Hello, I’m Kodak.
When anime fans talk about a character’s voice, you may see comments such as:
“I recognized the seiyuu immediately.”
“This anime has an amazing seiyuu cast.”
“She is one of my favorite seiyuu.”
Seiyuu (声優) is the Japanese word for a voice actor.
A seiyuu may perform in anime, video games, foreign-film dubbing, narration, radio drama, commercials, audiobooks, and many other voice-based productions.
声優 (seiyuu) means voice actor or voice performer in Japanese.
The word is not limited to anime, and it is not gender-specific. A male or female performer can both be called a 声優.
① what seiyuu means in Japanese
② how the kanji 声優 forms the meaning “voice actor”
③ how to pronounce and write seiyuu
④ what Japanese voice actors actually do
⑤ how seiyuu differs from actor, narrator, and dubber
⑥ what CV, cast, afureko, and “the person inside” mean
⑦ why seiyuu can also be singers, radio hosts, or stage performers
⑧ examples of famous Japanese seiyuu
What Does Seiyuu Mean in Japanese?
Seiyuu is the romanized form of 声優.
Hiragana: せいゆう
Romaji: seiyū / seiyuu / seiyu
English: voice actor / voice artist / voice performer
A Japanese dictionary definition describes a seiyuu as an actor who performs through the voice, including work for animation, games, foreign-film dubbing, narration, and radio drama.
このキャラクターの声優は誰ですか。
Kono kyarakutā no seiyū wa dare desu ka?
Who is the voice actor for this character?
彼女は人気のある声優です。
Kanojo wa ninki no aru seiyū desu.
She is a popular voice actor.
In English-speaking anime fandom, however, fans often use seiyuu especially when discussing Japanese voice actors or the Japanese voice cast.
The Kanji Meaning of 声優
The word 声優 contains two kanji.
voice / sound
優 (yū)
actor / performer in this word
In words connected with performance, 優 has the sense of an actor or performer. You can also see it in 俳優 (haiyū), meaning actor.
⇒ an actor who performs with the voice
⇒ voice actor
How to Pronounce Seiyuu
Hiragana: せいゆう
Romaji: seiyū / seiyuu
Mora: せ・い・ゆ・う (4 morae)
Both the ei and the final ū represent Japanese vowel sequences. For a beginner, it is helpful to practice the four beats:
い (i)
ゆ (yu)
う (u)
Say them smoothly as se-i-yu-u.
Japanese rhythm is more even. Keep all four morae present: se-i-yu-u.
Seiyuu, Seiyū, or Seiyu?
Seiyuu — writes the long vowel as “uu”
Seiyu — simplified spelling commonly used online
All three normally refer to the same Japanese word: 声優.
Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana
Hiragana: せいゆう
Katakana: セイユウ
Romaji: seiyū / seiyuu
The standard spelling is 声優. Katakana may appear for visual emphasis, but it is not the usual spelling.
How Do You Say “Voice Actor” in Japanese?
The most direct answer is 声優 (seiyuu).
⇒ 声優
Japanese voice actor
⇒ 日本の声優 / 日本人声優
anime voice actor
⇒ アニメの声優
voice cast
⇒ 声優陣 / キャスト
日本の声優に興味があります。
Nihon no seiyū ni kyōmi ga arimasu.
I am interested in Japanese voice actors.
このアニメの声優陣はとても豪華です。
Kono anime no seiyū-jin wa totemo gōka desu.
This anime has a very impressive voice cast.
If the context specifically requires it, Japanese can say 女性声優 for a female voice actor and 男性声優 for a male voice actor.
What Does a Seiyuu Do?
Anime is one major area of voice acting, but it is only part of the job.
・anime characters
・video-game characters
・Japanese dubbing of foreign films and television shows
・foreign animation dubbing
・television and documentary narration
・commercials
・radio dramas and audio dramas
・audiobooks and reading performances
・public announcements and educational content
・character songs and music projects
・live events and stage appearances
Anime fame is visible to international fans, but it is not the definition of the profession.
