Yūki Ono
Yūki Ono (小野 友樹, Ono Yūki; born June 22, 1984) is a Japanese voice actor and singer from Shizuoka Prefecture.[1] Ono made his debut as a voice actor in 2006, providing a supporting role in the anime Sgt. Frog.[2] He gained prominence through lead and major supporting roles in popular series, including Taiga Kagami in Kuroko's Basketball, Louis in BEASTARS, and Shirō Ashiya in The Devil Is a Part-Timer!.[1] Other notable performances include Josuke Higashikata in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable and Ultraman Belial in the Ultraman franchise.[3] His versatile baritone voice has made him a sought-after talent for energetic and intense characters across anime, video games, and live-action dubbing.[4] Previously affiliated with the agency Atomic Monkey since his debut, Ono became a freelancer in October 2017 following a personal announcement on his official blog.[5] In the same year, he revealed that he had been married since 2010 to a non-celebrity woman who prefers privacy.[6] Three years later, in August 2020, Ono shared the birth of his first child, a son.[7] As of 2025, he maintains an active presence on social media, including Instagram, where he shares updates on his professional endeavors.[1]Biography
Early life and education
Yūki Ono was born on June 22, 1984, in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. His father worked as an NHK announcer, which exposed him to the world of broadcasting and narration from an early age, fostering an initial interest in voice-related work. As an only child, Ono experienced frequent relocations due to his father's career, shaping his adaptability during childhood.[8] From a young age, Ono developed a passion for anime and manga, which played a significant role in his early media exposure and later career direction. He also pursued sports enthusiastically, particularly soccer, reflecting his active upbringing in Shizuoka. These hobbies provided a balance between imaginative entertainment and physical pursuits, though no specific details on dubbing exposure during this period are documented beyond his general affinity for animated content.[4] Ono attended Shizuoka Prefectural Shizuoka High School, where his primary aspiration was to become a professional soccer player. He excelled in the sport, earning a scout invitation from J.League club Shimizu S-Pulse to train with their youth team. However, a bone fracture sustained in his third year forced him to abandon these ambitions, marking a pivotal shift in his goals toward performance arts.[9] Following high school, Ono enrolled at Waseda University in the School of Sport Sciences, where he continued to engage with athletics while exploring broader interests. During his university years, he discovered voice actor Kishō Taniyama's work, which sparked his enthusiasm for voice acting as a potential career path. He graduated in 2006 and soon pursued formal training in the field.Personal life
Ono married a woman who is not in the public eye in 2010, keeping the union private during his affiliation with the talent agency Atomic Monkey. He disclosed the marriage seven years later through a personal blog post on October 2, 2017, shortly after transitioning to freelance work, expressing regret for the delay but affirming his commitment to his career and fans.[6] In August 2020, Ono and his wife welcomed their first child, a son, which he announced via another blog post on August 28. In the statement, he shared that the family would raise the child tenderly amid challenging times and emphasized his intention to balance fatherhood with his responsibilities as a voice actor and provider, continuing to work diligently while seeking support from fans.[7] Ono maintains a low profile regarding his personal life, limiting media disclosures to occasional blog updates and prioritizing a clear separation between his family and professional spheres to protect his privacy. As a freelancer based in Tokyo, he has adjusted his lifestyle to accommodate family needs, benefiting from the flexibility of independent scheduling.[6] Outside of work, Ono enjoys sports and games, including soccer, table tennis, golf, and collecting Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, reflecting his background in sports science.[10]Professional career
Voice acting debut and affiliations
