When One Naruto Voice Actor Replaces Another in One Piece
In an unexpected twist of fate, this One Piece character is voiced by two voice actors whose most famous roles are from a different member of Shonen Jump’s Big Three
As of the latest episode on July 13, 2025, Kazuhiko Inoue has officially taken over as the voice for Monkey D. Dragon, father of Monkey D. Luffy and leader of the Revolutionary Army, from Hidekatsu Shibata, who is currently 88 years of age.
Originally, he acted as the voice of a younger Dragon, who was first seen accompanying Dr. Vegapunk after the Ohara Incident in Episode 1097: “The Will of Ohara! The Inherited Research”
However, he would also voice a 53-year old Dragon in Episode 1135: “To the Sea Where My Father is! The Future Bonney Chooses” when he would visit Dawn Island where a 17-year old Luffy was seen training.
In fact, he has consistently voiced Dragon during the Kuma flashback, with Shibata’s final appearance being from September 22, 2024 during Episode 1120: “The World Is Shaken! The Ruler’s Judgment and the Five Elders’ Actions!”, where Dragon, Sabo and Ivankov talk about what Sabo saw in Pangaea Castle
Essentially, this means that Hidekatsu Shibata, given his advanced age, has likely retired from the role effective last year.
Kazuhiko Inoue has previously voiced Diamante, one of Donquixote Doflamingo’s four elite officers.
While primarily voicing Dragon, Shibata has also voiced Calgara, the great warrior of Shandora from 400 years ago during the Skypiea Arc.
What is more interesting is that both voice actors held prominent roles in another of the Shonen Jump’s so-called “Big Three”, Naruto.
Inoue is most famous internationally as the voice actor for Kakashi Hatake, the mentor of Naruto Uzumaki and Team 7.
Meanwhile, Shibata is also most famous as the voice actor for Hiruzen Sarutobi, better known as the Third Hokage.
Kakashi is also the Sixth Hokage, which means that a Hokage has succeeded another Hokage in playing the role of the father of One Piece’s protagonist, Luffy.
Source: Twitter
Kazuhiko Inoue has officially taken over as Dragon’s voice actor even for his adult version replacing Shiba, who is now 88 years old and most likely retired. pic.twitter.com/fW89ZAK5Jx
— Pew (@pewpiece) July 13, 2025
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