Seiyuu vs Haiyuu: Voice Actor vs Actor
俳優 (haiyuu) is the general Japanese word for an actor.
an actor or performer whose work centers on the voice
俳優 (haiyū)
an actor, especially in live-action film, television, or theater
彼は声優としてアニメに出演しています。
Kare wa seiyū to shite anime ni shutsuen shite imasu.
He appears in anime as a voice actor.
彼女は映画俳優として有名です。
Kanojo wa eiga haiyū to shite yūmei desu.
She is famous as a film actor.
The Japanese word itself contains the actor-related kanji 優.
Can One Person Be Both a Seiyuu and a Haiyuu?
Yes. Many performers work in both voice acting and live-action or stage acting.
声優・俳優 — voice actor and actor
声優・歌手 — voice actor and singer
声優・アーティスト — voice actor and musical artist
声優・ナレーター — voice actor and narrator
Seiyuu vs Narrator vs Dubber
These jobs overlap, but the words emphasize different kinds of work.
The broad professional label “voice actor.”
ナレーター (narētā)
A narrator who explains or guides a program, documentary, commercial, or video.
吹き替え (fukikae)
Dubbing foreign-language dialogue into Japanese.
吹き替え声優 (fukikae seiyū)
A voice actor known for dubbing foreign films, dramas, or animation.
The English word “dubber” is not the standard everyday Japanese label for the performer.
What Are Afureko and After-Recording?
アフレコ (afureko) is an important word in Japanese voice-acting culture.
Short for アフター・レコーディング (“after recording”)
It commonly refers to recording voices or dialogue for animation or video after the visual material has been prepared.
今日はアニメのアフレコがあります。
Kyō wa anime no afureko ga arimasu.
I have an anime voice-recording session today.
Production conditions vary from project to project.
What Does CV Mean in Anime Credits?
You may see CV beside a character’s name.
Usually understood as Character Voice
It identifies the performer providing a character’s voice.
⇒ Character A is voiced by ○○○○.
A more ordinary sentence is このキャラの声優は誰？—“Who is this character’s voice actor?”
What Does Naka no Hito Mean?
Anime fans sometimes say 中の人 (naka no hito), literally “the person inside.”
Literal meaning: the person inside
Fan usage: the real performer behind a character, mascot, avatar, or public persona
この二人のキャラクター、中の人が同じなんだ。
Kono futari no kyarakutā, naka no hito ga onaji nan da.
These two characters have the same voice actor.
中の人 is playful fan language and can also refer to a mascot performer, virtual avatar operator, or another hidden person—not only a voice actor.
Why Are Seiyuu So Famous in Japan?
Japanese voice actors can develop public careers that extend far beyond a single character.
・radio programs and podcasts
・anime and game events
・concerts and character-song performances
・solo music releases
・television variety programs
・stage plays and musicals
・magazines, photo books, and interviews
・fan clubs and live streams
But seiyuu does not mean idol. Many voice actors focus mainly on acting, dubbing, or narration and have very different public careers.
What Is a Seiyuu Artist?
The expression 声優アーティスト (seiyuu artist) commonly refers to a voice actor who also has a significant music career.
voice-acting profession
歌手
singer
声優アーティスト
a voice actor active as a recording or live musical artist
The label 声優アーティスト is more often used when music is a major and continuing part of the performer’s public work.
Examples of Famous Seiyuu
“Famous” is subjective, and Japanese voice acting includes performers from many generations and specialties. The following are only a few internationally recognizable examples—not a ranking.
Masako Nozawa (野沢雅子)
Megumi Hayashibara (林原めぐみ)
Koichi Yamadera (山寺宏一)
Kana Hanazawa (花澤香菜)
Hiroshi Kamiya (神谷浩史)
Mamoru Miyano (宮野真守)
Use these names only as starting points. “Famous” can depend on generation, genre, country, language, and the anime or games a fan follows.
What Are the Seiyu Awards?
The Seiyu Awards (声優アワード) are Japanese industry awards created to recognize voice actors, works, and achievements in voice performance.
・lead performances
・supporting performances
・new performers
・singing
・influential or valuable seiyuu
・long-term contribution
・special achievements and productions
They can introduce you to respected performers, but acting preferences remain subjective, and many excellent voice actors may not appear in one year’s results.
