15 Iconic Voice Actors Who Played Both Cute Mascots and Terrifying Mecha Pilots

Voice acting requires an incredible range of emotion and the ability to shift between completely different character archetypes. Many performers in the industry are typecast into specific roles but the most talented legends can play both adorable creatures and hardened soldiers. It is common for the same actor to voice a beloved childhood mascot in one show and a ruthless mecha pilot in another. This list highlights the performers who have mastered the art of the gap between cute and terrifying.

Megumi Hayashibara

Hayashibara is arguably the most famous female voice actress in history and provides the voice for the global icon Hello Kitty. This Sanrio character represents pure innocence and friendship with no dialogue other than cheerful greetings in various media. In stark contrast she voiced Rei Ayanami in ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ who pilots the Evangelion Unit-00. Rei is an emotionless and enigmatic figure who frequently engages in brutal combat against monstrous Angels. Hayashibara utilizes a cold and detached tone for Rei that differs completely from her high-pitched mascot work.

Kumiko Watanabe

Watanabe is best known for voicing the title character in ‘Sgt. Frog’ who is an inept alien invader resembling a cute frog. The character Keroro spends his time building plastic models and failing to conquer Earth in comedic fashion. However Watanabe also voiced Katejina Loos in ‘Mobile Suit Victory Gundam’ who transforms from a civilian into a ruthless enemy pilot. Katejina pilots the Gotarlatan mobile suit and becomes one of the most aggressive antagonists in the franchise. The transition from a bumbling comedic frog to a bloodthirsty soldier showcases Watanabe’s dramatic range.

Toshihiko Seki

Seki provides the voice for Momotaros in ‘Kamen Rider Den-O’ who serves as a comedic and hot-tempered red demon mascot for the hero. Momotaros is often utilized for slapstick humor and energetic catchphrases throughout the series. Conversely Seki voiced the primary antagonist Rau Le Creuset in ‘Mobile Suit Gundam SEED’. Le Creuset is a nihilistic commander and skilled mobile suit pilot who seeks to destroy humanity out of misanthropic hatred. The actor shifts from the boisterous energy of the mascot character to the smooth and menacing tone of the mecha villain.

Kazuhiko Inoue

Inoue voices the beloved character Nyanko-sensei in ‘Natsume’s Book of Friends’ who is a powerful spirit taking the form of a fat lucky cat. This mascot character is known for his comical love of alcohol and food while acting as a bodyguard. Inoue famously played Jerid Messa in ‘Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam’ decades prior to his role as the cat spirit. Jerid is an arrogant Titan pilot who develops a bitter rivalry with the protagonist Kamille Bidan. The role required Inoue to portray a serious soldier who slowly loses his comrades and sanity in war.

Tomokazu Seki

Seki voices the ghost butler Whisper in the popular children’s franchise ‘Yokai Watch’. Whisper is a white wisp-like mascot who provides comedic exposition and is frequently the butt of jokes. This role contrasts sharply with his performance as Domon Kasshu in ‘Mobile Fighter G Gundam’. Domon is a hot-blooded martial artist who pilots the God Gundam in a tournament to decide the fate of the universe. Seki utilizes his signature shouting style for Domon’s attacks which differs from the high-pitched neuroticism of Whisper.

Rie Kugimiya

Kugimiya is synonymous with the character Happy in ‘Fairy Tail’ who is a blue winged cat and the protagonist’s best friend. Happy is a cheerful mascot known for his catchphrase and unwavering loyalty to his guildmates. In ‘Mobile Suit Gundam 00’ Kugimiya voiced Nena Trinity who pilots the Gundam Throne Drei. Nena acts as a playful but psychotic pilot who indiscriminately attacks civilians and revels in destruction. The role subverts Kugimiya’s typical typecasting as cute tsundere characters or innocent mascots.

Takahiro Sakurai

Sakurai voiced the insectoid Digimon Tentomon in ‘Digimon Adventure’ who serves as the knowledgeable partner to Izzy. Tentomon speaks in a polite Kansai dialect and functions as the comedic relief and voice of reason for the group. In ‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’ Sakurai played Suzaku Kururugi who pilots the advanced Knightmare Frame Lancelot. Suzaku is a skilled soldier plagued by moral contradictions and a desire for martyrdom in battle. The performance demands a serious and often anguish-filled delivery that contrasts with the lighthearted digital monster.

