Gundam Archives

The Legendary Voice of Anime: Tōru Furuya

Born on July 31, 1953, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Tōru Furuya is a renowned Japanese voice actor and narrator. As a child, he was part of Gekidan Himawari, a children’s acting troupe, and is currently employed by Aoni Production.

A Legendary Career

Furuya is best known for his iconic roles in various anime series, including Amuro Ray in Mobile Suit Gundam, Hyūma Hoshi in Star of the Giants, Pegasus Seiya in Saint Seiya, Yamcha in Dragon Ball, Kyōsuke Kasuga in Kimagure Orange Road, and Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon. These roles have become an integral part of his legacy and are considered some of his most important works.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his illustrious career, Furuya has received numerous awards and accolades for his outstanding contributions to the world of anime. His dedication and passion for his craft have earned him a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide.

Recent Developments

In May 2024, Furuya publicly apologized for his involvement in an extramarital affair with a fan 37 years his junior, which lasted for approximately four and a half years. As a result, his Showroom program was cancelled, and he was dropped from Metaphor ReFantazio, with all of his characters being recast. He also announced his decision to step down from his roles in Detective Conan and One Piece. Bandai Namco is currently considering replacing him as the voice of Amuro Ray in future Gundam series.

Filmography

Furuya’s extensive filmography includes:

• Television animation: Kaizoku Ōji, Star of the Giants, Mobile Suit Gundam, Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and many more.
• Original video animation (OVA): Prefectural Earth Defense Force, Super Mario Bros.: Peach-Hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!, One-pound Gospel, and more.
• Anime films: Star of the Giants series, Mobile Suit Gundam series, Dragon Ball series, Saint Seiya series, and many more.
• Video games: Another Century’s Episode series, BS Super Mario Collection, Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness, and more.
• Live action: Tokyo Defense Command: The Guardman
• Tokusatsu: UFO Daisensou: Tatakae! Red Tiger, GoGo Sentai Boukenger vs. Super Sentai, and more.
• Radio: Nissan A, Abe Reiji ~ beyond the average ~
• Dubbing roles: Yuen Biao, The Young Master, Project A, and more.

Trivia

Furuya has had a long and illustrious career, with numerous awards and accolades to his name. Despite recent controversies, his legacy as a voice actor and narrator continues to inspire new generations of anime fans.