A Brief History of the Word Seiyuu
Voice performance in Japan developed through radio drama and later expanded into television, animation, foreign-film dubbing, games, narration, and other media.
Actors perform in radio drama and voice-based broadcasting
↓
The word 声優 becomes established for actors performing through voice
↓
Television creates growing demand for animation and foreign-film dubbing
↓
Games, character music, radio, and live events expand the profession
↓
“Seiyuu” becomes an internationally recognized anime and pop-culture term
Dictionary records include an example of the term from 1931, while organized training and professionalization were strengthened through Japanese radio drama in the following decades.
Anime later became one of the most internationally visible parts of the profession.
How Anime Voice Recording Works
The exact process differs by production, but voice actors generally need to combine acting with precise timing.
・study the script and character
・watch timing signals or unfinished visuals
・match dialogue to a scene’s length
・react naturally to other performers
・repeat lines with new emotional direction
・create breaths, cries, laughs, and battle sounds
・maintain a consistent character voice
・adjust pronunciation and microphone distance
Individual recording and remote methods are also used depending on scheduling, production needs, and circumstances.
Useful Japanese Vocabulary for Seiyuu Fans
声優さん (seiyū-san) — voice actor, said respectfully
声優陣 (seiyū-jin) — group of voice actors / voice cast
キャスト (kyasuto) — cast
配役 (haiyaku) — casting / assignment of roles
役 (yaku) — role
演技 (engi) — acting / performance
声 (koe) — voice
収録 (shūroku) — recording
アフレコ (afureko) — post-recording / anime voice recording
吹き替え (fukikae) — dubbing
ナレーション (narēshon) — narration
オーディション (ōdishon) — audition
中の人 (naka no hito) — the person behind a character or persona
声優アーティスト — voice actor active as a musical artist
Natural Japanese Sentences About Seiyuu
好きな声優は誰ですか。
Suki na seiyū wa dare desu ka?
Who is your favorite voice actor?
このキャラクターの声を聞いたことがあります。
Kono kyarakutā no koe o kiita koto ga arimasu.
I have heard this character’s voice before.
二つのキャラクターを同じ声優が演じています。
Futatsu no kyarakutā o onaji seiyū ga enjite imasu.
The same voice actor plays the two characters.
エンドクレジットで声優の名前を確認しました。
Endo kurejitto de seiyū no namae o kakunin shimashita.
I checked the voice actor’s name in the end credits.
この声優は吹き替えでも有名です。
Kono seiyū wa fukikae demo yūmei desu.
This voice actor is also famous for dubbing.
声だけで感情を表現するのは難しいです。
Koe dake de kanjō o hyōgen suru no wa muzukashii desu.
Expressing emotion with only the voice is difficult.
新しいアニメのキャストが発表されました。
Atarashii anime no kyasuto ga happyō saremashita.
The cast of the new anime was announced.
彼はアニメだけでなく、洋画の吹き替えもしています。
Kare wa anime dake de naku, yōga no fukikae mo shite imasu.
He does not only perform in anime; he also dubs foreign films.
彼女は声優としてデビューしたあと、歌手活動も始めました。
Kanojo wa seiyū to shite debyū shita ato, kashu katsudō mo hajimemashita.
After debuting as a voice actor, she also began a singing career.
この作品は声優陣の演技がすばらしいです。
Kono sakuhin wa seiyū-jin no engi ga subarashii desu.
The voice cast’s acting in this work is excellent.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking Seiyuu Means Only Anime Voice Actor
Anime is one major field, but 声優 also work in games, dubbing, narration, radio drama, commercials, and other media.
Mistake 2: Thinking Seiyuu Is a Female-Only Word
声優 is gender-neutral. Use 男性声優 or 女性声優 only when the distinction is relevant.
Mistake 3: Treating Seiyuu as the Character’s Name
The character and performer are different people. The seiyuu is the real performer who creates the character’s voice.
Mistake 4: Assuming Every Seiyuu Is Also an Idol or Singer
Some voice actors have highly visible music careers, while others specialize in acting, dubbing, narration, or less public work.
