Japanese voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi, famed for bringing the character Usopp to life in the globally beloved anime One Piece, has expressed deep admiration for India, equating its power and cultural vibrancy to the fantastical world of the anime. Speaking during his recent visit to India for Mumbai Comic Con 2025 alongside fellow One Piece voice star Hiroaki Hirata, Yamaguchi highlighted the strong bond between Japan and India, calling it a “precious” relationship to be cherished.
Yamaguchi, who has voiced Usopp for 25 years, shared that he initially worried about portraying the character but has since grown deeply connected to him, infusing Usopp with his own emotions and personality. He described Usopp as the character he now has the most creative freedom with, reflecting a journey of growth parallel to the anime’s long run since 1999. The series follows Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates as they seek the ultimate treasure in the Grand Line, captivating audiences worldwide.
The actor praised the enthusiasm of Indian fans, noting that One Piece brings smiles and fosters conversations across cultures, including in India, America, and Europe. “I thought India was a very powerful country, an exciting country, and I myself have grown to love this country,” Yamaguchi said. He emphasized that the support from Indian fans makes India “just as powerful as the world of One Piece.” Hiroaki Hirata, the voice behind Sanji, echoed this sentiment, expressing amazement at the passion of fans in India and abroad. Hirata also reflected on how One Piece changed his life, as he was relatively unknown before joining the cast. Both actors originally auditioned for different roles-Yamaguchi for Luffy and Hirata for Zoro-but found their iconic places as Usopp and Sanji respectively.
This visit marked a historic moment as it was the first time these legendary Japanese voice actors set foot in India, thrilling a large fanbase that has avidly followed the anime for decades. Their presence at Mumbai Comic Con included live dubbing performances and sharing behind-the-scenes insights, further strengthening the cultural bridge between Japan and India through the universal language of anime.