Masakazu Morita

Masakazu Morita
{{Infobox person
| name = Masakazu Morita
| image =
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| native_name = 森田 成一
| native_name_lang = ja
| birth_name =
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| birth_place = Sumida, Tokyo, Japan
| death_date =
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| occupation =
| years_active = 1995–present
| notable_works = {{Plainlist|
Bleach as Ichigo Kurosaki and Hollow Ichigo
Final Fantasy X as TidusSengoku Basara as Maeda KeijiOne Piece as Marco The PhoenixKingdom as Li XinDragon Ball Super as Whis
}}
}}
is a Japanese actor, voice actor and singer. He previously worked for Aoni Production. He is also the host of the radio show Bleach B-Station. He played Ichigo Kurosaki in Bleach, Maeda Keiji in Sengoku Basara, Marco the Phoenix in One Piece, Tidus in Final Fantasy X, Whis in Dragon Ball Super, Auel Neider in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny, Pegasus Seiya in Saint Seiya – Hades Chapter, Pod in Pokémon, Tenjuro Banno in Kamen Rider Drive and Li Xin in Kingdom. He won the "Best Rookie Actor" at the first Seiyu Awards. He is also the official Japanese dubbing voice of Zac Efron.
Career
Morita attended Kyoka Junior and Senior High School. When he was in high school, he joined the brass band club and was in charge of conducting the marching band, which led him to discover the joy of entertainment. He worked as an actor at NHK Promotion, studied under film director Yukio Fukamachi, and appeared in films, stage plays, and dramas. His motion capture for the role of Zell Dincht in the 1999 PlayStation game Final Fantasy VIII was his debut as an actor.
In 2001, he voiced and motion captured for the main character, Tidus, in the PS2 game Final Fantasy X, and since then he has mainly been active as a voice actor. While originally only in charge of motion capturing for Tidus, after more than 100 people auditioned and no voice actor was chosen, Morita was finally called in for an audition and was hired. When he was chosen to play the role, he thought he could handle it because he only had to do a voice, but in reality, he was shocked when he heard his own voice on the recording and his motionless performance. When he met Hideo Ishikawa, Kazuya Nakai, and Hiroshi Kamiya, his co-stars in the game, he came to respect the fun of voice acting and their attitude toward their work, and decided that he wanted to work in the same industry as them and join the same agency. On September 1, 2003, after working as a freelancer, he moved to Aoni Production, his first voice acting agency.
In October 2004, Morita portrayed the main character Ichigo Kurosaki in the TV anime Bleach. Morita said that Ichigo was one of his favorite characters he ever played alongside Tidus, and in 2005 he was chosen to replace Tōru Furuya as the voice of the main character Pegasus Seiya in Saint Seiya: Hades. Morita was said to have shed tears of joy when he was chosen at the audition. He also voiced Ryūji Takane, the main character in Ring ni Kakero 1, and was thus selected twice to play the lead in works written by Masami Kurumada.
In 2007, he won the Best Rookie Actor award at the 1st Seiyu Awards. In 2008, he returned to the stage as a guest performer in a performance by the K-Show theater company organized by Kentarō Itō, and in October 2009, he played his first leading role and first performance as a chairman.
In 2012, Morita made his debut as a singer with RING BONES. In 2013, he confessed on his Twitter page that he was in a critical situation at one point, wavering between life and death due to anaphylactic shock. He said he had "almost died three times" due to anaphylactic shock, myocardial infarction and side effects. He was in a very dangerous state, but thanks to the efforts of doctors, he recovered.
On December 31, 2020, he announced on Twitter that he would be leaving Aoni Production, the company to which he had belonged for 17 years, and would be working as a freelancer from January 1, 2021.
