Yuichi Nakamura, the man, the myth, the voice that could melt steel beams (or at least hearts), has brought some of the most iconic anime characters to life.
Whether he’s voicing calm and collected geniuses or emotionally distant bad boys, Nakamura’s talent knows no bounds.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 characters that have made us all say, “Wait, that’s Nakamura too?!”
1. Tomoya Okazaki (Clannad)
Let’s take a moment to appreciate how Clannad didn’t just launch a thousand tears; it also gave Yuichi Nakamura the spotlight he deserved early in his career.
When he’s not busy being the ultimate brooding high school delinquent, Tomoya is busy trying to figure out why life is such a giant emotional rollercoaster.
Nakamura gave Tomoya the perfect mix of sarcasm and deep existential dread, reminding us all that life is hard, and sometimes, you just need to walk aimlessly around town with a girl who’s obsessed with imaginary bread.
2. Gray Fullbuster (Fairy Tail)
Ah, Gray Fullbuster, the one guy who made stripping down at any given moment look like the most normal thing in the world.
With a cold ice magic to match his cool demeanor, Gray showed us that not all heroes wear capes—sometimes, they don’t wear shirts either.
In Fairty Tail, Nakamura gave him just enough edge to make him the perfect contrast to Natsu’s fiery enthusiasm.
3. Alto Saotome (Macross Frontier)
Macross fans know that being an ace pilot in this series isn’t just about flying cool transforming jets—it’s about singing, space drama, and the delicate balance between love triangles and intergalactic warfare.
And in Macross Frontier, Yuichi Nakamura took on the role of Alto Saotome, a character who soared through the skies while navigating the even more turbulent world of idol singers and alien threats.
Alto is a classic Macross lead: a young ace pilot with a knack for flying and a hidden passion for the arts. He used to cross-dress for kabuki theater, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
He’s constantly torn between his dreams of soaring freely in the sky and his newfound responsibilities as a pilot in the middle of a galactic conflict.
4. Houtarou Oreki (Hyouka)
The king of energy conservation. If Houtarou could outsource his breathing, he probably would.
Nakamura’s deadpan delivery as Houtarou made it clear that this guy would rather nap than solve mysteries, but alas, curiosity (or was it Chitanda?) kept pulling him back in.
Watching Houtarou’s transformation from indifferent slacker to reluctant detective was a wild ride—one fueled by the sheer power of disinterest.
5. Tatsuya Shiba (The Irregular at Magic High School)
Tatsuya is like a Swiss Army knife of overpowered magic abilities, strategic brilliance, and an alarming lack of emotion.
Nakamura’s portrayal of this walking deus ex machina of The Irregular at Magic High School was so smooth that you almost forgot how ridiculous Tatsuya’s skill set was.
Need someone to defy the laws of magic? Call Tatsuya. Need someone to defeat entire armies without breaking a sweat? Call Tatsuya. Need someone to have complex feelings toward their sister? Yeah, maybe call someone else.
6. Shigure Sohma (Fruits Basket)
Shigure may seem like the goofy, laid-back dog of the Zodiac, but let’s be real—he’s playing 4D chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
Nakamura delivered Shigure’s sly humor and hidden cunning with such ease that you almost didn’t notice the chaos brewing behind that charming smile. And hey, being a dog means he’s good at burying bones…and secrets.
7. Guren Ichinose (Owari no Seraph)
With Guren, you get the classic “I have dark secrets and deep trauma, but I’m going to pretend I’m just your average military commander” vibe.
Nakamura’s deep, brooding voice made Guren the guy you wanted to trust, but knew you probably shouldn’t.
Sure, he’s a bit morally gray, but when the world’s overrun by vampires likes in Owari no Seraph, who has time for pure heroes anyway?
8. Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Move over, all other characters in anime history—Gojo’s here to teach you how to be overpowered and incredibly stylish while doing it.
Nakamura’s portrayal of Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen is a masterclass in balancing comedy with godlike strength.
Whether he’s cracking jokes, teaching his students, or casually warping reality, Gojo does it all with a laid-back charm that only Nakamura could deliver.
9. Bruno Bucciarati (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
If you haven’t experienced Bruno saying “Arrivederci” in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure as he sends enemies to their demise, you haven’t lived.
Nakamura gave us one of the most beloved and morally complex characters in JoJo’s history, a man who can zip you into pieces and still leave you thinking, “Man, this guy’s a stand-up dude.”
His loyalty, leadership, and love for his gang made Bruno a standout, and Nakamura’s voice was the perfect match for his honorable spirit. Just don’t ask him about those zippers.
10. Yuuichi Jin (World Trigger)
As if mastering martial arts and wielding futuristic weaponry weren’t enough, Jin’s ability to predict the future makes him the ultimate cool-headed strategist.
Nakamura’s calm, confident voice gave Jin in World Trigger an air of effortless cool, the kind of guy who could dodge your attack and politely apologize for doing it.
He’s basically the anime equivalent of “I knew you were going to say that.”
There you have it, the top anime characters voiced by the one and only Yuichi Nakamura.
Whether he’s playing stoic geniuses, misunderstood heroes, or guys with a penchant for partial nudity, Nakamura’s voice always brings something extra to the table.
Here’s hoping he keeps voicing characters that make us go, “Wait, that was Nakamura?!”
