If you’re a One Piece fan, you’re probably buzzing with excitement right now! The legendary voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda has just been cast as Figarland Shamrock (yes, Shanks’ mysterious twin brother) in the upcoming Elbaph arc. The announcement dropped via a promotional video for Volume 113 of the manga, and honestly, the casting couldn’t be more perfect.
With Tsuda’s track record of voicing intense, commanding characters like Nanami from Jujutsu Kaisen and Overhaul from My Hero Academia, Shamrock is in seriously good hands. For those who might not recognize the name immediately, Tsuda is one of Japan’s most celebrated voice actors with over 322 roles spanning three decades.
His deep, distinctive voice has become synonymous with complex, morally gray characters that fans love to analyze. Let’s dive into who this voice acting titan really is!
Kenjiro Tsuda’s Age and Early Life
Born on June 11, 1971, in Osaka, Japan, Kenjiro Tsuda is currently 54 years old. His childhood was pretty unique. He actually lived in Jakarta until he was seven before moving back to Japan. Tsuda studied theater at Meiji University, originally dreaming of becoming a film director. But life had other plans!
After graduating from a trading school, he jumped into the theater world through auditions. Here’s the thing, though: his twenties were brutally tough. We’re talking poverty-level struggles where he’d literally hesitate to buy bread and read scripts by candlelight (via Oricon).
It sounds like something out of a movie, right? But that hardship became the foundation for his incredible journey ahead. That struggle made him hungrier for success, and boy, did he achieve it!
Kenjiro Tsuda’s Career Journey
Tsuda’s breakthrough came in 1995, when he landed his first voice acting role in the anime H2 —a gig that literally lifted him out of poverty. At 25, he received that game-changing audition invitation, and by 29, he scored the role that would define his early career: Seto Kaiba in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters.
Fast forward to today, and he’s voiced over 322 characters across anime, games, and more. His signature deep, menacing tone has made him the go-to guy for antagonistic roles. Think Kishibe from Chainsaw Man, Dainsleif from Genshin Impact, and that fan-favorite Nanami from JJK.
But Tsuda isn’t just a voice actor; he’s expanded into live-action TV with hits like Ōoku: The Inner Chambers and even made his directorial debut in 2019 with Documentertainment: AD-LIVE. In 2021, he won Best Actor at the 15th Annual Seiyu Awards. Not too shabby for someone who once read scripts by candlelight!
Kenjiro Tsuda’s One Piece Connection
Here’s a fun fact: this isn’t Tsuda’s One Piece debut! He previously voiced Vinsmoke Yonji (Sanji’s brother) and Gordon in One Piece Film: Red. But playing Shamrock? That’s next-level. Shamrock isn’t just any character; he’s the twin brother of Shanks and the leader of the Holy Knights, positioned as a major antagonist in the Elbaph arc.
What makes Tsuda perfect for this role is his ability to balance stoic authority with chilling menace. Shamrock looks exactly like the beloved Shanks but operates on completely opposite moral grounds. Tsuda’s vocal range can capture that duality brilliantly.
The Elbaph arc promises massive revelations about Shanks, the Celestial Dragons, and the World Government, with Shamrock right at the center. With the arc dropping in April 2026, fans are already counting down the days to hear Tsuda bring this enigmatic character to life!
Kenjiro Tsuda Relationship Status
Now let’s talk about his personal life. Tsuda is married to a woman he met during his stage acting days. She’s not a celebrity, and they have two children together. For years, he kept his marriage under wraps, mainly to protect his family.
Apparently, early in their marriage, they received actual threats to their safety, which understandably made him cautious about going public. He also admired actors who kept their private lives private and wanted to follow that path. The secret came out in July 2020 when a weekly magazine published a story about his marriage, forcing him to address it himself on Instagram.
In his announcement, he apologized for the way people had to find out and expressed frustration about the tabloid intrusion. Despite his celebrity status, Tsuda has successfully protected his family from excessive media attention, only sharing details when absolutely necessary. It’s clear he values his family’s privacy above public curiosity.
These films showcase Tsuda’s versatility across different genres, from historical dramas to supernatural action, proving he’s not just limited to villain roles despite his signature intense delivery.
With Kenjiro Tsuda confirmed as Figarland Shamrock’s voice, the stakes for the One Piece Elbaph arc just got infinitely higher. His three-decade career, incredible vocal presence, and perfect fit for morally complex characters mean we’re in for an unforgettable performance when the arc premieres in April 2026!
What do you think about Kenjiro Tsuda voicing Shamrock? Are you excited to see how he’ll differentiate Shamrock from Shanks? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! And don’t forget, you can catch One Piece streaming on Crunchyroll, with the Elbaph arc set to premiere in April 2026. Make sure you’re caught up on the Egghead arc before then!
