth is around $20 million, putting her at the very top of the industry. She even holds Guinness World Records for the longest time voicing the same character in video games (for Goku, over 23 years) – a testament to her longevity. Nozawa’s influence in the industry is profound: she has inspired countless younger actors and set the standard for what it means to truly become a character through voice. Even in her 80s, she continues to voice Goku in new films and games, showing no signs of slowing down. Masako Nozawa’s talent, dedication, and the lasting popularity of her characters have rightfully earned her the status of voice acting royalty.
2. Ryo Horikawa
Estimated Earnings: ~$18 million (net worth)
Ryo Horikawa’s deep, commanding voice has brought to life one of anime’s most famous rivals: Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z. As the long-running voice of Vegeta, Horikawa benefited greatly from the global success of the Dragon Ball franchise. He first took on the role in the late 1980s and has voiced the Saiyan prince in countless episodes, movies, and video games since. Beyond Vegeta’s gruff Saiyan pride, Horikawa’s resume spans many other fan-favorite series. He voiced Heiji Hattori, the Osaka-accented teen detective in Detective Conan, and Andromeda Shun in the classic Saint Seiya. Gamers might also recognize him as the voice of Captain Falcon in the Super Smash Bros. series (yes, the one who shouts “Falcon Punch!”).
Thanks to these iconic roles, Ryo Horikawa has amassed an estimated net worth of about $18 million, placing him among the richest seiyuu of all time. He has been active in voice acting since the 1960s, and even as he entered his late 60s he showed no intention of retiring. Horikawa’s passion for his craft is evident – he continues to take on anime and game projects, and even does narration and dubbing work. His enduring presence in huge franchises like Dragon Ball means fans across the world instantly recognize his voice. Horikawa’s career demonstrates how a single breakthrough role (like Vegeta) can propel a voice actor to decades of success, especially when combined with versatility and dedication to the art.
3. Masakazu Morita
Estimated Earnings: ~$10 million (net worth)
Masakazu Morita rose to prominence as the voice of one of shounen anime’s most famous heroes – Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach. He voiced Ichigo throughout the entire original run of the anime (over 300 episodes) and has returned for the recent revival of the series, solidifying his association with the orange-haired Soul Reaper. Masakazu Morita’s talents aren’t limited to one character, though. He has been active since the mid-1990s and worked on a variety of major franchises. For instance, he is the Japanese voice of Whis – the calm, enigmatic angel attendant – in Dragon Ball Super. Video game fans might know him as Tidus from Final Fantasy X (in the Kingdom Hearts series and other cross-overs). He even does dubbing for foreign actors; interestingly, Morita is the official Japanese dub voice for Hollywood actor Zac Efron, showing his range from anime to live-action localization.
With an estimated net worth around $10 million, Masakazu Morita stands among the top-paid voice actors in Japan. Early in his career he won the “Best Rookie Actor” award at the first Seiyuu Awards for his impressive debut performances. Over time, he has continued to land prominent roles across anime (One Piece, Mobile Suit Gundam, Detective Conan, etc.) and games (Genshin Impact, where he voices Thoma). Morita’s energetic performances and ability to handle both heroic protagonists and quirky characters have made him a highly respected figure in the industry. His contribution to huge hits like Bleach and Dragon Ball Super not only earned him fame but also financial success, as he remains one of the most sought-after male seiyuu in the business.
4. Natsuki Hanae
Estimated Earnings: ~$5 million (net worth)
Natsuki Hanae represents the newer generation of superstar voice actors, having shot to stardom in the last decade. He is best known for voicing Ken Kaneki, the troubled half-ghoul protagonist of Tokyo Ghoul, and Tanjiro Kamado, the kind-hearted demon slayer in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Both of these roles earned him widespread recognition in Japan and internationally. Tokyo Ghoul was a hit with Western audiences, and Demon Slayer became a global phenomenon – at one point the Demon Slayer movie even broke box office records worldwide. Hanae’s heartfelt performance as Tanjiro, conveying both compassion and fierce determination, endeared him to millions of fans. It’s easy to see how these opportunities launched him into the ranks of high-earning seiyuu.