After graduating from Waseda University in 2006, Yūki Ono pursued voice acting by applying to a public audition held by the talent agency Atomic Monkey in the fall of 2005, where he was accepted as a trainee. He joined the agency in April 2006 and enrolled in its affiliated training school, focusing on foundational skills in narration, character portrayal, and performance techniques during his first year. This structured program prepared him for professional work, building on his earlier interest in performance inspired by voice actor Kishō Taniyama.[4] Ono made his voice acting debut the same year, 2006, with minor supporting roles in anime series. His first credited appearance was as an unnamed alien in episode 108 of Keroro Gunsō (Sgt. Frog), marking his entry into the industry through small, ensemble parts that honed his versatility.[1] Subsequent early roles included a soldier in Yōsei Fūzoku Kongō no Toru (The Good Witch of the West) and a station attendant in Yume Tsukai, both from 2006, as well as brief appearances in established series like Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch in 2007, where he voiced subordinate characters.[4] These initial auditions and castings, often for background or one-off parts, reflected the competitive nature of breaking into anime voice work, with Ono securing opportunities through agency recommendations and persistent tryouts during his training period. Ono remained affiliated with Atomic Monkey throughout the early stages of his career, from 2006 until October 2017, during which the agency managed his growing portfolio of supporting roles into the mid-2010s.[11] In 2017, he announced his departure from the agency via his official blog, transitioning to freelance status effective October 1 to pursue independent management of his schedule and projects.[11] This shift provided him with greater autonomy in selecting roles, and he has since maintained a robust workload, continuing to voice characters in major anime productions without interruption.[1]Breakthrough roles and style
Ono's breakthrough came in 2012 with his portrayal of Taiga Kagami, the passionate and athletic protagonist in the sports anime Kuroko's Basketball. This role represented a significant shift in his career, transitioning him from supporting parts to leading roles in high-energy sports series, where he captured Kagami's fiery determination and competitive spirit.[4] His vocal style features a deep, energetic baritone that excels in voicing hot-blooded protagonists, infusing characters with intensity and vitality. Ono demonstrates remarkable range, shifting from explosive, action-oriented deliveries in battle sequences to nuanced, dramatic inflections in emotional scenes, as seen in Kagami's rivalries and personal growth arcs.[4] In recognition of his versatile supporting performances, including Kaname Tsukahara in Kimi to Boku, Ono shared the Best Supporting Actor award at the 7th Seiyū Awards in 2013 alongside Junichi Suwabe.[12][13] Ono's international profile surged with his casting as Josuke Higashikata in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable, which premiered in 2016 and garnered global acclaim for its unique storytelling and style. This role highlighted his ability to embody cool-headed yet fiercely protective heroes, contributing to the series' widespread popularity abroad.[14][15] Following his departure from Atomic Monkey in late 2017 and transition to freelance status effective October 2017, Ono's career evolved to encompass a broader array of projects, allowing greater flexibility in selecting diverse roles. He has since specialized in intense, muscular characters requiring physicality and raw power in their vocalization, while emphasizing versatility and emotional depth in his performances. In interviews, Ono has discussed drawing from his own personal energy to infuse roles with authenticity, prioritizing immersive character exploration over surface-level delivery.[4][10]Music career
Discography
