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20 Exciting Facts About Mamoru Miyano: The Voice Actor with a Golden Touch

As an avid anime fan, I’ve been enthralled by Mamoru Miyano’s voice work for over a decade. Though I could recognize his iconic voice anywhere, I’ve realized just how little we know about the man behind the mic.

Join me as I uncover the story of this prolific voice actor who brings anime’s most legendary characters to life. Discover the intense training that shaped his velvet vocals and unmatched emotional range.

Whether you know him as Light Yagami’s chilling tones in Death Note or Tamaki Suoh’s flamboyant charm in Ouran High School Host Club, this glimpse into Mamoru’s world will deepen your appreciation for his dedication to his craft. Here are 20 exciting facts about Mamoru Miyano.

1. He was born in Saitama Prefecture in the Kant艒 region of Honshu

Mamoru Miyano was born on June 8, 1983, in Saitama Prefecture, located in the Kanto region of Japan’s main island of Honshu. This makes Miyano a native of Saitama, part of the Greater Tokyo Area.

Born in the early 1980s and raised in Kanto, Miyano grew up embedded in the culture of the Tokyo metropolitan region, which would later become the center of Japan’s voice-acting industry.

His birthplace in Saitama Prefecture and upbringing near Tokyo set the stage for Miyano’s future success as a prolific voice actor in Japan’s capital.

2. His older brother influenced him to join a theatre school

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Influenced by his older brother Shota, Mamoru Miyano joined the Himawari Theatre Group as a youngster. However, Miyano did not regularly attend theatre classes and lessons as a child.

Despite his initial involvement thanks to his brother’s encouragement, Miyano was not very engaged or dedicated to the drama sessions early on. Though he had exposure to acting through the youth theatre program, Miyano was not particularly motivated or consistent in participating.

It would take time before Miyano fully committed himself to pursuing the craft of acting and honed his natural talents in earnest through training.

3. Mamoru discovered his musical style through encounters with music produced by singers like CHEMISTRY and EXILE

When Mamoru Miyano entered high school, he began skipping singing and dance lessons, feeling uncertain about his future direction.

During this period of musical inactivity, Miyano started discovering his musical tastes by listening to artists like CHEMISTRY and EXILE. Through exposure to these musicians’ work, he identified the types of music that resonated with him.

Despite drifting away from formal training, Miyano’s high school years opened him up to new musical influences that would eventually help shape his artistic identity and singing style as he rediscovered his passion for performance.

4. He debuted as a voice actor in the live-action teen drama Caitlin’s Way in 2001

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Miyano made his voice acting debut in 2001 on the live-action teen drama Caitlin’s Way, which aired on Nickelodeon and YTV.

This American-Canadian TV series that ran from 2000-2002 marked Miyano’s first voice-acting role, providing the Japanese dubbing for the show. Through foreign media, Caitlin’s Way allowed Miyano to get his foot in the door with voice work for a youth-oriented drama.

His role dubbing this series that co-creators Thomas Lynch and Paul Belous produced represented Miyano’s inaugural opportunity to lend his voice talents to a major production as a newcomer.

5. He made his film debut in The Prince of Tennis

Miyano is an accomplished voice actor who has had many notable roles. He joined the cast of The Prince of Tennis Musical as Tetsu Ishida and later reprised this role in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II.

His most acclaimed role was voicing Light Yagami in the anime Death Note, for which he received nominations for Best Lead Actor and Best New Actor at the first Seiyuu Awards.

Miyano also made his film debut in The Prince of Tennis. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated versatility in portraying various characters across different mediums.

6. Miyano’s debut single, “Kuon” was released at King Records in 2007

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In addition to voice acting, Miyano has pursued a singing career. He made his singing debut in 2007, releasing his first single “Kuon” on the King Records label.

“Kuon” reached #47 on the Oricon charts and was used as the ending theme for the anime series K艒tetsu Sangokushi. That same year, Miyano collaborated with voice actress Romi Park on the duet “Fight”, which charted at #73 on Oricon.

Through these musical releases and live performances, Miyano has been able to showcase his talents as a singer alongside his acclaimed voice-acting roles. His success in both fields demonstrates his versatility as an entertainer.

7. He won his first award, “Best Voice Actor”, at the 2008 Tokyo International Anime Fair

Miyano has portrayed many noteworthy roles in his voice acting career, two of the most acclaimed being Setsuna F. Seiei in Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and Light Yagami in Death Note.