Despite being relatively young (he was born in 1991), Natsuki Hanae has accumulated an estimated net worth of around $5 million. His success comes not only from hit anime but also a plethora of video game roles and dubbing work. In fact, Hanae has over 70 video game credits to his name – voicing characters in popular games and even doing Japanese dubs for Western films like Cruella and Pacific Rim. He’s affiliated with Across Entertainment agency and has shown an exceptional work ethic, sometimes juggling multiple lead roles in a single season. Fans also enjoy his off-screen personality; he runs a YouTube channel where he does game playthroughs and interacts with viewers, further boosting his popularity. With Demon Slayer continuing strong and many new projects in line, Hanae’s career is still on the rise. He illustrates how quickly a talented actor can ascend in the modern anime era, especially when they helm globally popular series.
5. Yuichi Nakamura
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.7 million (net worth)
Yuichi Nakamura is a household name among anime enthusiasts, known for his smooth, versatile voice that fits a variety of cool and charismatic characters. He has a lengthy list of prominent roles. To name just a few: Gray Fullbuster, the ice-wielding mage from Fairy Tail; Bruno Bucciarati, the gang member with a heart of gold from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind; Tetsu Kuroo in Haikyuu!!; and Satoru Gojo, the eccentric sorcerer-teacher in Jujutsu Kaisen. Nakamura’s voice brings a distinct charm whether he’s playing a calm mentor, a comedic sidekick, or a brooding antihero. He is also notable for dubbing Western films into Japanese – for instance, he provides the voice of Captain America (Steve Rogers) in many of the Marvel movies for Japanese audiences. This crossover work has broadened his appeal beyond anime into mainstream cinema.
In terms of earnings, Yuichi Nakamura’s estimated net worth is around $1.7 million. He stays extremely busy, appearing in one hit franchise after another, which ensures a steady stream of income. When he’s not in the recording booth, Nakamura sometimes appears in live-action TV segments and maintains a presence on social media and YouTube. His YouTube channel, where he chats about hobbies (like his love of motorcycles and camping) and occasionally collaborates with other voice actors, has further boosted his profile. Fans love his laid-back yet candid personality. Nakamura’s broad skill set – spanning anime, video games, and film dubbing – and his willingness to engage with fans have solidified his status as one of the industry’s top stars. He’s a perfect example of a modern seiyuu who balances prolific voice roles with personal branding and side ventures.
6. Yuki Kaji
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.6 million (net worth)
Yuki Kaji (often billed in Japanese name order as Kaji Yuki) is one of the most popular male voice actors of the past decade, thanks to a string of leading roles in blockbuster anime. He is the voice behind Eren Yeager, the passionate protagonist of Attack on Titan, as well as Shoto Todoroki, the cool, half-hot/half-cold hero-in-training from My Hero Academia. These two characters alone are part of globally successful franchises, which has significantly raised Kaji’s profile worldwide. He’s also known for roles like Meliodas in The Seven Deadly Sins, Issei Hyodo in High School DxD, and Kenma Kozume in Haikyuu!!. Early in his career, Kaji mostly played supporting parts in series like Gundam and Detective Conan, but he quickly climbed the ranks to land major protagonists. His ability to convey intense emotion (just think of Eren’s rage or Todoroki’s inner conflict) has earned him multiple awards, including the Best Lead Actor at the Seiyuu Awards (which he won two years in a row).