Yūki Ono debuted as a singer with the character song single for Taiga Kagami from the anime Kuroko's Basketball, released on May 23, 2012, marking his entry into music tied to his voice acting roles.[16] This release featured original songs and monologues performed by Ono, establishing his vocal range in energetic, character-driven tracks. Subsequent singles often linked to anime projects, such as unit songs with co-seiyū like the duet "Onaji Vanilla no Kaze no Naka" with Kenshō Ono for Kuroko's Basketball, released August 29, 2012, which peaked at #12 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for 9 weeks.[17] Ono's solo discography emphasizes mini-albums released primarily through Lantis and later independent labels, showcasing pop-rock infused with upbeat, motivational themes that echo his baritone voice acting intensity. His energetic delivery, blending rock elements with catchy melodies, often draws from personal and festive motifs, as seen in the "Party Man" series. By 2025, Ono has released over 10 singles (including digital and unit tracks) and 5 mini-albums, with additional digital EPs and covers expanding his output post-2020.[18][10]Solo Mini-Albums
| Title | Release Date | Label | Oricon Peak | Key Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party Man | June 22, 2015 | Lantis | #39 | "Party Night", "Ano Ko to Twist", "Black or White" |
| Party Man 2 | June 22, 2016 | Lantis | #44 | "Soran Night", "Genkai Boy", "Koi no Uta" |
| Party Man 3 | June 22, 2017 | Lantis | N/A | "Tarzan Night", "Hatsukoi no Karyuudo", "Jungle Fever" |
| Friend Tree Wonderland | June 19, 2019 | Friend Tree Record | #61 | "Friend Tree Wonderland", "Liar Circus", "Ama no Gawa Record" |
| Winter Voice Friends | December 18, 2019 | Friend Tree Record | N/A | "Mission 'Claus'", "Two Fake Planes", "Yuki" |
Live performances and collaborations
Yūki Ono held his first solo live concert, titled YUKI ONO 1st LiveFilmography
Anime and animation
Ono made his anime debut in 2006, voicing supporting characters in established series before gaining prominence with lead roles in sports and action genres.[31]Television anime
Ono's television anime roles span a wide range of genres, from comedy and slice-of-life to supernatural and sports dramas, often portraying intense, youthful protagonists or allies. His breakthrough came with athletic and heroic figures, showcasing his energetic vocal delivery.- In Gintama (2006–2015), he voiced Shigeshige Tokugawa, the shy and kind-hearted Shogun of Edo, appearing in multiple arcs as a recurring supporting character.[1]
- For Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You (2009–2011), Ono provided the voice of Kazuichi Arai, a supportive friend in the high school romance, contributing to episodes 1–25 in season 1.[31]
- He led as Zenkichi Hitoyoshi in Medaka Box (2012), the determined student council treasurer and narrator who aids the protagonist, across all 12 episodes.[1]
- Ono's most iconic role is Taiga Kagami in Kuroko's Basketball (2012–2015), a hot-headed power forward and rival-turned-teammate on the Seirin High basketball team, voicing the character throughout the 75-episode series and related specials.[32]
- In The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (2013), he portrayed Shirō Ashiya (Alciel), the loyal demon general serving as the protagonist's roommate and strategist in a comedic fantasy setting, in episodes 1–13.[31]
- As Josuke Higashikata in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable (2016), Ono voiced the pompadour-sporting high schooler with the Stand Crazy Diamond, leading the 39-episode arc centered on mystery-solving in Morioh.[1]
- He starred as Louis in Beastars (2019–2021), the ambitious red deer drama club president navigating prejudice and ambition in a carnivore-herbivore divided academy, across seasons 1 and 2 (24 episodes total).[32]
- In Blue Lock (2022–present), Ono voices Rensuke Kunigami, a principled striker competing in a high-stakes egoist training program, as a key supporting player in the ongoing series.[1]
- For Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (2022–present), he dubs Bazz-B, a hot-tempered Quincy fighter with explosive abilities, in supporting capacity during the final arc's battles (episodes 1–52 across parts).[31]
- More recently, in Blue Box (2024), Ono voices Shōta Hyōdō, a third-year basketball captain and romantic interest, in this sports romance series.[33]
- In 2025, he leads as Osuke Momokado in Tougen Anki: Dark Demon of Paradise, the vice-captain of the Momotaro Agency's 20th Unit fighting yokai in Nerima District (premiered July 11, 2025).[34]
- In 2025, Ono voiced Yūichi Medaka, a central figure in Captivated, by You (premiered August 21, 2025).[35]
- In Headhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four! (2025), Ono leads as Dennosuke Uchimura, a salaryman summoned to another world as one of the Demon King's Four Heavenly Kings.[36]
OVA/ONA
