The 19th Seiyu Awards ceremony unfolded on March 15, 2025, at the Cultural Broadcasting Media Plus Hall, drawing attention to the remarkable talents within the voice acting community. This annual celebration, organized by KADOKAWA, Cultural Broadcasting, and Shogakukan, recognizes voices who have made significant impacts over the past year.
Among the highlight winners at this year's awards were Miho Okasaki and Keiji Fujiwara, honored with the Lead Voice Actor Award for their outstanding contributions. Okasaki was recognized for her role as Rimuru Tempest in the popular anime series 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.' After receiving her award, she expressed her gratitude, stating, "表現と言う世界がない世界で、ご褒美をいただけて、今後は自信をもって仕事ができます。私が最初に思い描いていたのは夢は『魔法使いになる！』ということでした。" (Translation: "Receiving this honor allows me to work with confidence, realizing my dream of becoming a magician.")
Fujiwara, who played Gegege no Kitaro's father, expressed appreciation for the support he received, stating, "この受賞を対象となったのは『鬼太郎誕生 ゲゲゲの謎』と聞いております。水木を演じた木内さんとのバディものの作品でした。応援していただいた、たくさんの皆様ありがとうございました。" (Translation: "I understood this award was dedicated to my role as Gegege no Kitaro's father. I would like to thank everyone for their support.").
The Newcomer Voice Actor Award was presented simultaneously to five talented individuals: Ayaka Ishibashi, Masatake Takezawa, Hiroki Nanami, Hayashika, and Kodaka. Ishibashi, after receiving the award for her performance as Yuga Ohdo, confidently remarked on her continued commitment to her craft, stating, "これからも作品と役に真摯に向き合い、感謝の気持ちを忘れずにこれからも、この名誉ある賞に恥じぬように努めたいと思います" (Translation: "I will sincerely face my future works and roles, never forgetting my feeling of gratitude.").
Takezawa, visibly emotional as he acknowledged his mother’s presence at the ceremony, exclaimed, "会場に母親が来ているのですが、生んでくれてありがとう。ここまで育ててくれてありがとう…" (Translation: "My mother is here today, and I want to thank her for giving birth to me and for raising me this far...").
The ceremony also featured awards for various categories including Best Supporting Actor, which highlighted talents like Hidenobu Kiuchi and Yoshiko Hikasa. Each recipient reiterated their joy and appreciation for the recognition they garnered within such esteemed company.
Meanwhile, the MVS (Most Valuable Seiyu) award was secured for the second consecutive year by Yuichi Nakamura, who shared his heartfelt gratitude: "皆様の思いが何よりの励みになっています" (Translation: "The thoughts of everyone have been my greatest motivation."). His consistency speaks volumes about his dedication and popularity among fans within the anime industry.
One notable mention at the 19th Seiyu Awards is the synergism award, which aims to honor voices of great significance within collectively impactful works. This year, the 'Mobile Suit Gundam SEED' series showcased the voices captivating many hearts through compelling storytelling and inventive characters.
The ceremony serves not only as recognition of talent but also fosters encouragement for aspiring new voices hoping to carve their niche within the booming anime industry. Watching these individuals express their emotions solidifies the importance of community, mutual respect, and progression within the art of voice acting.
Overall, the 19th Seiyu Awards highlighted the ever-evolving voice acting industry, showcasing the intersection of passion, talent, and recognition. With such splendid displays of talent on stage, audiences look forward to seeing how today's newcomers, such as Ishibashi and Takezawa, will continue to flourish and impact the future of animation storytelling.