The winners of the "14th Voice Actor Awards" were announced! Natsuki Hanae for Best Actor and Aoi Koga for Best Actress

The winners of the "14th Voice Actor Awards" were announced on March 7, 2020, in a special program on the Internet radio station "Cho!

The "Voice Actor Award" was established by the Japan Voice Producers Association, KADOKAWA, Bunka Hoso, Shogakukan, and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions in cooperation with various companies in the animation industry. It is the biggest event in the world of voice acting, where the most active voice actors of the year and veteran voice actors who have been active for many years gather together.

On February 27, the Seiyu Award Executive Committee announced the cancellation or postponement of the "14th Seiyu Award" award ceremony and the final screening of the new talent search audition, which was scheduled to be held on March 7, 2020 (Saturday), due to the increased risk of spreading the new type of coronavirus infection. The winners of the "14th Voice Actor Awards" were to be announced on March 7 on the Internet radio show "Cho!

⇒The "14th Seiyu Awards" scheduled to be held on March 7 has been canceled or postponed due to the new coronavirus.

The winners of the "14th Voice Actor Awards" announced on March 7 at "Bunka Hoso Cho!

The Best Actor Award went to Natsuki Hanae for her role as Tanjiro Kamado in "Demon Slayer," and the Best Actress Award went to Aoi Koga for her role as Kaguya Shinomiya in "Kaguya-sama ga Kesshirasai ~Tensai-tachi no Koi Toushin Senkaku Sen".

The Best Supporting Actor Award went to Ishi Ishii for his role as Machio Naruzo in "How Many Kilos Can You Hold a Dumbbell? and Shin Furukawa for his role as Goyo Shiragin in "Kaguya-sama ga Tsurenasai ~Kaguya-sama ga Kesshirasai ~ Tensai-tachi no Koen-ronetsu Senkou-Senkaku-Sen". The Best Supporting Actress Award went to Atsumi Tanezaki for her role as Arisa Uoya in "Fruits Basket.

Newcomer Actor Award winners were Gao Otsuka for his role as Ryusei Midorigaoka in "Dimension High School," Takehito Kajiwara for his role as Hizokoro Morira in "Flames of Fire", Torataro Daigo for his role as Hotaka Morishima in "Weather Boy", Katumi Fukuhara for her role as Yukiya Aragusuku in "W'z 《Wiz》, and Shogo Yano for his role as Mifuyu Sato in "Given.

The New Actress Award went to Maruka Asahina for her role as Asumi Kominami in "Bokutachi wa Gakkou ga Nai", Miho Okazaki for her role as Rimuru in "Tensei Toreta Slymu Datta Wakemono", Miyuri Shimabukuro for her role as Mitsuki Kohinata in "Granbellum", Sayumi Suzushiro for her role as Uruka Takemoto in "Bokutachi wa Gakkou ga Nai", and Saki Yuzuru for her role as Kosuke Kurokawa in "How many dumbbells How many kilos of dumbbells can you hold? Ai Fayrouz as Hibiki Sakura, and Nanana Mori as Hina Amano in "Weather Child.

Roselia won the singing award, Shotaro Morikubo won the personality award, Koichi Yamadera and Atsuko Tanaka won the foreign film/drama award, Kouichi Sakai won the game award, and the animation "Demon Slayer" won the synergy award.

In addition, Yutaka Mizushima, who played Toshio Otomo in " Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel" won the Takashi Toyama Award, Rika Fukami, who played Sailor Venus in " Sailor Moon" won the Kazue Takahashi Award, the entire cast of "Moomin Valley no Nakamatachi" won the Kids Family Award, Mamoru Miyano won the Influencer Award, Hiroshi Kamiya won the MVS Hiroshi Kamiya, Minoru Yada as Dr. Shikishima in "Tetsujin 28" and Makoto Kosaka as Ojiro in "Shin Obake no Q-taro," as well as the 40th anniversary of Pierrot and Hiroki Suzuki as the Special Award.