Filmography
Television animationThe Prince of Tennis (2001–2005), TashiroSonic X (2003), Chris Thorndyke (Adult)Interlude (2003), Unnamed protagonistDi Gi Charat Nyo (2003), Omocha YasushiOne Piece (2003, 2009–2010, 2019), MarcoAqua Kids (2004), JunoDiamond Daydreams (2004), YuuBECK (2004–2005), Masaru HyōdōKidou Senshi Gundam SEED Destiny (2004–2005), Auel NeiderOnmyō Taisenki (2004–2005), Yakumo YoshikawaRing ni Kakero (2004–2011), Ryuji TakaneBleach (2004–2012), Ichigo Kurosaki, Hollow IchigoMajor (2004), Toshiya SatoDetective Conan (2005, 2007, 2020), Ryosuke Fukuma (Ep. 419–420), Naosuke Kurosawa (Ep. 478), Fusaya Oide (Ep. 990-991)Kiniro no Corda (2006), Hihara KazukiMarginal Prince (2006), Alfred ViscontiBaccano! (2007), Claire StanfieldSengoku Basara: Samurai Kings (2009), Maeda KeijiEden of the East (2009), Ryō YūkiBakuman (2010–2011), Kazuya HiramaruSengoku Basara: Samurai Kings 2 (2010), Maeda KeijiSD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors (2010–2011), Ryomou DijehPocket Monsters: Best Wishes! (2010–2011), ChiliTiger & Bunny (2011–2022), Barnaby Brooks Jr.Bakuman 2 (2011–2012), Kazuya HiramaruSaint Seiya Omega (2012), Sagittarius Seiya (Ep. 90)Bakuman 3 (2012–2013), Kazuya HiramaruKingdom (2012–2022), ShinHakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East (2013), Hazuki Ace of Diamond (2013–2015), Koichiro TanbaYona of the Dawn (2014), KijaSengoku Basara: End of Judgement (2014), Maeda KeijiWorld Trigger (2014), Shūji MiwaRage of Bahamut: Genesis (2014), AzazelKiniro no Corda Blue Sky (2014), Shiro Hozumi, Kazuki HiharaDeath Parade (2015), Yōsuke TateishiThe Heroic Legend of Arslan (2015), XandesKuroko's Basketball Season 3 (2015), Shōgo HaizakiBaby Steps Season 2 (2015), Sakuya TakagiDragon Ball Super (2015), Whis, Copy Vegeta, Iru Fafner in the Azure: Exodus (2015), Billy MorganK: Return of Kings (2015), Yukari MishakujiBig Order (2016), Eiji HoshimiyaRewrite (2016–2017), Kotarō TennōjiTiger Mask W (2016), Kazuchika OkadaRage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul (2017), AzazelMajor 2nd (2018), Toshiya SatōBlack Clover (2019), Raia (Ep. 87)Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya (2019), Pegasus SeiyaShaman King (2021), MosukeKaginado (2021), Kotarō TennōjiLove of Kill (2022), NikkaBleach: Thousand Year Blood War (2022–present), Ichigo KurosakiDelico's Nursery (2024), Dali Delico
Original video animation (OVA)Saint Seiya: Hades Chapter (2002–2008;OVA), Pegasus SeiyaBludgeoning Angel Dokuro-Chan (2005), YamazakiDragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! (2008), TarbleKite Liberator (2008), Rin GagaBungo Stray Dogs: Walk Alone (2017), Shōsaku Katsura
FilmBleach: Memories of Nobody (2006), Ichigo KurosakiBleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion (2007), Ichigo KurosakiBleach: Fade to Black (2008), Ichigo KurosakiEden of the East: The King of Eden (2009), Ryō YūkiEden of the East: Paradise Lost (2010), Ryō YūkiBleach: Hell Verse (2010), Ichigo KurosakiSengoku Basara: The Last Party (2011), Maeda KeijiTiger & Bunny: The Beginning (2012), Barnaby Brooks Jr.Combustible (2013), MatsukichiDragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013), WhisK: Missing Kings (2014), Yukari MishakujiTiger & Bunny: The Rising (2014), Barnaby Brooks Jr.Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015), WhisDragon Ball Super: Broly (2018), WhisDragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022), WhisGekijōban Collar × Malice Deep Cover (2023), Aiji Yanagi
Live actionZyuden Sentai Kyoryuger (Debo Tanabanta) (Ep. 20)Kamen Rider Drive Dr.Tenjuro Banno/Banno Driver/Gold Drive (Ep. 33 – 46), Sigma Circular (Male Voice) (Ep. 46 – 47) (Female Voice of Ayumi Fujimura)