As the lead character, he brought Setsuna to life in Gundam 00. His compelling performance as Light in Death Note earned Miyano nominations at the first Seiyuu Awards for Best Lead Actor and Best New Actor. This breakout role demonstrated his talent and earned critical praise.

In 2008, Miyano won his first voice acting award for Best Voice Actor at the Tokyo International Anime Fair held annually in Tokyo, Japan, recognizing his successful portrayals of both Light Yagami and Setsuna F. Seiei.

Through embodying these characters, Miyano cemented himself as a standout voice actor capable of portraying lead roles. His award wins validate his acting talents and ability to compellingly bring animated characters to life.

8. His music style ranges from pop to rock

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Miyano has shown versatility as a musical artist, with his songs spanning pop and rock genres. His debut single “Kuon” demonstrated his pop sensibilities, while other tracks like “Discovery” exhibit a heavier rock sound.

Regardless of genre, Miyano’s powerful vocals and emotional delivery resonate through his music. Some of his most impactful songs include the introspective ballad “…Kimi e,” the uplifting “Discovery,” and his haunting debut “Kuon.”

Though his musical style is varied, Miyano’s stellar vocal talents and ability to connect with listeners are consistent hallmarks across his discography.

9. Mamoru’s debut album ‘Break’ was released in March 2009

After establishing himself as a singer, Miyano released his first full album “Break” on March 11, 2009. The album debuted at number 20 on the charts, marking a milestone in his musical career.

Following this achievement, Miyano embarked on his first solo concert tour a month later on April 11, 2009. Named the “1st Live Tour 2009: Breaking,” this tour allowed Miyano to directly connect with fans and share his music across Japan.

The release of his debut album followed by his first nationwide tour demonstrated Miyano’s growth as a solo artist and furthered his career beyond voice acting into music.

10. His second album, ‘Wonder’ was released in 2010

Miyano followed up his successful debut album with the release of his sophomore album “Wonder” in 2010. Much like his first album, “Wonder” also charted impressively by reaching number 20 on the Oricon Weekly Albums chart.

With another hit album under his belt, Miyano embarked on his second national concert tour to promote the record. Titled “Mamoru Miyano Live Tour 2010: Wondering,” this tour enabled him to share new music with fans across Japan.

The achievement of his second album and tour further cemented Miyano’s status as a musically talented voice actor with a blossoming solo career.

11. Miyano participated in the 2011 theatrical play Ultraman Premier in Tokyo

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In 2011, Miyano expanded his acting career by participating in a stage play production. He took on the role of Shin Moroboshi, the human identity of Ultraman Zero, in the live theatrical show “Ultraman Premier” in Tokyo.

This allowed Miyano to showcase his talents beyond voice work and demonstrate his abilities as a live actor on stage. Portraying the lead character of Shin/Ultraman Zero in this high-profile production represented a significant opportunity for Miyano to increase his visibility and reach new audiences.

His involvement in Ultraman Premier displayed his desire for continued growth and diversity as an entertainer.

12. He became the first male voice actor with number 1 single on Oricon daily chart in 2015

Throughout his musical career, Miyano has achieved impressive chart placements on Oricon with both singles and albums. His songs regularly appeared on Oricon’s daily charts as his popularity grew.

In 2015, Miyano reached a new milestone by becoming the first male voice actor to have a number-one single on the Oricon daily chart. This accomplishment highlights his unique status as both a successful voice actor and solo music artist able to top the charts.

By leading the way for male voice actors to find musical success, Miyano has paved the path for others while cementing his place in Oricon chart history through his 2015 number-one single.

13.  Miyano became the first male voice actor to top the weekly Blu-ray chart in 2017

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Miyano achieved new firsts in his singing career in 2017. In February, he held his first solo concerts outside Japan in Taiwan. This helped expand his musical fanbase overseas.

Later in June of that year, Miyano became the first male voice actor to top Japan’s weekly Blu-ray charts. This demonstrated his popularity and prowess as both a singer and voice actor.

Through these pioneering achievements, Miyano continues to break boundaries for male voice actors wanting to pursue dual careers in music. His back-to-back milestones in 2017 cemented his status as an internationally acclaimed entertainer rising to the top of the charts.

14. He made his first appearance at FNS Music Festival performing duets with Nana Mizuki and Hiromi Go

In December 2018, Miyano reached a career milestone by making his first appearance on the prestigious FNS Music Festival TV special. This annual music program airing on Fuji TV features the biggest names in Japanese pop music.

