Tetsu Inada
Tetsu Inada (稲田 徹, Inada Tetsu; born July 1, 1972) is a Japanese voice actor from Hachiōji, Tokyo, known for his deep bass voice and versatile performances in anime, video games, and tokusatsu productions.[1] Affiliated with the prominent talent agency Aoni Production since his training at Aoni Juku Tokyo School's 14th term, Inada debuted in the mid-1990s and has built a prolific career spanning nearly three decades.[2][3] Inada's voice work is particularly celebrated in major anime series, where he has portrayed authoritative and imposing characters such as Endeavor (Enji Todoroki) in My Hero Academia, Ira Gamagoori in Kill la Kill, and Mr. 1 (Daz Bonez) and Jesus Burgess in One Piece.[2] His contributions extend to video games, including the recurring role of Lu Bu in the Dynasty Warriors series, Huang Gai in the same franchise, Zin Vathek in The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, and Tachibana Muneshige in Sengoku BASARA.[2] Beyond animation, Inada has lent his voice to tokusatsu heroes like Doggie Kruger in Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger and narration duties in programs such as Kutsudaru and Brain Spa IQ Supplement.[2] He has also dubbed international films, notably as Gilgamesh (voiced by Ma Dong-seok) in Eternals.[2] With a height of 184 cm (6 ft 0 in) and a commanding presence, Inada remains active in Japan's entertainment industry as of 2025, with recent roles in series like New Saga and achievements in professional wrestling, contributing to both iconic franchises and diverse media formats.[4]Early Life
Childhood and Interests
Tetsu Inada was born on July 1, 1972, in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.[3] From a young age, he aspired to become a professional wrestler, drawn to the physicality and drama of the sport.[5] Inada's dreams of a wrestling career were cut short by a knee injury sustained during his early training attempts, which forced him to abandon the pursuit.[5] This setback ultimately redirected his ambitions toward voice acting, where his robust voice and energetic delivery would find a new outlet. Despite the injury, Inada has maintained a lifelong passion for professional wrestling, often channeling this enthusiasm into roles that feature wrestler characters or themes.[5] Similarly, his childhood fascination with special effects media, particularly tokusatsu heroes, has influenced his selection of powerful, heroic roles in the genre throughout his career.[6]Education and Training
Following high school, in the early 1990s, Inada enrolled in the 14th class of Aoni Jyuku's Tokyo program, the official voice acting training school affiliated with Aoni Production.[7] The one-year intensive course focused on developing foundational skills in acting, narration, and vocal performance, preparing students for professional entry into the industry. Inada completed the program in the early 1990s, paving the way for his professional debut in 1994.[8][9] During his training at Aoni Jyuku, Inada honed his vocal control, particularly leveraging his natural deep bass register, documented as spanning from F to G across two octaves and a second.[7] This period emphasized techniques for modulation, projection, and emotional expression suited to animation, dubbing, and other media. His longstanding interest in professional wrestling also influenced a physical approach to vocal training, enhancing his stamina and dynamic delivery.[10]Career
Debut and Agency History
Tetsu Inada made his professional debut in 1994, shortly after graduating from the 14th class of Aoni Jyuku, the voice acting training school operated by Aoni Production. His early career featured minor roles in anime series and video games, leveraging his distinctive deep bass voice to portray authoritative or robust characters.[11][3] Following his graduation, Inada joined Aoni Production as his initial agency affiliation, where he began building his portfolio in the mid-1990s with supporting parts that showcased his vocal range in action-oriented productions. This period marked the foundation of his professional trajectory in the industry, with steady work in animation and gaming media. He has remained affiliated with Aoni Production since then.[2][11]Voice Acting Highlights
Tetsu Inada is widely recognized for his deep, bass-heavy voice, which lends itself effectively to authoritative, muscular, or villainous characters across anime, video games, and tokusatsu productions.[12] This vocal timbre has become a hallmark of his performances, enabling him to embody commanding figures with intensity and gravitas.[13] Inada achieved a breakthrough during the 2000s with standout roles such as Sajin Komamura, the wolf-like captain in the long-running anime Bleach (2004–2012, with sequels), and the formidable warrior Lu Bu in the Dynasty Warriors video game series, beginning with Dynasty Warriors 2 (2000).[3][13] These performances established his reputation for bringing depth to physically imposing and battle-hardened archetypes in action-heavy narratives.[3] His prominence continued to grow in the 2010s, particularly through his portrayal of Endeavor (Enji Todoroki), the fiery pro hero and complex anti-hero in My Hero Academia (2016–present), a role that showcased his ability to convey both stern authority and emotional nuance.[3] Inada's role selections often reflect patterns of deep-voiced protagonists, antagonists, or even comedic relief in high-stakes, action-oriented stories, contributing to ensemble dynamics in serialized formats.[13] Spanning from his professional debut in 1994 to ongoing work in 2025, including roles such as Gazas in New Saga, Inada's career has increasingly focused on integral parts in long-running series, with recent highlights including the enigmatic Game Master in Brave Bang Bravern! (2024) and sustained contributions to One Piece through various recurring characters.[9][14]Other Activities
