- ARAB NEWS
- 29 Apr 2024
Since 1975
ABU DHABI: Popular Japanese voice actors Tōru Furuya, known for his role as Amuro Ray in “Gundam,” and Show Hayami, known for his role as Sōsuke Aizen in the anime “Bleach,” are currently visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time as part of the Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) convention.
Furuya shared with Arab News Japan on Friday that he was mesmerized by the beauty of Abu Dhabi after visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan, adding that his sightseeing experience was extremely special.
The 70-year-old actor has been doing voiceovers since he was around 10 years old. He landed the main role in the sports anime “Star of the Giants,” which became a big hit in Japan and led him to star in some of the biggest shows worldwide. Although he found his passion at a young age, Furuya always knew that he wanted to be an actor.
His filmography includes shows that are well-received in the Middle East, such as “Detective Conan” and “Dragon Ball Z,” which were dubbed in Arabic and played a huge role in Arab fans’ childhood. 59% of people aged 16 to 24 voted the latter as a fan favorite, according to a YouGov survey conducted by Arab News.
Furuya, who has been voicing Rei Furuya in “Detective Conan” since 1996, cited the role as his favorite. “He is a superhero who can do anything. In Japan too, (he) became a big hit,” he told Arab News Japan.
When asked why anime played such a big role in Arab people’s childhood, Furuya said it was because people of all age groups and cultures could relate to it. “The work itself transcends age groups, making it more enjoyable,” he told Arab News Japan.
Furthermore, Hayami, who also played roles in “Gundam” and “Dragon Ball Z,” echoed his statement. “I believe (the anime’s messages) come across very strongly,” he said.
Known for his deep voice that resonates with anime lovers, Hayami has been in the voice-acting industry since the 1980s. “I can’t narrow down (my favorite role) to just one; I think Bleach’s Aizen is still a very important role,” he said, reflecting on the roles he has done.
Both actors are extremely grateful for the reaction and love they have received from their Arab fans so far. They will participate in a panel on Sunday titled “”From an Iconic Supervillain to a dozen Superheroes,” where they will share stories on how they brought their memorable characters to life. The panel will be moderated by UAE-based cosplayer Shaziya Ashraf.
Furuya and Hayami are holding meet-and-greets on Saturday and Sunday, with prices starting from ¥10,977. Tickets are available now on MEFCC’s website