Maaya Sakamoto

Sakamoto voices the small white creature Mokona in ‘Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle’ who serves as a mascot and dimensional transport for the main cast. Mokona is characterized by a high-pitched voice and perpetually cheerful demeanor. Sakamoto also voices Mari Illustrious Makinami in the ‘Rebuild of Evangelion’ film series. Mari is an enigmatic and aggressive pilot who sings while engaging in violent combat against Angels in her Evangelion unit. The actor balances the innocent nature of the Clamp mascot with the thrill-seeking intensity of the mecha pilot.

Jun Fukuyama

Fukuyama voices Panda in ‘Shirokuma Cafe’ who is a literal giant panda that works part-time and obsesses over bamboo products. The character is a lazy and self-centered mascot figure who relies on his cuteness to get by. Fukuyama is most famous for playing Lelouch Lamperouge in ‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’. Lelouch pilots the Gawain and Shinkiro Knightmare Frames while leading a rebellion against a global empire. The role requires a theatrical and commanding baritone that is completely unlike the slow and dopey voice used for Panda.

Hiroshi Kamiya

Kamiya voices Penguin in ‘Shirokuma Cafe’ who serves as the straight man to the other animal characters’ antics. Penguin is a small bird who often finds himself exasperated by the chaotic events in the cafe. In ‘Mobile Suit Gundam 00’ Kamiya voiced Tieria Erde who pilots the heavy assault unit Gundam Virtue. Tieria is a cold and fanatically loyal Innovade who initially views emotions as a weakness in his mission. The stoic and often harsh delivery of Tieria stands in opposition to the frantic comedic timing of Penguin.

Takehito Koyasu

Koyasu voices the legendary sword Excalibur in ‘Soul Eater’ who appears as a small and annoying creature in a white suit. Excalibur is a gag character whose nonsensical ramblings and demands frustrate anyone trying to wield him. Koyasu is legendary for voicing Zechs Merquise in ‘Mobile Suit Gundam Wing’. Zechs is a masked ace pilot who rivals the protagonist and pilots the Tallgeese and Gundam Epyon. The actor uses his signature deep and smooth voice for the charismatic villain which becomes a high-pitched nuisance for the mascot role.

Koichi Yamadera

Yamadera is known as the voice of Cheese the dog in the long-running children’s anime ‘Soreike! Anpanman’. Cheese is a loyal pet mascot who communicates primarily through barks and simple sounds. Yamadera also voiced the cybernetically enhanced pilot Gyunei Guss in ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack’. Gyunei pilots the Jagd Doga and aggressively challenges the legendary Amuro Ray to prove his superiority. The role demonstrates Yamadera’s ability to play arrogant young soldiers alongside his extensive resume of animal sounds.

Yuji Ueda

Ueda provides the voice for Wobbuffet in the ‘Pokemon’ anime series who is one of the most recognizable mascots in the franchise. The blue psychic Pokemon is known for popping out of its Pokeball uninvited and shouting its own name. Ueda also voiced Akito Tenkawa in ‘Martian Successor Nadesico’ who is a reluctant mecha pilot forced into war. Akito pilots the Aestivalis mech to protect the ship while dealing with significant trauma and loss. The actor captures both the comedic repetition of the Pokemon and the angsty desperation of the mecha protagonist.

Mamoru Miyano

Miyano voices the yellow creature Wooser in ‘Wooser’s Hand-to-Mouth Life’ who is a mascot character with a darker personality. Wooser looks cute on the outside but harbors greedy and lecherous thoughts that drive the show’s humor. Miyano’s breakout role was Setsuna F. Seiei in ‘Mobile Suit Gundam 00’ who is a child soldier turned Gundam Meister. Setsuna pilots the Gundam Exia and is initially a stoic character who struggles to understand human connection. The contrasting roles highlight Miyano’s skill in both surreal comedy and serious mecha drama.

Nobuyo Oyama

Oyama was the iconic voice of the robot cat Doraemon for over two decades and defined the mascot character for generations. Doraemon is a helpful robot from the future who aids a young boy with magical gadgets. Early in her career Oyama voiced the protagonist Jin Kappei in the super robot anime ‘Invincible Super Man Zambot 3’. Kappei is a young pilot who faces horrific casualties and moral gray areas in a war against aliens. The late actress is remembered for the warmth of Doraemon but also the grit required for one of anime’s bleakest mecha stories.

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