■List of Award Winners

Best Actor Award: Natsuki Hanae
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Aoi Koga
Best Supporting Actor Award: Kaito Ishikawa, Shin Furukawa
Best Supporting Actress Award: Atsumi Tanezaki
Best Newcomer Award: Takeo Otsuka, Takehito Kajiwara, Torataro Daigo, Katumi Fukuhara, Shogo Yano
Best New Actress Award: Maruka Asahina, Miho Okazaki, Miyuri Shimabukuro, Sayumi Suzushiro, Ai Fayruz, Nanana Mori
Singing Award: Roselia (Aina Aiba, Haruka Kudo, Yuki Nakajima, Meg Sakuragawa, Kabaon Shizaki)
Personality Award: Shotaro Morikubo
Foreign Film/Drama Award: Koichi Yamadera, Atsuko Tanaka
Game Award: Koudai Sakai
Synergy Award: Demon Slayer
Takashi Toyama Award: Yutaka Mizushima
Kazue Takahashi Award: Rika Fukami
Kids Family Award: The whole cast of The Moomin Valley
Influencer Award: Mamoru Miyano
MVS: Hiroshi Kamiya
Merit Award: Minoru Yada, Makoto Kosaka
Special Award: PIERO 40th Anniversary, Suzuki Hiroki

Special Achievement Award: In lieu of the Special Achievement Award, a voice actor who passed away this year will be honored

Comments also arrived from the award winners!

The following comments have also been received from the award winners (all in Japanese).

Natsuki Hanae (Best Actor Award)
Best Leading Actor Award: The voice actor (not the role, but his/her gender) who played the leading role in a work released during the eligible period (October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019).

I am delighted and grateful to receive this prestigious award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

I feel that I was able to receive this award because of the characters and works that I have encountered, the love of each and every person who created them and delivered them to you, and the accumulation of all of these factors. I am truly grateful to everyone who has helped me reach this point, to the fans who support my work, and to my family, my father and mother, who gently pushed me and supported me as I embarked on this journey into the world of voice acting.
It has been 10 years since I joined an agency as a voice actor.
I lost my parents who supported me before I started working as a voice actor in earnest, and there was a time when I felt a little frustrated because I could not tell them about my efforts as a voice actor. I am very happy to be surrounded by so many other people whom I can call family.
I love my job and enjoy every day of it. I will continue to pursue what only I can do and devote myself to being an actor who is not ashamed of this award.
Finally, I would like to express my greatest appreciation to my wife, who has always been my closest support and cheerleader.

Aoi Koga (Best Actress Award)
Best Leading Actress Award: voice actress (not the role, but your gender) who played the leading role in a work published during the eligible period (October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019).

First of all, I would like to thank all those who have been involved with me. When I heard the news that I won the Best Actress Award, I was like, "What! Was it me? I was so shocked and shocked that I could not believe it. It was such an incredible shock and honor for me. I believe that I received this award because of the work "Kaguya-sama ga Kesshirasai" and my performance as Kaguya Shinomiya. This work changed the world as I see it. I am happy to have met Kaguya and this production team.
I realized once again with this award that a work of art is not created by one person, but by the combined efforts of many people, including the production staff, cast members, and fans who support the work, and that the support of many people, including the people at my office, was essential before I even met this work. With this in mind, I will continue to be grateful for each and every encounter, and strive to live my life as a voice actor to the fullest so that I can live up to this award.

Kaito Ishikawa (Supporting Actor Award)
Supporting Actor Award: A voice actor (not the role, but his/her gender) who played a supporting role in a work released during the eligible period (October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019).

I am pleased to announce that I am the recipient of the Best Supporting Actor Award and I am Kaito Ishikawa of Pro Fit. I am very honored to receive this award despite my inexperience.
I would like to thank all of my fans who have always supported me, everyone who has helped me in various productions, everyone at my office, and everyone who has allowed me to be involved in this project. I will keep in mind the support I have received from so many people, and I will continue to make a sincere effort to become an actor whose plays will touch the hearts of those who see them.
Thank you very much.