Ono has contributed to original video animations and net animations, often reprising roles or taking on nuanced supporting parts in limited-run projects.- In Medaka Box Abnormal (2012 OVA), he reprised Zenkichi Hitoyoshi as the lead, continuing the abnormal student's adventures in two episodes.[1]
- For the ONA Fate/strange Fake -Whispers of Dawn- (2023), Ono voiced Saber (Richard the Lionheart), a heroic spirit in the magical Grail War, across the three-episode prelude.[31]
- He starred as Eishin Kuga in Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai: Don't Stay Gold (2022 ONA), portraying a yakuza enforcer in this BL drama's adaptation, in episode 1 of the series.[1]
- In Hybrid Child (2014 OVA), Ono voiced Kuroda, a human companion to an android in this sci-fi romance anthology, in the "Kuroda" segment.[31]
- The Beastars final season ONA (2024) featured Ono reprising Louis as a main character in concluding episodes.[32]
Animated films
Ono's animated film credits primarily involve extensions of his television roles, with occasional original characters in feature-length stories.- He voiced Taiga Kagami in Kuroko's Basketball: Winter Cup - Shadow and Light (2016 compilation film), recapping tournament highlights.[1]
- In Kuroko's Basketball: Last Game (2017), Ono reprised Kagami as a lead in this sequel film pitting Japanese players against an American streetball team.[31]
- For Blue Lock: Episode Nagi (2024), he voiced Rensuke Kunigami in this spin-off film exploring the character's backstory in the soccer program's origins.[1]
- Ono appeared as Shigeshige Tokugawa in the compilation film Gintama on Theater 2D: Ikkoku Keisei-hen (2024).[31]
Live-action and tokusatsu
Yūki Ono entered the tokusatsu genre in the late 2000s, primarily providing voice work for monsters, villains, and supporting characters in major franchises like Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, and Ultraman. His contributions often involve dubbing over suit actors, bringing vocal intensity and character nuance to physically demanding action sequences. Ono's debut in tokusatsu came with minor roles in Kamen Rider series, such as voicing Kamen Rider Larc in the 2009 film Kamen Rider Decade All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker and the Taboo Dopant in Kamen Rider W (2009–2010).[37] In 2012, Ono's tokusatsu presence expanded significantly with his first major antagonist role as Ultraman Belial in Ultra Zero Fight, succeeding the original voice actor Hiroyuki Miyasako and infusing the character with a commanding, malevolent tone that complemented the suit actor's imposing physicality during battles. That same year, he voiced the monster Parabolaloid 2 in episode 40 of Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, marking his initial foray into Super Sentai voice work. Throughout the 2010s, Ono continued voicing various kaijin (monsters) in Kamen Rider entries, including the Shroud in Kamen Rider W (2010) and supporting roles in Kamen Rider OOO (2010–2011), where his versatile delivery heightened the dramatic tension in transformation and fight scenes.[38][39] Ono's role as Balance (Tenbin Gold) in Uchu Sentai Kyuranger (2017) showcased his ability to portray heroic yet quirky personalities, voicing the justice-obsessed member of the Kyuranger team across the series and its film Uchu Sentai Kyuranger the Movie: Gase Indaver Strikes Back. Concurrently, he reprised Ultraman Belial in Ultraman Geed (2017), extending the character's arc into a complex father-son dynamic with Ultraman Zero, and later voiced Belial's weapon form Beliarok in Ultraman Z (2020). These performances enhanced the suit actors' efforts by syncing vocal roars and dialogue with high-energy combat choreography, adding layers of menace and charisma to the live-action spectacle. In 2025, Ono reprised Belial and Beliarok in Ultraman New Generation Stars Season 3 (episodes 7-18).[40][38] Into the 2020s, Ono maintained his tokusatsu involvement with voices like Fralio in the 2023 series Ride Kamens and Granute Le Beet in Kamen Rider Gavv (2024), a candy-themed villain whose episodic appearances featured Ono's dynamic range in taunting heroes during pursuit sequences. As of November 2025, his ongoing portrayal of Belial in Ultraman multimedia projects, including films and specials, continues to define his impact in the genre. Ono has occasionally provided narration for tokusatsu-related live events and specials, such as the 2013 GRANRODEO concert, broadening his live-action footprint beyond on-screen roles.[41]Video games