Video gamesFinal Fantasy X (2001; video game), TidusKingdom Hearts (2002; video game), TidusFinal Fantasy X-2 (2003; video game), Tidus, ShuyinSummon Night: Swordcraft Story 2 (2004), (Loki)Sengoku Basara (2005), Maeda KeijiRiviera: The Promised Land (2005; video game), LedahBleach: Heat the Soul (series) (2005–2010; video game series), Ichigo KurosakiSengoku Basara 2 (2006; video game), Maeda KeijiPuyo Puyo! 15th Anniversary (2006, video game), Schezo WegeyDissidia Final Fantasy (2008, video game), TidusSignal (2009), (Yamato "None" Hoshoin)Puyo Puyo 7 (2009, video game), Schezo WegeyDissidia 012 Final Fantasy (2011, video game), TidusPuyo Puyo!! 20th Anniversary (2011, video game) (Schezo Wegey)
Sweet Fuse: At Your Side (2012, video game) (Meoshi Kouta)One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 (2013, video game), MarcoPuyo Puyo Tetris (2014, video game), Schezo WegeyFinal Fantasy Explorers (2014, video game), TidusGranblue Fantasy (2014, video game), Meteon, AzazelDissidia Final Fantasy NT (2015, video game), TidusCollar × Malice (2016; visual novel video game), Aiji YanagiWorld of Final Fantasy (2016; video game), TidusJump Force (2019; video game), Ichigo Kurosaki, Pegasus SeiyaArena of Valor (2018; video game), Arthur (Japanese Voice), (2021; Collab AOV x Bleach Event), Ichigo Kurosaki (skin)Genshin Impact (2021; video game), Thoma
Unknown dateBleach series (Ichigo Kurosaki)Bakumetsu Renka Shinsengumi (Kondo Hasami)Datenshi no Amai Yuuwaku x Kaikan Phrase (Yoshihiko "Santa" Nagai)Dragon Ball Heroes (Avatar: Saiyan (male), Berserker-type; Whis)Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 (Tarble)Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi as Hero Modes 'Evil Voice'Dynasty Warriors 5 (Pang De)Final Fantasy VIII (Zell) as the Motion CaptureJ-Stars Victory Vs (Ichigo Kurosaki, Pegasus Seiya)Kiniro no Corda series (Hihara Kazuki)Rewrite (Kotarou Tennouji)Riveria: The Promised Land (Ledah)Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers (Pegasus Seiya)Saint Seiya Senki (Pegasus Seiya)Sengoku Basara 2 (Maeda Keiji)
Shiratsuyu no Kai (Nakamachi Shin)The Legend of Heroes: Trails at Sunrise (Lechter Arundel)The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (Lechter Arundel)The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd (Lechter Arundel)The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel (Lechter Arundel)The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II (Lechter Arundel)The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III (Lechter Arundel)The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV (Lechter Arundel)Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side: 2nd Kiss (Saeki Teru)Transformers Armada The Game (Hot Shot)Yo-Jin-Bo: The Bodyguards (Yozaburo Shiraanui)
Drama CDLupin III (2012) (Arsene Lupin)Special A (Tadashi Karino)Superior (Lakshri)
Di[e]ce (Naoto Kanzaki)
Dubbing
Zac EfronThe Derby Stallion (Patrick McCardle)High School Musical (Troy Bolton)High School Musical 2 (Troy Bolton)High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Troy Bolton)17 Again (Mike O'Donnell (teenage))Charlie St. Cloud (Charlie St. Cloud)The Paperboy (Jack Jansen)That Awkward Moment (Jason)Neighbors (Teddy Sanders)We Are Your Friends (Cole Carter)Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (Teddy Sanders)Dirty Grandpa (Jason Kelly)Baywatch (Matt Brody)Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (Ted Bundy)Firestarter (Andy McGee)The Greatest Beer Run Ever (John "Chickie" Donohue)The Edge of Seventeen (Nick Mossman (Alexander Calvert))El Camino Christmas (Eric Roth (Luke Grimes))The Green Hornet (Kato (Jay Chou))In Time (Timekeeper Jaeger (Collins Pennie))Mindhunter (Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff))Now You See Me 2 (Li (Jay Chou))Outlander (King Louis XV of France (Lionel Lingelser))Prometheus (Chance (Emun Elliott))The Time Traveler's Wife'' (Henry DeTamble (Theo James))
Discography
Albums
References
External links
1972 births
Living people
Japanese male pop singers
Japanese male stage actors
Japanese male video game actors
Japanese male voice actors
Male voice actors from Tokyo
People from Sumida
Singers from Tokyo
Sony Music Entertainment Japan artists
20th-century Japanese male actors
21st-century Japanese male actors
21st-century Japanese singers
21st-century Japanese male singers