The anime KAGURABACHI made a big impression at Anime Expo 2026, offering fans an exclusive 20‑minute preview of the series premiere and impressing them with the quality of the early footage. Although Chihiro Rokuhira, the protagonist, was not very talkative during that brief screening, he delivered several memorable and impactful lines that drew loud cheers from the audience. Japanese voice actor Taihi Kimura, who gave Chihiro his voice, excelled at portraying the character’s restrained strength and simple wishes in just a few minutes.
We got to sit down with Kimura‑san to discuss his approach and experience as Chihiro’s voice. He shared a fresh viewpoint and detailed what it takes to bring one of the 2027 anime’s standout protagonists to life.
Parts of this interview were trimmed for clarity. The interview was conducted with the help of an interpreter.
Q: When you first received the role, was there any advice or guidance you were given about how to construct Chihiro’s voice? Did any major part of the sound change?
Kimura-san: At the start of recording, I first tried a voice filled with grief, anger, and pain. However, that approach felt too intense for an 18‑year‑old, so I shifted to a more natural tone, staying true to myself.
Q: Did you approach Chihiro first as the son of a swordsmith rather than as a swordsman? How did Kunishige’s influence shape the way you thought about his voice and emotional rhythm?
Kimura-san: I actually did the opposite: I first imagined him as a swordsman before seeing him as a swordsmith’s son. This was my first encounter with Kunishige’s voice actor [Tomokazu Seki] in the studio, which felt both exciting and nerve‑racking. Being together allowed us to build a convincing father‑and‑son dynamic.
Q: Were you aware of the series before being cast as Chihiro? What were some of your first impressions of it?
Kimura-san: Yes, I was already familiar with the series. It’s a compelling revenge tale with a distinctive rhythm, making it a very fresh and intriguing read for me.
Q: Chihiro has a gloomy, edgy personality, but still has softer or more delicate moments to his character. How do you approach maintaining his usual personality while making room for different sides of him to shine?
Kimura-san: Even though Chihiro is dark and prickly, he also harbors a sensitive inner world and deep feelings, especially his desire to avenge his father. He isn’t perpetually gloomy. It’s crucial to remember this nuanced mindset when portraying him.
Q: Which relationship helped you understand Chihiro the most: his father, one of his allies, or one of his enemies?
Kimura-san: His relationship with his father is key to understanding him. Their shared past and earlier conversations are central to how I portray Chihiro.
Q: During especially intense scenes with lots of violence or action, how do you keep your voice acting dynamic and matching the intensity of the animation?
Kimura-san: Chihiro doesn’t over‑act in brutal moments; I keep my performance natural and react authentically to the scene, avoiding exaggerated vocalizing even during intense or violent sequences.
Q: Unlike a lot of other shonen characters, Chihiro does not seem to consider himself much of a hero. How does that kind of disposition affect the way you voice him?
Kimura-san: Because Chihiro rarely sees himself as a hero and seldom leans on others, he’s both introverted and complex, yet can quickly trust someone. This dual nature makes his character challenging, and I’m still exploring its depths.
Q: What do you think are the highlights of the series, or things that a reader or watcher should pay the most attention to?
Kimura-san: The series will shine through its high‑octane action sequences, and I hope viewers also appreciate the emotional fluctuations Chihiro experiences throughout.
Q: What’s something that you think the viewers of Anime Expo 2026’s screening might not catch yet about Chihiro?
Kimura-san: Audiences might overlook that Chihiro is simply an 18‑year‑old boy; I want them to remember his youthful essence after today’s preview.
Q: You heard the reactions of the fans during the premiere. What was it like experiencing the reaction to your work and what were some scenes that you maybe were surprised got as much of a reaction as they did?
Kimura-san: Seeing the fans’ enthusiasm was incredibly uplifting and motivating for me, and I’m very thankful. I was surprised by their enthusiastic “Woo!” shouts during the action scenes—they were fully engaged. Both Japanese and international fans are passionate and energetic, and it was a fantastic experience.
We appreciate Taihi Kimura for sharing his time about KAGURABACHI after its debut screening at Anime Expo 2026, which kicked off the first leg of the Kagurabachi Anime World Tour. More advance screenings of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 are listed on the official site, with select events featuring staff panels. KAGURABACHI is set to launch in April 2027 and will be available on Crunchyroll, MUSE, SMG HOLDINGS, and additional streaming platforms.
Official links to the anime official website and social media pages can be found below:
©Takeru Hokazono/SHUEISHA,Project Kagurabachi
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