Given his popularity and workload, Yuki Kaji has done very well financially – his net worth is estimated around $1.6 million. He has also ventured into music; at one point he was part of a voice actor singing group called G.Addict, and he occasionally performs character songs for soundtracks. Additionally, Kaji is active on the radio and web shows – notably, he hosts a radio program and often appears on panels at anime events. Fans appreciate his friendly, sometimes goofy personality offscreen, which contrasts with some of the serious roles he plays. As the voice of two of the most iconic anime characters of the 2010s (Eren and Todoroki), Kaji’s influence is far-reaching. He even married another famous voice actress (Ayana Taketatsu), making them a real power couple in the seiyuu world. All this success at a relatively young age ensures that Yuki Kaji will remain at the forefront of the industry for years to come.
7. Hiroshi Kamiya
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.5 million (net worth)
Hiroshi Kamiya has a dedicated fan following and is often cited as a favorite voice actor by anime fans worldwide. With his distinctively sharp and expressive voice, Kamiya has brought to life characters across the spectrum – from cool heroes to quirky comedians. Arguably his most internationally recognized role is Levi Ackerman, the stoic and intimidating captain from Attack on Titan, and Trafalgar Law, the suave pirate from One Piece. He’s also well known for voicing Izaya Orihara, the sly informant from Durarara!!, Yato from Noragami, and Seijuro Akashi in Kuroko’s Basketball. His ability to portray sly, mysterious characters (like Levi or Izaya) with a mix of charm and menace has made his performances memorable. Kamiya’s work extends beyond anime into tokusatsu (live-action superhero shows) narration and even radio. In fact, he co-hosts a popular radio show called Dear Girl: Stories with fellow voice actor Daisuke Ono, where the two discuss their lives and entertain fans weekly.
Despite his huge popularity, Hiroshi Kamiya’s net worth is estimated at a modest $1.5 million, suggesting that he is selective with projects or perhaps focuses on passion projects as well as mainstream hits. He has won multiple industry awards – including Best Lead Actor at the 3rd Seiyuu Awards – which speaks to his talent and respect among peers. Kamiya is also a singer; he has released character song albums and one of his singles even charted on Oricon (Japan’s music ranking chart). His influence in the industry is notable: many younger voice actors look up to him, and fans often recognize a “Hiroshi Kamiya role” because of the unique tone he brings. With a career that balances big shounen anime, artsy projects (like the monologues of Bakemonogatari’s Araragi Koyomi, another role of his), and radio/personal media, Kamiya has crafted a multifaceted legacy. He’s a prime example of how voice actors in Japan can cultivate a strong personal brand and loyal fanbase, contributing to both their financial success and lasting reputation.
8. Takahiro Sakurai
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.5 million (net worth)
Takahiro Sakurai is known for his smooth, elegant voice that often lands him roles as charismatic villains or complex pretty-boys. He has a rich catalog of characters. Early in his career, he voiced Kouichi Kono in Cardcaptor Sakura, one of the first anime that made a splash internationally in the late 90s. He later took on the role of Sasori, a member of the Akatsuki, in Naruto Shippuden – a character with a cool demeanor that Sakurai portrayed perfectly. Fans of Code Geass know him as Suzaku Kururugi, the conflicted best friend turned rival to Lelouch. In JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, he voiced Rohan Kishibe, an eccentric manga artist. More recently, Sakurai played Giyu Tomioka, the reserved Water Hashira in Demon Slayer, and Reigen Arataka, the hilarious con-man psychic in Mob Psycho 100. Beyond anime, he is also the Japanese voice of Cloud Strife (from Final Fantasy VII and related games) and has dubbed Western films – for example, he is the Japanese dubbing voice for Robert Pattinson in the Twilight series.
With so many high-profile roles over the years, Takahiro Sakurai has earned a reputation as one of the top veteran seiyuu, with an estimated net worth of about $1.5 million. He has been active since the late 1990s and remains in high demand. Sakurai’s industry status is significant: he often gets cast in ensemble casts of big productions and has a leading presence in event panels and interviews. Colleagues and fans admire him for his professional demeanor and consistency in performance. Interestingly, Sakurai has also pursued stage acting and narrations, showing his versatility beyond the recording studio. Despite a recent personal controversy that made headlines, his standing in the voice acting field remains strong – producers continue to seek him for major roles, and his fan following is still very loyal. Takahiro Sakurai’s enduring career reflects how a voice actor can maintain top-tier status through adaptability and delivering quality performances time and again.
