Veteran voice actress Mayumi Tanaka has been the iconic voice of Monkey D. Luffy for over two decades, bringing the beloved character to life in Eiichiro Oda’s long-running series One Piece. At the age of 64, Tanaka found herself reflecting on the future of the character, especially as the series shows no signs of nearing its conclusion.
During a Japanese talk show, Tanaka lightheartedly admitted that she may not be around to see the series through to the end. As for the question of who could possibly replace her as Luffy’s voice, a renowned name was hilariously brought up —- that is Masako Nozawa, the voice behind Son Goku from Dragon Ball.
Mayumi Tanaka’s Legacy in One Piece
Mayumi Tanaka’s portrayal of Monkey D. Luffy has become inseparable from the character himself. Her youthful, energetic voice perfectly captures the spirit of the Straw Hat captain, whose journey has captivated audiences since One Piece first aired in 1999.
As One Piece continues to evolve, so too do the questions regarding the future of its iconic characters and their voices. As the series is continuing for a long time, Tanaka is speculative on whether she would be able to play Luffy for a long time or not. In 2019, she reflected on her journey throughout the legendary series in a Japanese talk show, “Bokura No Jidai”. In her own words,
I might not even be alive by the time it ends. When the time comes, I hope that One Piece fans can accept the person I choose as my successor.
While lighthearted, this statement shows how much Tanaka cares for the character and recognizes Luffy’s voice as one of the key components for the series’ success along with Eiichiro Oda‘s masterful storytelling.
The Suitable Successor for Mayumi Tanaka According to her son
The conversation for Mayumi Tanaka’s potential successor came about when her son, who was also a guest on the show, brought up a suggestion about who could possibly replace his mother in the role of Luffy. And his answer was Masako Nozawa, the legendary voice actress best known for her voice acting of Son Goku of Dragon Ball. However, the idea was quickly dismissed by Tanaka with a cheeky but pointed response,
What’s the point if it’s someone older than me?
Being born in 1936, Nozawa has voiced Goku for over 35 years, a role that has made her a household name both in Japan and around the world. But still, it seems like Nozawa has no intention of retiring just yet as she playfully remarked,
I can keep acting until I’m at least 100. I think I could do it until I’m 128.
While the idea of Masako Nozawa taking over the role of Luffy was clearly a joke, the discussion surrounding succession planning in the anime world is anything but. There are many instances when the initial voice actors have been replaced due to unforeseen events, even after many years of voice-acting.
As the years go by and One Piece approaches its final saga, Mayumi Tanaka’s voice will undoubtedly remain tied to Luffy in the hearts of fans. But the show must go on, even after the voices behind the characters move on to other adventures.
One Piece is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