Mistake 5: Confusing CV with the Character’s Initials
In anime and game credits, CV usually introduces the performer providing the character’s voice.
Mistake 6: Pronouncing Seiyuu as Two Strong English Words
Use an even Japanese rhythm and keep the four morae: せ・い・ゆ・う.
このキャラクターの声優は誰ですか。
Kono kyarakutā no seiyū wa dare desu ka?
“Who is the voice actor for this character?”
FAQ About the Meaning of Seiyuu
What does seiyuu mean?
Seiyuu (声優) means voice actor or voice performer in Japanese.
Does seiyuu mean anime voice actor?
It can refer to an anime voice actor, but the word is broader. Seiyuu also work in games, foreign-film dubbing, narration, radio drama, commercials, and other voice productions.
How do you say voice actor in Japanese?
The standard word is 声優 (seiyuu). A Japanese voice actor can be described as 日本の声優 or 日本人声優.
How do you pronounce seiyuu?
It has four Japanese morae: せ・い・ゆ・う. The spellings seiyū, seiyuu, and seiyu normally represent the same word.
Is seiyuu male or female?
The word is gender-neutral. Japanese can specify 男性声優 for a male voice actor or 女性声優 for a female voice actor.
What is the difference between seiyuu and voice actor?
In basic meaning, there is no major difference: seiyuu is the Japanese word for voice actor. In English anime fandom, “seiyuu” often specifically suggests the Japanese-language performer.
What is the difference between seiyuu and haiyuu?
声優 emphasizes acting through the voice, while 俳優 is the general word for an actor, especially in live-action film, television, and theater. One person can work as both.
What does CV mean in anime?
CV is commonly understood as Character Voice and identifies the performer who provides a character’s voice.
What does naka no hito mean?
中の人 literally means “the person inside.” Fans use it playfully for the real performer or operator behind a character, mascot, or avatar.
What does seiyuu-san mean?
声優さん adds the polite name suffix -san. It is a respectful and friendly way to refer to a voice actor.
Can seiyuu be singers?
Yes. Some release music under their own names, perform concerts, or sing character songs. However, singing is not required to be a seiyuu.
Who are some famous seiyuu?
Examples include Masako Nozawa, Megumi Hayashibara, Koichi Yamadera, Kana Hanazawa, Hiroshi Kamiya, and Mamoru Miyano. This is only a small sample, not a complete ranking.
Summary: What Does Seiyuu Mean?
声優 means voice actor or voice performer.
● Kanji
声 = voice
優 = actor / performer in this word
● Pronunciation
せ・い・ゆ・う (se-i-yu-u)
● Work
Seiyuu can perform in anime, games, dubbing, narration, radio drama, commercials, and many other voice productions.
● Gender
声優 is gender-neutral.
● Related terms
CV = character’s voice performer
アフレコ = anime or post-recording session
吹き替え = dubbing
中の人 = the person behind the character or persona
● Important point
A seiyuu is an actor. Anime celebrity, singing, and idol-style activity are possible career paths, but they are not part of the word’s basic definition.
Once you remember 声 = voice and 優 = actor, the meaning of 声優 becomes easy to understand.
Learn more Japanese anime terminology in our complete guide.
References
- Kotobank: 声優 — dictionary definition, historical example, and overview of the profession.
- Kotobank Japanese–English Dictionary: 声優 — English translations including voice actor and voice artist.
- 81 Produce: Company Information — overview of professional work involving anime, games, foreign-film dubbing, and broader voice culture.
- Seiyu Awards Official Website — purpose, categories, and records of Japan’s voice-acting awards.
- Aoni Production: Masako Nozawa — official profile and major roles.
- King Records: Megumi Hayashibara Profile — official career and representative roles.
- Across Entertainment: Voice Actors and Narrators — official agency listing including Koichi Yamadera.
- Kana Hanazawa Official Profile — official career overview and representative roles.
- Aoni Production: Hiroshi Kamiya — official profile and representative roles.
- Mamoru Miyano Official Profile — voice acting, dubbing, acting, and music career.