Miyano performed duets with established singers Nana Mizuki and Hiromi Go during the broadcast. His participation in this high-profile event demonstrated his mainstream popularity and success in crossing over from voice acting into a legitimate music career.

By being invited to perform on a major program like the FNS Music Festival alongside top artists, Miyano cemented himself as an A-list singer who can hold his own.

15. He is a football fan

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Outside of his entertainment career, Miyano has shared that football is one of his great personal passions. He developed a love for playing the sport back in secondary school, spending many hours immersed in games with friends.

Even after becoming an adult, Miyano maintained this lifelong passion for football. Despite his busy schedule, he makes time to play his favorite sport, getting exercise and enjoyment out of the activity he has loved since his teenage years.

Miyano enjoys having football as an outlet from work where he can connect with his youthful spirit and engage in something purely for fun based on his interests.

16. Miyano’s voice has been used in some of the theme songs in the animated films he has featured in

Miyano made his singing debut with the single “Kuon” in 2007. The song reached number 47 on the Oricon charts and gained exposure as the ending theme for the anime K艒tetsu Sangokushi. This successful first single launched Miyano’s singing career alongside his voice acting.

17. He is a huge fan of manga

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In addition to his professional work, Mamoru Miyano has a deep personal passion for manga. He is an especially huge fan of the Dragon Ball universe created by Akira Toriyama, following the series closely throughout his life.

Miyano also enthuses about many other manga series, appreciating the art form and its creative storytelling. His love of manga demonstrates his connection to Japanese pop culture and his interests outside of acting and music.

As a voice actor, Miyano’s lifelong enjoyment of manga also likely inspires his character portrayals and story interpretation when voicing anime roles. His fandom reveals his relatable nature as someone who simply loves manga as art and entertainment.

18. He effortlessly navigates between genres

Mamoru adeptly traverses diverse genres with remarkable ease. Renowned for his multifaceted talents in music and voice acting, Miyano seamlessly transitions between various genres, displaying exceptional versatility.

From lending his voice to characters in anime, notably in “Death Note” and “Ouran High School Host Club,” to showcasing his musical prowess in pop, rock, and ballads, Miyano captivates audiences across a broad spectrum.

His ability to interpret roles with depth and deliver diverse musical styles with finesse underscores his versatility and adaptability, cementing his reputation as an artist capable of effortlessly navigating between genres, garnering widespread admiration and acclaim.

19. Miyano has a unique and recognizable fashion sense

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Miyano exudes a distinct and recognizable fashion sense that sets him apart. Known for his eclectic style, Miyano effortlessly combines elements of edgy, contemporary, and occasionally flamboyant fashion.

Often seen in bold and unconventional attire, he embraces a wide range of clothing choices, from chic streetwear to avant-garde ensembles, showcasing a penchant for vibrant colors, statement pieces, and unique accessories.

His fearless approach to fashion and ability to experiment with diverse looks, coupled with his charismatic presence, has solidified his status as a trendsetter.

Miyano’s eclectic and individualistic fashion choices have left a lasting impression, making him a fashion icon with a style that stands out distinctly in the entertainment industry.

20. He is a gaming enthusiast

Miyano has demonstrated his passion for video games through various roles and projects. He voiced the character Riku in the Kingdom Hearts games, showing his talent for bringing game characters to life.

Miyano also recorded the song “Discovery” as the intro for the game Fushigi Y奴gi: Suzaku Ibun, merging his music with gaming. These examples and his enthusiastic participation in other gaming-related work exhibit Miyano’s interest as a gaming fan.

When he can make time in his busy schedule, he enjoys indulging in gaming for fun, showing how it’s an integral hobby in his life beyond professional opportunities. Miyano’s gaming credentials span his voice acting and music careers.

Following this insightful exploration into Mamoru’s path, my admiration for his skill and unwavering dedication has grown immensely. While I’ve long cherished his memorable voices, I’ve merely begun to uncover the depths of his journey.

Understanding how he ascended to prominence illustrated why he’s regarded as a legendary voice actor. As Mamoru persists in breathing life into anime’s most remarkable characters, I’ll be eagerly anticipating his next remarkable performance.

Regardless of the direction his prolific career may take, count me as a steadfast fan eagerly anticipating another chance to be enthralled by his exceptional voice!