9. Romi Park
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.5 million (net worth)
Romi Park is a powerhouse female voice actress famed for voicing young male heroes and strong female characters alike. She has a distinctive, rich voice that can sound convincingly boyish, which has landed her some legendary roles. Most notably, Romi Park is the voice of Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist. Her portrayal of Ed – the hot-headed teen alchemist with a vulnerable side – is often praised as one of the best in anime, full of raw emotion and intensity. Park carried that role through the original series (2003) and the reboot Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009), as well as movies and games, making Ed’s voice one of the most recognized in anime history. She also voices Hange Zoë in Attack on Titan, the eccentric scientist of the Survey Corps, bringing both humor and depth to the character. Fans might also know her as Tōshirō Hitsugaya, the prodigy captain from Bleach, and Temari in Naruto. Her range even extends to female characters like Nana O (Nana Osaki) in NANA, where she plays a punk rock vocalist with a cool attitude.
Having contributed to several massively popular series, Romi Park has achieved an estimated net worth of about $1.5 million. Beyond her earnings, her influence in the industry is significant as a trailblazer. She is of Korean descent (born to Korean-Japanese parents) in an industry historically dominated by Japanese talent, and she has spoken about carving her path as a minority – which is inspiring to many. Park has won awards such as Best Actress in supporting roles, and she’s highly respected for her acting skills. With a career spanning the late 1990s to now, she has remained relevant by continuously taking on new challenging roles (for example, she voices Carla Jaeger – Eren’s mother – also in Attack on Titan, showing she can do mature women as well as young boys). Romi Park’s versatility and the iconic nature of characters like Edward Elric have cemented her status as one of the top-paid and most influential voice actresses in Japan.
10. Rie Kugimiya
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.5 million (net worth)
Rie Kugimiya has earned the affectionate title of “Queen of Tsundere” among anime fans – a nod to the many feisty, strong-willed young girl characters she has voiced over the years. She is perhaps best known as Taiga Aisaka in Toradora! and Louise in The Familiar of Zero, both textbook examples of the tsundere (tough exterior, secretly caring) archetype. However, Kugimiya’s most famous roles actually showcase her incredible range beyond just sassy girls. She provided the sweet, innocent voice of Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist – the gentle suit of armor who is the younger brother of Edward. Her performance made Al’s kindness and occasional sadness very believable, complementing Romi Park’s Ed perfectly. Another beloved role of hers is Happy, the cheerful flying cat mascot in Fairy Tail, where she showed off a more comedic, high-pitched voice. Kugimiya has also voiced characters like Shana in Shakugan no Shana and Kagura in Gintama, spanning lead roles in both dramatic and comedic series.
All these popular roles have translated into financial success – Rie Kugimiya’s net worth is estimated around $1.5 million. She has been one of Japan’s top female voice actresses since the mid-2000s, consistently landing roles in each anime season. In her early career, she won several awards, including Best Actress, thanks to the sheer popularity of her characters. Fans not only love the characters she portrays but also recognize her voice instantly; it became something of a trend that if an anime had a small, fiery-tempered girl, Rie Kugimiya was likely the voice behind her. Despite being strongly associated with a specific character type, Kugimiya has avoided being typecast by taking on diverse projects (for example, voicing a young boy like Alphonse or a creature like Happy). Her long-term success and fan adoration show how a voice actress can create a personal “brand” and yet continue to surprise audiences. Even after two decades in the industry, Kugimiya remains in high demand, truly earning her place among the highest-paid voice actors in Japan.