Shin Furukawa (Supporting Actor Award)

I am Shin Furukawa, and I received the Best Supporting Actor Award. I never dreamed that I would receive an award at such a big ceremony as the Seiyu Awards, and I am truly grateful. Until today, I have voiced many characters in various productions. I believe that this is because of the many people who have connected me with the characters and the works.
I am still a work in progress, both as a person and as a performer. But I am truly grateful that you have connected with me, involved with me, and listened to me.
I will continue to devote myself to my work and do my best to repay you with my plays and expressions. Thank you very much.

Atsumi Tanezaki (Supporting Actress Award)
Supporting Actress Award: The voice actress (not the role, but the gender of the actress) who played a supporting role in a work released during the eligible period (October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019).

At the moment I received the award, it didn't really hit me, but what came to mind after some time was the faces of the people who believed in me and trusted me with the role when I had no job or anything else, and my family.
It may be a very uncertain job in a sense, with no right or wrong answers, but I am very grateful to receive something tangible like this in such a situation. I will never forget my gratitude to all the people who support me, all the people who have helped me, and all the characters I have met, and I will continue to fulfill my dream of "wanting to do a play with blood in it.
Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to appreciate "now" once again. I look forward to working with you again in the future.

Takeo Otsuka (Newcomer Actor Award)
Newcomer Actor Award: In principle, a voice actor who has made his or her debut as a voice actor within the past five years and has made a particularly outstanding performance during the eligible period (October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019) that is worthy of taking the "Newcomer Award".

I am very honored to receive this prestigious award. First and foremost, I want to say thank you to my family for allowing me to choose and pursue this path. I would also like to take a moment to rejoice in the fact that I have grown more than I was back then when I first jumped into this world. I am the person I am today only because I have been blessed with so many encounters. It is precisely because of these opportunities that I feel strongly that I must not forget to express my gratitude once again.
I will continue to work sincerely in everything I do and strive to express myself in a way that reaches everyone's heart.

Takehito Kajiwara (New Actor Award)

I am very happy to receive the award for Best Newcomer Actor. First of all, I would like to thank all the staff members who have supported me and all the fans who have cheered me on. I have been familiar with anime since I was a child, and I have always wanted to play a role that would be seen by many people, and that would remain in their hearts forever.
I would be happy if receiving such a prestigious award would lead more people to be interested in the works I perform. I will never be satisfied with the status quo, but will always search for new possibilities, and will continue to push forward with my acting with even greater enthusiasm.

Torataro Daigo (New Actor Award)

This is the first time for me to receive such an award, so I don't really feel it, but I am honestly very happy right now. Thank you very much.
Looking back on "Weather Child" as my first challenge as a voice actor, I think I was able to play the role of Houtaka Morishima while thinking about it and enjoying myself. Since I had the opportunity to study in such a wonderful place, I personally would like to try my hand at voice acting again if the opportunity arises again somewhere.
If I have the opportunity to voice-act in the next production of "Weather Child," I would love for everyone to see me do it again.

Fukuhara Katsumi (Newcomer Actor Award)

My name is Katsumi Fukuhara, and I am the recipient of the 14th Seiyu Award Newcomer Actor Award.
I am very honored to receive such a valuable award! Naturally, this is not an award that I received on my own!
It is because of the relationships and connections I have made with the office staff who support me on a daily basis, with people from all over the industry, with everyone who supports me, and with my parents who encouraged me to pursue my dream.... I could not have received this award without the support of everyone around me! I am grateful for all the support and encouragement I received from everyone around me, including my parents, who encouraged me to pursue my dream!
I know I am still a young and naive person, but I would like to ask for your continued support! Thank you very much!

