Geek It! SMASH! 2023 Spotlight: VA Panel with Toru Furuya

You may know him as Amuro Ray from Gundam; Hyūma Hoshi from Star of the Giants; Yamcha from Dragon Ball; Tuxedo Mask from Sailor Moon; and Ribbons Almark from Mobile Suit Gundam 00. Who is this person, should you ask? We’re talking about the one and only …

TORU FURUYA!

Luckily for us Aussie fans, he recently visited Downunder for SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2023. Although we’re not that familiar with his portfolio (besides the exception of Yamcha and Tuxedo Mask), it is always fun to watch voice-acting panels.

To be honest, it was one of the most refreshing Japanese guest panels that we’ve attended in years. Japanese voice-actors are usually very guarded and restricted but Furuya was being unapologetic with his answers and having the time of his life on stage.

This was evident by his self-introduction to the audience “Hello! I’m Toru Furuya. Very famous voice-actor from Japan and in the WORLD! Today, you can take photos and videos… and hug and kiss!”

NOTE: For a panel that was titled ’55 Years of Voices’, we thought the panel was going to be super special. Unfortunately, it was just a basic Q&A session — we didn’t even get to hear and see Furuya-san do live dubbing! (Biggest letdown!)

Here are some highlights of Toru Furuya’s SMASH! 2023 guest panel!

Host: It is so good to see you in Australia — is this your first time in Sydney?

Furuya:

This is actually my second time in Sydney. I visited Blue Mountains about 30 years ago. Five years ago, I went to the Gold Coast and I got to hug the koalas … three times!

Host: You have a remarkable voice-acting career that spans more than half a century. You started voice-acting in the late ’60s when you were in your teens – what inspired you to pursue this profession?

Furuya:

When I was five, I was in a child-acting class so I could become a child actor. When I became 10, I got my first voice-over job for an American drama series. When I became 13, I got my first role as ‘Kid the Pirate Prince’ in Kaizoku Ouji. After that, I played the main protagonist ‘Hoshi Hyuma’ in the baseball anime Kyojin no Hoshi and the series became a major hit in Japan.

When I graduated university, there were many pathways that I considered such as being a Governor or working for the Government. There was also the option of following my parents and working at the Tofu store. But I ultimately decided to consider this pathway of voice-acting.

Host: What were some of the challenges and opportunities that you faced in your initial roles of your career?

Furuya:

It was actually a couple of years ago…. I was involved in an animated movie called Paprika (2006) and played the role as ‘Dr. Kosaku Tokita’. That character was very hard to act because he was humongous. He probably weighed about 200 kgs — my voice simply didn’t match! My voice is better for cool and handsome characters [audience laughs].

Host: Yes, you have a very beautiful voice. You are a very beautiful man.

Furuya:

I know! [audience laughs]

Host: Now you have portrayed some of the most iconic protagonists in anime history such as Amuro Ray from Gundam and Pegasus Seiya from Saint Seiya. How do you relate to these characters? How have they influenced your choice of voice-acting roles?

Furuya:

Ah, I think all characters are a lot like me! [audience laughs]

These characters have a strong sense of justice inside them and I heavily relate to this heart of justice. Gundam, for instance, was a very successful series. The image of ‘my voice’ has become Amuro Ray himself and the character was what influenced me the most. Because many people in the industry sees my voice as young Amuro Ray, it makes it hard for them to offer me grown up roles which can be very challenging.

Host: Do you get a choice in choosing roles?

Furuya:

There is no choice at all. I still have to audition for roles.

Host: From your portfolio, which character are you most proud of?

Furuya:

That is a very hard question. Honestly, I can’t single them down to one. Amuro is definitely one of them. I’ve been voicing him for more than 47 years now and it has essentially become my lifework. Other characters that I’m also proud of are Sabo from One Piece and Rei Furuya from Detective Conan.

Host: Do you have any interesting anecdotes that you enjoy telling?

Furuya:

During Gundam, I was 25 and I didn’t really drink alcohol. So usually after recordings, the other voice actors would disappear into the Red Light District and I would see them off. Time has passed since then, and by the time I was 40, I started to drink and the tables have now turned and it’s me asking them to go out and drink.

Host: What kind of methods do you use to train your voice to reprise roles that has a long history?

Furuya:

I actually don’t think too much when I voice characters like Yamcha as the role has been ongoing for a long time. Luckily, my voice hasn’t changed much, and it was most probably because I didn’t drink much when I was young.

Host: What is next for you in your career?

Furuya:

As long as I can put a voice out, I want to do this for many years to come. Because I’ve been able to get all these great roles like Amuro and Sabo, I think it’s time for me to get a scrubbier character [laughs]

And to wrap up this panel overview, here is a fun video of Furuya-san eating Aussie snacks!

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