Yūki Ono's voice acting in video games began in the late 2000s with minor supporting roles that helped establish his presence in the medium. His debut game role was as Karis in the tactical RPG Summon Night 5 (2009, Nintendo DS), marking an early entry into console titles during his rising career.[1] These initial parts in the 2000s and early 2010s were typically ensemble or secondary characters, paving the way for more prominent leads in action and fighting games by the mid-2010s.[42] Ono gained significant recognition in video games through major credits in high-profile franchises. He voiced the lead character Josuke Higashikata in the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure fighting game series, including All-Star Battle (2013) and Eyes of Heaven (2015), where his energetic performance captured the protagonist's bold personality in intense combat scenarios.[32] Another key role was Taiga Kagami in the Kuroko's Basketball adaptation Est wa Ran to Utsu (2013, Nintendo 3DS), reprising his anime portrayal as the hot-blooded power forward in basketball simulation gameplay. In action-RPGs, he provided the voice for Lukas in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (2017, Nintendo 3DS), contributing to the tactical depth of the strategy battles.[32] Ono has been active in mobile gacha titles, voicing multiple characters in Granblue Fantasy (2014 onward, iOS/Android/browser), including the protagonist Gran and knight Lancelot, whose lines appear in ongoing events and story updates.[1] His recent mobile role includes Jiyan, the stoic general and playable Aero Resonator, in Wuthering Waves (2024, PC/iOS/Android/PlayStation 5), emphasizing commanding dialogue in open-world exploration and combat.[43] These gacha games highlight his versatility in long-term projects with frequent content additions. On console and PC, Ono's roles span action-RPGs and fighters up to recent releases. He reprised Gran and Lancelot in the fighting game Granblue Fantasy Versus (2020, PlayStation 4/PC) and the action-RPG Granblue Fantasy: Relink (2024, PlayStation 5/PC), where his voicing supports co-op boss fights and narrative-driven quests.[1] Earlier, he appeared as Wen Yang in the historical action game Dynasty Warriors 8 (2013, PlayStation 3/Xbox 360/PC) and in Dragon Quest Heroes II (2016, PlayStation 4/PS Vita/PC), adding to ensemble casts in large-scale battles.[1][32] No play-to-earn specific titles are confirmed in his credits as of 2025, though updates to existing games like Granblue Fantasy incorporate evolving mechanics. The following table lists select video game roles chronologically, focusing on significant contributions across platforms:| Year | Title | Role | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Summon Night 5 | Karis | Nintendo DS | Early supporting role in tactical RPG.[1] |
| 2013 | Dynasty Warriors 8 | Wen Yang | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC | Musou warrior in hack-and-slash battles.[1] |
| 2013 | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle | Josuke Higashikata | PlayStation 3, PS Vita | Protagonist in 3D arena fighter.[32] |
| 2013 | Kuroko's Basketball: Est wa Ran to Utsu | Taiga Kagami | Nintendo 3DS | Lead in basketball simulation. |
| 2014 | Granblue Fantasy | Gran, Lancelot | iOS, Android, Browser | Protagonist and recurring knight in gacha RPG (ongoing).[1] |
| 2015 | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven | Josuke Higashikata | PlayStation 3, PS4, PS Vita | Playable lead in tag-team fighter.[32] |
| 2015 | Touken Ranbu | Ookanehira | Browser, Mobile | Sword warrior in browser strategy game.[1] |
| 2016 | Dragon Quest Heroes II | (Supporting cast) | PlayStation 4, PS Vita, PC | Action-RPG ensemble.[32] |
| 2017 | Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | Lukas | Nintendo 3DS | Ally knight in tactical RPG.[32] |
| 2020 | Granblue Fantasy Versus | Gran, Lancelot | PlayStation 4, PC | Fighting game adaptation.[1] |
| 2022 | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R | Josuke Higashikata | PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Remastered fighter.[42] |
| 2024 | Granblue Fantasy: Relink | Gran, Lancelot | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC | Action-RPG co-op adventure.[1] |
| 2024 | Wuthering Waves | Jiyan | PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation 5 | 5-star Resonator in open-world action RPG. |