Shogo Yano (Newcomer Actor Award)

I am very happy and honored to receive the Best Newcomer Award. When I heard about the award, I wondered if it was right for me, partly because I am not old enough to be called a newcomer, and I thought I had nothing to do with awards. To be honest, there were times when I thought about quitting acting. However, I have managed to continue to this point thanks to the productions and characters I have been involved with, the cast and crew who have supported me, the people at my office, and everyone who has supported me.
I am truly blessed to have met so many people. I believe that this award was not won by me alone, but by everyone who was involved. Always with a sense of gratitude, I will continue to devote myself to this award greedily so that I will not be ashamed of the Rookie of the Year award. I hope to receive your continued guidance and support.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to say to my family, who have always supported me through all times. Thank you. Thank you very much for your support.

■Maruyoshi Asahina (New Actress Award)
Newcomer Actress Award: In principle, a voice actress who has debuted as a voice actor within 5 years and has made a particularly outstanding performance during the eligible period (October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019) that is worthy of taking the "Newcomer Award".

Since my debut until today, I have been supported by so many people and works of art. I have received treasures from everyone on a daily basis that I could never have gained on my own, and I have even received a wonderful award, and I wonder if I should be so blessed.
But for now, I honestly want to rejoice with everyone who has supported me and the actors I have met that I have won the Best New Actress Award. I will continue to pursue my career as an actor so that I can continue to be a part of such wonderful productions that make someone's everyday life a little more enjoyable or have a life-changing impact, so that when I look back, I can say I lived for this. Thank you very much!

■Miho Okazaki (New Actress Award)

I am filled with joy to receive the prestigious award of Best New Actress. I would like to thank all the people who taught me about this world when I didn't know what was right and what was left. Thank you so much. I will never forget the feeling I had when I received the award and the first thing that came to mind was the characters that brought me here. Once again, I realized how irreplaceable these characters are to me.
In the time it takes to voice a character into the microphone, the more I face the character, the more I see various forms of correct answers, and sometimes I feel as if I am lost. I feel like I am getting lost at times. This award has given me the courage to speak straight from my stomach at such times, and that is a very, very big thing in my future life as a voice actor.
I will continue to devote myself to the creation of many more characters, and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Miyuri Shimabukuro (Newcomer Actress Award)

I never dreamed in my wildest dreams that I would receive the Best Newcomer Award, and I am still shaking with surprise and the weight of the award.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the characters and works that have brought me together, as well as to my seniors and the staff.
Thanks to all of you, I was able to receive such a wonderful award. Truly, thank you very much. I will do my best to cherish each encounter and keep in mind the spirit of gratitude so that I can face my work with love like my seniors. I am a novice who is always supported by others, but I would like to continue to grow step by step by worrying, struggling, and reflecting on things.

Sayumi Suzushiro (New Actress Award)

My name is Sayumi Suzushiro, and I have just received the Best New Actress Award. When I was a student at the training school, I watched the Seiyu Awards ceremony through a screen. I was deeply moved and at the same time, I thought, "I can't believe it is me! I am deeply moved and at the same time, my heart is filled with a sense of honor that I can't even begin to express. I would like to thank the many people who have supported me in my journey to this day. I am very grateful to all the people who have supported me in this endeavor. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who have supported me. Thank you very much! I love my job as a voice actor! I am still a novice, but in order to grow further as a voice actor and as a person, I will face my roles and myself with sincerity and without being satisfied with my current situation.
I will never forget my sense of gratitude and will devote myself even more to my work!

Ai Fairooz (Best New Actress Award)

I am very honored to receive such a prestigious award.
I would like to thank all my fans who have supported me and given me guidance and encouragement. I cannot thank my staff, my seniors, and my family and friends who have supported me spiritually. Thanks to all of you, I am the person I am today. I wish I could show the high school student I was when I first wanted to become a voice actor the person I am today. I was unsure of myself and almost broke down many times, but I am truly glad that I did not give up on my dream of becoming a voice actor. I would like to convey this message to those who are aiming to become voice actors and those who are working hard toward their dreams that if you do not give up on your dream and continue to work hard, it will become your asset and bear fruit in various forms. Once again, I would like to continue to strive to devote myself as an actor.

