On March 1, 2023, we reported on the unfortunate news of Demon Slayer’s Hashira, Tomioka’s voice actor Takahiro Sakurai being let go from a voice acting position due to a 10-year-long affair. Normally, in such situations, the voice actor is dropped from all their voice acting roles, as per the Japanese anime industry’s unwritten rules. However, this case has taken a somewhat different turn.
On March 31, 2023, Intention, the voice acting agency representing Takahiro Sakurai, announced that they had terminated his contract, and the two parties are no longer working together.
Intention made the announcement on its official website and also shared the news on Twitter:
櫻井孝宏に関するご報告https://t.co/3v5xQnWisO
— インテンション【公式】 (@intention_staff) March 31, 2023
The report began with an apology for the inconvenience caused by Takahiro Sakurai’s actions, followed by the announcement of the contract termination. Intention revealed that Sakurai himself chose to leave the agency, and they respected his personal decision. The company further apologized to their long-time supporters and expressed hope that Sakurai would work diligently wherever his career takes him.
Comments of Takahiro Sakurai
Sakurai also commented on the announcement, beginning with an apology to those hurt by his misconduct. He further added that his intentions to leave were personal, as a way of reflecting on his behaviour and that he will be alone from now on to be the real Takahiro Sakurai. He reminisced about his eight and a half years with the agency and expressed gratitude to everyone involved. Sakurai concluded his statement by promising to do his best to regain the trust of his fans.
Sakurai joined Intention on July 20, 2014, and his contract was terminated on March 31, 2023. Prior to Intention, he worked with another company called “81 Produce.” After leaving “81 Produce,” Sakurai freelanced before eventually joining Intention.
Did Takahiro lose his voice acting roles?
Surprisingly, not entirely! While he did lose his roles in the anime series Mononoke and Ayaka, his voice can still be heard in the latest preview of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 as Geto Suguru. As for Demon Slayer, Tomioka will continue to be voiced by Takahiro Sakurai, at least for Season 3.
What are your thoughts on this development? Should Takahiro Sakurai have been removed from the Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 cast? Share your opinions in the comments below!
Source: Intention Official Website