11. Nana Mizuki
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.5 million (net worth)
Nana Mizuki is a multi-talented superstar who has built a dual career as a voice actress and a singer. In the realm of anime, she has voiced many notable characters. Early on, she played Hinata Hyuga in Naruto, bringing a soft-spoken warmth to the beloved character. She also voiced Fate Testarossa in the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series and Wrath in the original Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) – an interesting fact that ties her to the same franchise as Romi Park and Rie Kugimiya. More recently, Mizuki had a role in the Dragon Ball universe as Cheelai in Dragon Ball Super: Broly. But where Nana Mizuki truly stands out is how she leveraged her voice acting fame into a massively successful singing career. She has released numerous hit songs and albums, many of which were theme songs for anime shows or games. In 2009, her album Ultimate Diamond reached #1 on the Oricon music chart, making her the first voice actress ever to top the charts en.wikipedia.org. The following year, her single “Phantom Minds” also hit #1 confirming that her music stardom was no fluke.
Financially, Nana Mizuki’s ventures have paid off well – her net worth is estimated around $1.5 million (and this might just be from public estimates; considering her concert tours and merchandise sales, her overall earnings could be higher). She regularly sells out concert halls, including legendary venues like the Tokyo Dome, where she was the first seiyuu-singer to perform solo. Mizuki’s powerful singing voice and energetic live performances have earned her a reputation as an “anisong” (anime song) queen. Meanwhile, she continues to contribute to anime and game voice roles, though in recent years she’s selective, often choosing parts that involve singing or unique characters. Nana Mizuki’s impact on the industry is huge: she proved that voice actors could become bona fide music idols, paving the way for many younger seiyuu to pursue singing careers. Her success story is frequently cited in media as a model of how diverse talent and cross-medium appeal can make voice acting a truly lucrative career.
12. Maaya Sakamoto
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.5 million (net worth)
Maaya Sakamoto is another shining example of a voice actress who has also made a name for herself in music. Sakamoto debuted at a young age – at just 16, she landed the leading role of Hitomi Kanzaki in the classic anime The Vision of Escaflowne (1996). Not only did she voice the heroine, but she also sang the series’ beautiful theme song, immediately establishing her dual identity as singer and voice actor. Over the years, Maaya Sakamoto has voiced a wide array of characters: Haruhi Fujioka, the charming female lead who disguises herself as a boy in Ouran High School Host Club; Lightning (Claire Farron) in the Final Fantasy XIII video game series; Motoko Kusanagi (young adult version) in Ghost in the Shell: Arise; and Shinobu Oshino in the Monogatari series (a mysterious vampire girl), among many others. She often brings a calm, soothing quality to her roles, but can also deliver fierceness and drama when needed – a versatility that has kept her in high demand. In 2021, she voiced the lead character in the anime film Super Crooks, showing she’s still taking on new challenges.
Maaya Sakamoto’s estimated net worth is about $1.5 million, which comes from her lengthy career in voice work supplemented by her music earnings. As a singer, she has released numerous albums and is known for her collaborations with famed composer Yoko Kanno. Many of her songs have been used as anime opening or ending themes (for example, “Triangler” for Macross Frontier and “Platina” for Cardcaptor Sakura). She has even performed on stage in musicals and has done Japanese dubbing for Hollywood films (she’s the Japanese voice of Padmé Amidala in Star Wars, for instance). Sakamoto is admired for her polished and gentle singing voice as much as for her acting. Having essentially grown up in the spotlight (with a career spanning her teens to now her forties), Maaya Sakamoto has remained remarkably consistent and scandal-free, earning respect throughout the industry. Her ability to juggle voice roles, music production, and even being a mother in recent years (she’s married to fellow voice actor Kenichi Suzumura) makes her achievements all the more impressive. She stands as a role model for aspiring seiyuu who hope to explore multiple facets of the entertainment world.