■Nana Mori (New Actress Award)

I was surprised and very happy to hear that I had won an award because "The Weather Child" was my first play in which I only used my voice. Looking back on last year, I think it was really the year of "Weather Child. I was moved by the work, and I felt like I was sharing that emotion with others, laughing and crying all the time about "The Weather Boy.
I am grateful to director Makoto Shinkai and everyone involved in "Weather Child," and at the same time, I can't help but look forward to the possibility of encountering another work like "Weather Child" that is so important to me. I will continue to do my best so that my voice can be heard by everyone again. Thank you very much.

Roselia Aina Aiba (Singing Award)
Singing Award: The voice actress who sang under her own name or the name of the role she is playing.

I am Aina Aiba, vocalist of Roselia, playing the role of Yukina Minato. I am very happy and honored that Roselia has received the wonderful award of the 14th "Seiyu Award" for Best Song.
We, Roselia, as a band appearing in the media mix project "Bandri! The cast members who actually play the characters perform live as the band that appears in the media mix project "Bandri!
We would like to thank all the Bandreamers (a.k.a. fans of "Bandli!") who have always supported us. fans) who always support us. Thank you so very much! I will continue to work even harder with the members to practice with the band, never forgetting my gratitude to you all, and deliver the sound that can only be played by "Bandolier! We will continue to work hard together with the band members to deliver the sound that can only be created by "Bandolier!

Shotaro Morikubo (Personality Award)
Personality Award: A voice actor who has been active as a personality on radio, web radio, TV or other programs under his/her own name or the name of the role he/she plays.

I don't think I would have met the profession of a radio talker if I had not met the profession of a voice actor. Both of these futures would be completely unbelievable if I told my teenage self. Therefore, I am delighted that I have been able to continue to work in both fields for more than 20 years, and that I have received such an award in the future, along with the "Kei Toyama Award" that I was awarded in 2015.
My first encounter with radio was when I was in my early 20s as an assistant to a senior staff member on my first program. I have been working for Radio Osaka for 16 years, and for bayfm since I made my debut in 2001 with a late-night live program, and next year I will have been doing a weekly live program for 20 years. Looking back, I wonder what I have been talking about for so long. I had no experience at all, but what I was able to learn from each show had a great impact on me as a voice actor and musician, and eventually on my daily life.
There is no end to the details, so I will spare you the details, but my encounters with radio have been as much an unexpected gift in my life as my encounters with voice actors.
Finally, in looking back on radio, one thing I will never forget is the day of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The massive earthquake occurred just before a regular live program. Although I once evacuated the building in accordance with the evacuation order, I was driven by my mission as a radioman and took the stairs back to the station on the 27th floor, where I was in charge of emergency broadcasting until the morning.
I will never forget every time I read the e-mails from the evacuees, I felt so much need for the radio, and I was able to realize that the radio was used to providing a little relief during those anxious nights.
It was an evening that reminded me of the "power of radio," a power that radio, with its unchanged analog method of communication, can have, even in these days of overflowing with so much media content.

Koichi Yamadera (Foreign Film and Drama Award)
Foreign Film and Drama Award: Voice actor who was active in foreign dubbing and foreign drama productions released during the eligible period (October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019).

Thank you very much! I am very honored to have been chosen.
I think dubbing is a very difficult job. It is easy to ruin a work by dubbing, but it is extremely difficult to convey the charm of the work and actors to the audience without losing any of their charm. That is why it is so rewarding! Some of our predecessors who have supported the Japanese dubbing culture have surpassed even the originals in their performances, making people say, "It's the dubbing that makes it interesting! Some of our predecessors who have supported the Japanese dubbing culture have performed in ways that surpass the originals and make us say, "It's the dubbing that makes it interesting!
I want to catch up with them and overtake them! I will do my best to hone my ability to express myself and contribute to the creation of works that will remain in people's hearts and minds.

