One Piece’s Most Legendary Voice Changes For the Third Time

On December 15, 2025, it was announced that the voice of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, has been changed for the third time.

Formerly voiced by Masane Tsukayama, Roger will now be voiced by Shunsuke Sakuya as of One Piece Episode 1153: “The Upheaval of an Era! The Color of the Supreme King That Leads Luffy” released on December 14, 2025.

This is due to age-related concerns as Tsukayama is currently 81 years old and has been voicing Roger since August 12, 2018, starting with Episode 849: “Before the Dawn – Pedro, the Captain of the Guardians” in the Whole Cake Island Arc.

His replacement, Sakuya, is currently 60 years old and has previously voiced one of the Cool Yeti Brothers named Scotch and Charlotte Daifuku, one of Katakuri’s triplet brothers.

Originally, Roger was voiced by the late Chikao Otsuka, the father of Akio Otsuka, who voices Marshall D. Teach and had passed away on January 15, 2015, finishing his time as Roger at Episode 589: “Worst of the World – The Scary Scientist Caesar” (released on March 31, 2013), which is the last episode that featured the prologue of Roger’s One Piece speech at the very start of the series.

Otsuka had been Roger’s primary voice actor for 14 years while Tsukayama maintained the role for half the time at 7 years.

This is part of an ongoing trend as the anime enters 26 years of existence and many actors have expressed worries about their future staying in the series.

Previously, Monkey D. Dragon and Franky’s voice actors have stepped down from their roles.

Some have also shown concerns about Shanks’ voice actor since he has officially retired from another of his iconic roles, Char Aznable of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise.

Source: Twitter

BREAKING 🚨

Roger’s voice actor has been changed for the third time and will now be played by Shunsuke Sakuya. pic.twitter.com/P9650CuXXC

— Pew (@pewpiece) December 14, 2025

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