13. Saori Hayami
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.5 million (net worth)
Saori Hayami is one of the prominent voice actresses of the younger generation, known for her smooth and elegant voice. She often portrays characters who are calm, graceful, or soft-spoken – but she’s certainly not limited to that range. Hayami’s breakout roles include Yukino Yukinoshita in My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (OreGairu), where she played an icy-intelligent high school girl, and Ayase Aragaki in Oreimo. More recently, she has been the voice of some extremely popular characters: Shinobu Kocho, the serene yet deadly Insect Hashira in Demon Slayer; Yor Forger, the skilled assassin (and doting mother by disguise) in the hit series Spy x Family; and Yamato in One Piece, a major new character introduced in the Wano arc. Saori Hayami is also well-known in the gaming community as the voice of Kamisato Ayaka in Genshin Impact, one of the game’s beloved heroine characters. Her voice has a calming, melodious quality that fans adore, and she’s often cast in roles that require a mix of strength and kindness.
Though she started her career around 2007, Hayami’s rise to the top tier has been steady rather than overnight. Now in her early 30s, she has amassed over a hundred role credits and, along with that, an estimated net worth of about $1.5 million. Like many of her peers, Saori Hayami has also dabbled in singing; she has released a few singles and performed theme songs for anime (for example, she sang “Yasashii Kibou,” the opening for Snow White with the Red Hair, in which she also voiced the lead). Her music style tends to be as gentle as her voice acting. Hayami’s career growth reflects the expanding opportunities for female seiyuu in the current anime landscape – with more anime produced than ever, she has been able to take on numerous high-profile parts simultaneously. Her fanbase both in Japan and abroad continues to grow thanks to roles in globally popular series like Demon Slayer and Spy x Family. As she keeps landing lead roles in big franchises, Saori Hayami is solidifying her place as one of the top-paid and most influential voice actresses of her era.
14. Daisuke Ono
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.5 million (net worth)
Daisuke Ono’s rich, velvety baritone voice has made him a fan-favorite for cool, mature characters – especially those who exude authority or charm. Perhaps his most iconic role is Sebastian Michaelis, the demon butler in Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji), where Ono’s smooth and polite tone (with an undercurrent of menace) sent many fans swooning. Another career-defining role for him is Jotaro Kujo in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, the stoic and tough-as-nails JoJo protagonist. Ono’s deep voice fit Jotaro’s famous catchphrase “Yare yare daze” perfectly, and he reprised this role in subsequent JoJo series. In Attack on Titan, he voiced Erwin Smith, the inspiring commander of the Survey Corps, delivering rousing speeches that gave listeners goosebumps. He’s also known for playing Shizuo Heiwajima in Durarara!! and Itsuki Koizumi in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (early in his career). Interestingly, Daisuke Ono and Hiroshi Kamiya (number 7 on this list) often work together – besides co-hosting the Dear Girl: Stories radio show, they’ve played partners or friends in several anime (for example, Ono was Sinbad in Magi while Kamiya was Ali Baba).
Daisuke Ono’s success in these popular series has earned him an estimated net worth of about $1.5 million. He has received multiple awards, including Best Lead Actor at the Seiyuu Awards (thanks to Sebastian’s role). Ono is also a singer and has released character song albums and solo albums; he occasionally performs live for events and anime musicals. His social media presence is strong – he garnered a larger following after Black Butler especially, where fans loved his portrayal and his catchy character song “Ash Like Snow.” Ono’s industry reputation is that of a reliable leading man in voice acting, often cast when a series needs a voice with gravitas. Off the mic, he’s known for being personable and even a bit goofy (fans enjoy his humorous antics on stage events, which contrast with the serious characters he plays). With a voice that many listeners instantly recognize, Daisuke Ono continues to be a top pick for directors and a beloved figure to fans, keeping him firmly among the highest paid voice actors in Japan.