Atsuko Tanaka (Foreign Film and Drama Award)

I am honored to receive this glorious award. I have dubbed for many Oscar-winning actresses, including Nicole Kidman, and it is my greatest pleasure to receive the Foreign Film and Drama Award. I have been a voice actor for 30 years, and when I look back on my long journey, it is filled with gems of work.
I have played each and every role I have been given, and I have never lied to myself. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the production staff who believed in me and cast me, to my co-stars who have worked together to create this work, to the viewers who have always supported me, and to the staff and family at my office who have continued to support me at all times.

■Hiroshi Sakai (Game Prize)
Game Award: Voice actors who have been active in games presented during the eligible period (October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019).

My name is Kodai Sakai and I am the voice of Sakiya Sakuma in the game "A3! Thank you very much for giving me this wonderful award, the "Game Award". First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone involved in the development, management, and publicity of the game. I would also like to thank all the directors (and players) who have always loved our work. Since "A3!" is a work based on theater, I often play other characters through my role in the play, and it is a very challenging and interesting work to play as a voice actor. I will do my best to make "A3!" known and loved by more and more people, so please continue to support me.

Demon Slayer (Synergy Award)
Synergy Award: A work that maximizes the appeal of the voice actors.
Comment from Mr. Yuma Takahashi, producer of "Demon Slayer", Aniplex Corporation

I feel that the anime "Demon Slayer" is a work created by two actors polishing each other's plays. They are an actor of movement and an actor of voice. The cast members received the visual plan developed by the staff, and they put forth their best efforts to create an attractive voice performance at the recording studio that exceeded the staff's imagination.
The staff members who received the plan made every effort to create an appealing movement play (video) that exceeded the viewer's imagination. The Japanese word for synergy is "synergy. Demon Slayer" is the result of the synergy of theatrical polishing, and it is an incomparable pleasure for me to receive this award. On behalf of everyone involved, I would like to express my deepest gratitude.

Yutaka Mizushima (Kei Toyama Award)
The Kei Toyama Award: The male voice actor who has been active in a variety of fields, including appearances in films.

I am truly thrilled to receive the "Takashi Toyama Award. Mr. Takashi Toyama is an important senior who was involved in a major turning point in my life as a voice actor. Forty-one years ago, my manager, who was very kind to me, asked me, "Yutaka, I have a recording session with Takashi Tomiyama. I visited him at the King Records studio and was introduced to the director. Whenever I saw her, she would always ask me, "How are you doing, Yu-chan? I still remember the kind smile of Takashi, who was always concerned about my well-being.

Rika Fukami (Kazue Takahashi Award)
Kazue Takahashi Award: Voice actress (female) who has been active in various fields, including appearances in productions.

I am truly honored and very moved to receive this award in the name of Kazue Takahashi, whom I greatly respect.
I had thought that my life was unrelated to awards, but I have been doing this for a long time anyway, and I feel that I have been recognized a little by everyone, which has given me the courage to continue in the future. I am grateful for the many people who have been a part of my life. I will continue to devote myself to my favorite job as a voice actor for as long as I can, as close to the front line as possible, and I would like to ask for your continued support.
Wishing for the continued development of the voice acting industry! Love heaven's punishment! I will drop you a handsome

All the Cast Members of the Moomin Valley (Kids Family Award)
Kids Family Award: Voice actors chosen from the viewpoint of children.
No comment

■Mamoru Miyano (Influencer Award)
Influencer Award: The voice actor who made the greatest impression on each social networking site during the eligible period (October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019).

Thank you very much for choosing us for the 14th Annual Voice Actor Awards and Influencer Award. We are grateful to all of our fans who support us and all of the people involved with us.
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have encountered and acted in many productions and characters, and it is because of your love for them that I am here today. Recently, I have been given the opportunity to perform in the Broadway musical "West Side Story," and I also have a big challenge awaiting me in my music career. I would like to cherish each and every encounter so that I can further connect these experiences to the future. I would like to ask for your continued support and encouragement. Thank you very much.

