Franky's voice actor announces that he is stepping down from the role

This article contains spoilers from One Piece.

Important takeaways

• Kazuki Yao voiced Franky for about two decades, marking his departure from the role.
• Kazuki Yao has left behind a legacy as one of the most beloved voice actors in One Piece.
• Fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Franky's new voice actor at Jump Festa 2025.

The One Piece The anime has been on hiatus for quite some time and because of that, fans have somehow separated themselves from it. Although not much news about One Piece Anime has been leaking lately, earlier today fans were shocked when a large amount of information was finally revealed.

It was made clear to viewers that one of the Straw Hat Pirates voice actors would be leaving his role after years and years of work, and that a new voice actor was now needed to step in. This person is none other than Franky's voice actor, Kazuki Yao.

Franky's voice actor is stepping down from his role

• Kazuki Yao voiced Franky for about two decades
• Franky's voice actor steps down

The departure of Franky's voice actor shouldn't come as much of a surprise to fans, especially if they're aware of how long he's been a voice actor. He is a very famous actor and he has voiced many popular voices from many different anime. Of course, Franky from One Piece is his most popular voice, but Franky isn't even the only character he voices in the series. Kazuki Yao is also the voice of Bon Clay, and fans know that he has also voiced Django for the vast majority of the story. That said, his biggest role was quite easily Franky, and it's safe to say his voice as Franky was pretty weird. Franky's voice acting was perfect for his rowdy personality in the show, and that's what fans loved him for. It can be said that Kazuki did a phenomenal job as Franky, and there is no other individual that fans associate with him more than Kazuki Yao. However, the voice actor is quite old now. He is well into his 80s and his health has deteriorated quite rapidly. If fans compare his photos from a few years ago to now, it is clear that he is not in the best physical condition anymore.

The role of voice acting is too demanding for him, and all things considered, it should be easy for fans to understand why he drops out of his role as Franky and other characters. Alongside the famous straw hat Seiyuu, he has brought fans many huge moments and given them real depth, as well as an emotional feeling that cannot be replicated. That said, all good things must come to an end, and it's really very unfortunate that Kazuki Yao can't make it to the end with the other Straw Hat voice actors. That said, he leaves behind a legacy that is immovable. Here is Kazuki Yao's official message to fans:

The time has come for a sad farewell Farewell to the dude I've spent almost a quarter of a century with… It felt a bit like an out of body experience, but I feel like a rift has formed between me and Franky I imagine… and so, I've decided to leave Sunny for now. I feel frustrated! I feel sad!! I'm really sorry. But we have found a replacement for suuuperrrr! Look forward to the announcement on December 22nd at Jump Festa! – Kazuki Yao

The legacy left by Kazuki Yao

Kazuki Yao has been one of the most beloved one-piece voice actors

As the voice actor for Franky, Kazuki Yao has done a phenomenal job. Also served as a voice actor for some other characters in the One Pieceas Bon Clay even before taking on the role of Franky, it is the role of the cyborg shipbuilder for which he is best known. Franky was introduced to fans in the Water 7 Arc, where he took on the role of an antagonist at first. Had Franky remained an antagonist, this would have been Kazuki Yao's second role as a villain and One Piece. But in the end, Franky joined the Straw Hat Pirates and helped Luffy.

This made Kazuki Yao part of an extended family, and ever since then he has remained with the Straw Hat Pirates as a main character. Franky has had many highlights that Kazuki Yao has helped bring to life. First, throughout the Enies Lobby arc, Franky had several incredible moments, especially when he burned the blueprints to Pluto. His fight against Fukuro was also brought to life by Kazuki, and he got the chance to say some absolutely incredible words, like Franky telling Robin that it's never a crime to exist.

Existence is never a crime. – Franky

On top of all that, fans know that Franky, and through him, Kazuki Yao, were absolutely sensational in the subsequent arcs as well. The thriller Bark and Sabaody were huge for Franky, and after the jump he was better than ever before. In the Dressrosa Arc, fans got to see a heated battle between Franky and Senor Pink and this battle was once again brought to life by Kazuki Yao. Also, Franky's iconic quotes have been phenomenally voiced by him on countless occasions, and if all that wasn't enough, Wano gave fans enough Franky fight footage and, again, exciting moments here and there for the voice actor to bring to life. .

Indeed, Kazuki Yao's performance was absolutely amazing in this section of the story. Over the years he has done a phenomenal job that cannot be replicated by anyone else. The way he brought Franky to life, making him a perfect blend of a comical character who was often labeled as a pervert, and at the same time a cyborg who never stops dreaming and aiming higher, is truly impeccable.

On top of that, Franky's faith in Luffy has always been portrayed by Kazuki Yao to perfection, with Wano being the latest example, where he even reprimands Nami for showing a lack of faith in the captain, which is brilliantly translated into the anime form by Kazuki. Truly, fans will never forget his service over the years, and now it's time for him to rest and enjoy the rest of One Piece as a fan himself.

Who will replace Kazuki Yao as Franky's voice actor?

Currently, Kazuki Yao's replacement is unknown

It is unknown who will replace Kazuki Yao as Franky's voice actor. Fans have no idea who this person will be, but as revealed by Franky's voice actor, this information will be presented to fans during Jump Festa 2025, where One Piece will get its own stage. If fans had to guess, it could be the same person who recently voted Full Body, and that is Wataru Takagi. That said, this is purely speculation, and it remains to be seen who actually ends up taking this role.

Jump Festa 2025 is scheduled for December 21-22, 2025. One Piece Stage will likely be held on December 22. Fans can watch the live stream on YouTube.