15. Mamoru Miyano
Estimated Earnings: ~$1.3 million (net worth)
Mamoru Miyano is a true multi-industry entertainer – he’s a voice actor, singer, and even a theater actor, and he brings an undeniable star power to everything he does. Internationally, anime fans likely know him best as the voice of Light Yagami from Death Note. Miyano’s performance as Light (the genius student turned deadly vigilante) was chilling and brilliant, earning him critical acclaim and a huge fan following. He also famously voiced Tamaki Suoh, the flamboyant host club king in Ouran High School Host Club, showing off his comedic timing and over-the-top charm. Some of his other major roles include Zero Kiryu in Vampire Knight, Death the Kid in Soul Eater, Rintaro Okabe in Steins;Gate, Masaomi Kida in Durarara!!, and more recently Ryuji in Persona 5: The Animation (and game). Miyano is notable for his wide vocal range – he can do deep and sinister (like Light or Chrollo in Hunter x Hunter), or high-energy and goofy (like Tamaki or Dazai in Bungou Stray Dogs). It’s no surprise he often lands very dynamic characters.
Financially, Mamoru Miyano has an estimated net worth of around $1.3 million. In addition to his anime work, he voices many characters in video games and is regularly cast in Japanese dubs of foreign content (he even provided the voice for a character in the Japanese dub of Demon Slayer, as an interesting cross-project cameo). But a big part of Miyano’s career is his music. He has a successful singing career, performing theme songs for anime and original songs. His live concerts are known to be flamboyant and fun, much like his personality – he’s a natural showman who often dances and engages comically with the audience. In 2008, Miyano won the Best Lead Actor award at the Seiyuu Awards for his role as Setsuna F. Seiei in Gundam 00, marking him as one of the top talents of his generation. He’s also been recognized as one of the most popular voice actors in polls year after year. Mamoru Miyano’s reputation in the industry is stellar: he’s seen as someone who can do it all. Whether it’s voicing an intense protagonist, belting out a power ballad on stage, or acting in a musical (he’s played roles in stage productions like The Prince of Tennis musicals), Miyano pours energy and charisma into it. His broad reach across different media has not only made him well-off but also one of the most influential ambassadors of the anime voice acting world to the general public.
Voice Over Royalty
The voice actors highlighted above have truly become voice over royalty in Japan. They have shaped the anime industry with performances that fans remember for a lifetime, and their influence extends far beyond just speaking lines in a studio. In Japan, seiyuu are treated like stars – they appear on talk shows, perform at packed concert venues, and attract crowds at fan events. Many of the names on this list have ridden the wave of anime’s global popularity, finding fans on every continent who recognize their work. It’s not uncommon now for Japanese voice actors to be invited to international conventions, where they are greeted by overseas fans as warmly as movie actors or pop singers would be.
What sets these top earners apart is not only talent but also how they’ve leveraged that talent across multiple avenues. Their work goes beyond Japan through worldwide streaming of anime, international dubbing projects, and global video game franchises. Some, like Nana Mizuki and Mamoru Miyano, have successful music careers alongside voice acting, while others engage in radio, theater, or prolific dubbing of Hollywood films. This diversification has turned voice acting into a very lucrative career for those at the top of the field. According to industry chatter, elite seiyuu can earn tens of thousands of dollars per episode for a starring role in a popular series, and that’s before additional income from advertisements, CD sales, or live appearances. Of course, not every voice actor in Japan makes a fortune – it’s a competitive field with a tiered ranking system for pay – but the ones we’ve discussed have broken through that ceiling. They’ve proven that providing voices for animated characters can lead to real-world fame and financial success.
In summary, these 15 highest paid Japanese voice actors have not only given life to some of our favorite characters but have also become ambassadors of anime culture. Through their voices, they’ve conveyed emotions that resonate across language barriers, contributing to anime’s booming global fanbase. They truly deserve the title of “voice over royalty,” and their careers continue to inspire new generations of actors. As the anime industry evolves with new technologies and a growing international audience, one thing remains constant: great voice acting is the heart and soul of memorable animation, and in Japan, the seiyuu will continue to be celebrated – both for their artistic contributions and for turning their passion into a prosperous profession.