Hiroshi Kamiya (MVS)
MVS: stands for Most Valuable Seiyu, the most active voice actor as chosen by the fans.

I am surprised to hear that I have won this award two years in a row. I have heard that this award is decided solely by public voting, so first of all, I would like to thank those who cast their votes. Above all, I would like to express my gratitude to the people who have voted for me, and to the staff members who have cast me and supported me. I hope to continue to bring my voice to you all by believing in the staff of Aoni Productions and the power of entertainment, so that I will not be ashamed of those people.
Thank you very much for your support.

■Minoru Yada (Meritorious Service Award)
Merit Award: A voice actor who has contributed to many genres over the years, including foreign films.

Thank you very much for selecting me for the "Meritorious Service Award. I am very surprised and happy to receive this award, as I have been in the entertainment business for more than 80 years, starting as a singer of military children's songs in 1939, then as a child actor, actor, and director, and have been completely indifferent to "awards.
However, unlike the past winners, I have not had any significant accomplishments as a voice actor, so it is a bit embarrassing to me. I have been working as a voice actor since the early days of live broadcasting, but even before the boom in voice acting, I was active on stage, in movies, radio and TV dramas, and as a commentator on Japanese dramas, etc., with the motto of being a multi-talented person, so I feel sorry for my colleagues who specialize in voice acting. I have a painful feeling that I am not good enough for my colleagues who specialize in voice-over acting.
On the other hand, I have been working for the normalization of the voice-over industry in terms of rights, status, etc., and I wonder if you have recognized that. Or, did he also consider the fact that I have worked to discover new voice actors by accepting requests to produce casting for radio dramas (for Bunka Hoso and others) as an object of his award? I am guessing that he was also given the award for his efforts in discovering new voice actors. Although I am an old actor with only a few years left in my career, I would like to continue to support the young people who are working for the true normalization of the voice-over industry.

Makoto Kosaka (Distinguished Service Award)

My name is Makoto Kosaka. I am very happy to receive this unexpected honor. I am sorry that the award ceremony was canceled, but I am sure the characters I played are all thrilled. I consider it a blessing that I was able to be a part of such a wonderful voice actor award. Thank you very much. Bakeratta!

■Pierro 40th Anniversary (Special Award)
Special Award: A voice actor, work, activity, etc. that does not fit into any of the awards but has done something special that should be commended.
Mr. Michiyuki Homma, President of PIERO Corporation, and all employees comment

Thank you very much for the special award for Studio Pierrot's 40th anniversary. We are able to celebrate our 40th anniversary in this way thanks to all the voice actors who have worked with us in the development of the animation industry. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The characters in our works, including Yutaka Mizushima, who received the Kei Toyama Award today, shine brightly and continue to attract viewers and be loved by them. The influence of voice on animation is immeasurable. I hope that we can continue to create good works together with you.
I am sure that the coronavirus has caused a great deal of distress to those involved in the Seiyu Awards and to those in many other fields who have been forced to deal with the situation. This is a critical time in the entertainment industry. Let us all do our best to make next year's Seiyu Awards a great success and to deliver animation works to the world that everyone can enjoy.

Suzuki Hiroki (Special Award)

For me, "Dororo" is a very special work as I was involved in both the animation and the stage production. Every time I was at the recording site, I was repeatedly challenged with the difficulties and rewards of anime production, which was fulfilling. I was able to do so because of the enthusiastic support of all the production staff and cast members involved in this work.
I don't think I could have won this special award on my own. I would like to accept this award as proof that the thoughts of everyone who worked together to produce and deliver "DORORORO" to the current era have been received with great enthusiasm. We are proud of this experience and will continue to move forward every day. We will continue to devote ourselves to it. Above all, I would like to thank everyone who has watched "Dororo". Thank you very much.