BREAKING!! The first round of winners for this year’s Seiyuu Awards have been announced!
In this first wave of winners announced, the awards focus on the most experienced members of the community, and include winners for the Achievement Awards.
特別功労賞 Special Achievement Award
- Awarded posthumously, this award celebrates their multiple contributions over their long career to multiple genres, including foreign film.
Utsumi Kenji (right), with Nomura Michiko at 2009 Seiyu Awards, from kenproduction
内海 賢二 Utsumi Kenji (Ken Production)
Founder of one of the most prominent seiyuu agencies, Ken Production. He is well-known for a wide range of villain roles. Best known as the voice for Alex Louis Armstrong (Fullmetal Alchemist), Norimaki Senbei (Dr. Slump), and Raou (Fist of the North Star). The official dub-over for Steve McQueen, Carl Weathers, etc, and Gimli (John Rhys Davies) in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Previously won the Achievement Award in 2009.
Kinomiya Ryouko, from haikyo.co.jp
来宮 良子 Kinomiya Ryouko (Haikyo)
Best-known for her low voice, most notably as a narrator for a number of dramas, including Enka no Hamamichi (演歌の花道), Hell Teacher Nube (地獄先生ぬ～べ～), as well as roles in Galazy Express 999 and Speed Racer. Previously won the Achievement Award in 2008.
Previous winner: 青野 武 Aono Takeshi (Aoni Production)
功労賞 Achievement Award
- For contributions to multiple genres over many years, including foreign films
Keaton Yamada, from re-max web
キートン山田 Keaton Yamada (Re-max) (also Yamada Junji)
Best known for Katou Saburo (宇宙戦艦ヤマトSpace Battleship Yamato), 004 (Cyborg 009 -1979), and narrating for Master Keaton.
Naya Rokuro, from seiyuawards.jp
納谷 六朗 Naya Rokorou (Mausu Production)
Specialises in “gentle fatherly” and “cool logical” types. Well known roles include Sensui Shinobo (YuYu Hakusho), Aquarius Camus (Saint Seiya – 1986), Grumman (Fullmetal Alchemist). Also the official dub-over for William H. Macy, Ed Harris and Gary Oldman.
Previous winner: 近石真介 Chikaishi Shinsuke (Mouvement), 野沢雅子 Nozawa Masako (Aoni Production)
シナジー賞 Synergy Award
- For showcasing the best teamwork as a voice cast
ガールズ&パンツァー, from Media Factory
ガールズ＆パンツァー Girls und Panzer
Represented by 渕上 舞 Fuchigami Mai (INCS toenter)
An original anime series about high school girls participating in competitive “tankery” , a modified battle-strategy sport where teams operate and have ‘mock’ battles in modified World War II tanks and warships.
Previous winner: タツノコプロ創立50周年 Tatsunoko Production 50th Anniversary cast
大平 透 Oohira Tooru (Ohira Production), 森 功至 Mori Katsuji (Office Mori), 岡本 茉利 Okamoto Mari (freelance), 小原 乃梨子 Ohara Noriko (Production Baobab)
富山敬賞 Tomiyama Kei Award
- For contributions to promoting the profession through various media channels (Male)
Miki Shinichiro, from Animedia.net
三木 眞一郎 Miki Shinichiro (81 Produce)
One of the most prolific seiyuus of his generation, he has brought many iconic characters to life, including Fujiwara Takumi (Initial D), Urahara Kisuke (Bleach), Lockon Stratos (Mobile Suit Gundam 00), and Roy Mustang (Fullmetal Alchemist). Part of one of the very first singing seiyuu units, Weiss (from Weiss Kreuz) with Koyasu Takehito, Seki Tomokazu and Yuuki Hiro. Previously won Best Supporting Actor in 2010.
Previous Winner: 三ツ矢 雄二 Mitsuya Yuuji (Combination)
高橋和枝賞 Takahashi Kazue Award
- For contributions to promoting the profession through various media channels (Female)
Mitsuishi Kotono, from Asahi News
三石 琴乃 Mitsuishi Kotono (Lasley Arrow)
A prolific seiyuu with many iconic characters to her name, including Tsukino Usagi (Sailor Moon), Katsuragi Misato (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Murrue Ramius (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series), and Gracia Hughes (Fullmetal Alchemist).
Previous winner: 緒方 恵美 Ogata Megumi (freelance)
Congratulations to all the winners!
We will continue to bring you the latest news for the 2014 Seiyuu Awards, for which the award presentation ceremony will be held on 1 March 2014. Leading up to the big day, we will also be bringing you a series of articles featuring last year’s winners. So stay tuned for more seiyuu love, and to see if your favourites have won this year!
The post [SEIYUU] Seiyuu Awards 2014: First Wave of Winners Announced! appeared first on AFA Channel!.