In addition to his primary career in voice acting, Tetsu Inada has pursued limited involvement in professional wrestling through DDT Pro-Wrestling, where he has competed in matches and served as a ring announcer.[15] His participation reflects a personal passion for the sport, leading to appearances in gimmick bouts that blend entertainment with athleticism.[16] Inada has achieved notable success in DDT's Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship, a comedic title known for its frequent changes and unconventional defenses. He has held the championship multiple times, with reigns often lasting briefly amid the promotion's chaotic booking style, including at least ten reigns by early 2025.[17] For example, on January 18, 2025, he defeated Poison Sawada JULIE by pinfall.[18] Later, on June 17, 2025, Inada pinned Mecha Fist to become the 1,734th champion, and he continued participating in events through September 2025.[15] These accomplishments underscore his integration into the wrestling scene without a full-time commitment.[19] Beyond wrestling, Inada has contributed as a narrator across television, radio, and promotional media, capitalizing on his resonant, authoritative baritone to enhance documentary-style content, commercials, and events. His narration work includes the children's program Kutsudaru., where he provided voiceover guidance, and the Fuji Television educational series Nōnai Esute IQ Sapuri, delivering explanatory segments on cognitive exercises.[2] On radio, he supplied the opening narration for NHK's Yoru no Espresso, setting an engaging tone for the evening broadcast.[2] These roles demonstrate his versatility in non-scripted formats, often tied to educational or promotional contexts that align with his professional profile. Inada also engages in voice actor events, fan meet-and-greets, and tokusatsu-themed appearances, fostering direct connections with audiences through live readings, panels, and special guest spots that highlight his enthusiasm for the medium.[20]Filmography
Anime
Tetsu Inada made his anime debut in 1994 and has since provided voices for a wide array of characters in television series and original net animations, often portraying strong, imposing figures in action-oriented narratives. His deep, commanding vocal style has made him a staple in shonen anime, contributing to both long-running series and standalone productions.[3] The following table highlights representative roles, organized chronologically by debut year, focusing on major and notable contributions.| Year(s) | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Yu Yu Hakusho | Chu[13] |
| 1999–present | One Piece | Mr. 1 (Daz Bonez), Patty, Richie, Jesus Burgess (among various others)[21] |
| 2001 | Tales of Eternia: The Animation | Efreet |
| 2004–2012, 2022–present | Bleach | Sajin Komamura, Love Aikawa[22] |
| 2005 | Tsubasa Chronicle | Kurogane |
| 2006 | Busou Renkin | Saruwatari[23] |
| 2009–2019 | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood / Fairy Tail | Roa / Brain[24][25] |
| 2013 | Kill la Kill | Ira Gamagoori[26] |
| 2016–present | My Hero Academia | Enji Todoroki / Endeavor[27] |
| 2019–present | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba | Father Spider Demon (Lower Moon Five)[28] |
| 2024 | Blue Miburo | Naozumi Kyohachi[29] |
| 2024 | Brave Bang Bravern! | Cupiridas[30] |
| 2024 | Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc | Sunshine[31] |
| 2024 | One Piece: Fan Letter | Rich Kid Marine[32] |
| 2025 | The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the Shadows | Goldran[33] |
| 2025 | Dusk Beyond the End of the World | Vare[34] |
| 2025 | Ishura Season 2 | Uhak the Silent[35] |
| 2025 | Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers | Leo Whitefang |
| 2025 | New Saga | Gazas |
Films
Tetsu Inada began contributing to animated feature films and OVAs in the early 2000s, initially with minor and supporting roles before taking on more prominent characters in major theatrical releases and adaptations during the 2010s and 2020s. His film work frequently overlaps with his television anime portrayals, such as Sajin Komamura in the Bleach movies and Endeavor in the My Hero Academia series of films. The following is a chronological selection of his notable voice roles in animated films and OVAs:- 2004: One Piece: Dead End Adventure as Gu, Bobby, and Pogo.
- 2005: Super Robot Taisen OG: The Animation as Elzam von Branstein.
- 2006: Bleach: Memories of Nobody as Sajin Komamura.
- 2007: Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion as Sajin Komamura.
- 2007: Tsubasa: Tokyo Revelations as Kurogane.
- 2008: Bleach: Fade to Black as Sajin Komamura.
- 2009: Tsubasa: Shunraiden as Kurogane.
- 2020: Fate/Grand Carnival as Charles Babbage.
- 2017: Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. presage flower as True Assassin (Hassan-i-Sabbah).
- 2018: Dragon Ball Super: Broly as Nappa.[36]
- 2019: Promare as Varys Truss.[37]
- 2019: My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising as Endeavor (Enji Todoroki).
- 2019: Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel II. lost butterfly as True Assassin (Hassan-i-Sabbah).
- 2019: One Piece: Stampede as Jesus Burgess.
- 2020: Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel III. spring song as True Assassin (Hassan-i-Sabbah).
- 2021: My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission as Endeavor (Enji Todoroki).[38]
- 2023: Gridman Universe as Alexis Kerib.
- 2024: My Hero Academia: You're Next as Endeavor (Enji Todoroki).