One Piece anime casts Kenjiro Tsuda as Figarland Shamrock - Where have you heard him before

Fans of the One Piece anime have a huge surprise incoming, and it is what they needed since they heard the news of the series shifting to a seasonal release model. According to the new promotional video, we now know who will be the voice actor for the mysterious Figarland Shamrock.

It is none other than Kenjiro Tsuda, who will be making his debut in the Elbaf arc. This early reveal has the fandom hyped with excitement. The name of this actor might be familiar to fans of anime because he is one of the most popular voice actors, and you have likely heard one of his works.

Some popular characters he has lent his voice to are Nanami Kento (Jujutsu Kaisen), Kai Chisaki aka Overhaul (My Hero Academia), and Kishibe (Chainsaw Man). Long-time fans of this VA might also recognize him from some iconic characters as Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh!), Mikoto Suoh (K), or Ryuga (Beyblade).

The reason why people love this work is because of how he managed to project a calm, controlled, and effortlessly intimidating voice. This makes him desirable for characters who are anti-heroes or villains. In the One Piece anime, he even voiced Vinsmoke Yonji, Sanji’s younger brother. This means that Shamrock would be the second character he would be lending his voice to; this is not surprising, as it is a trend that One Piece fans are quite familiar with.

Why does this casting matter for the One Piece anime's Elbaph Arc?

Elbaph arc in One Piece introduces stakes that just keep on rising. The Straw Hat crew finally reaches the island of Giants, and Oda has used this opportunity to reveal many secrets that had been kept under wraps. Additionally, the arc also ties into major world-building revelations about Shanks, the Celestial Dragons, and the Holy Knights.

We know that Shamrock is the twin brother of Shanks. Currently, he is an alleged villain who will be playing a critical role in exposing the World Government’s divine hierarchy and Shanks’ mysterious lineage. Bringing Tsuda to lend his voice to this character is more than just a PR move; he is perfect to set the tone of the story.

As the VA has control of being able to shift from stoic authority to cold cruelty, it will be the perfect portrayal of what Shamrock represents.

A potential plot hole or a clever misdirection

However, Kenjiro Tsuda's casting does raise an interesting continuity question. In One Piece Episode 887, a hooded figure resembling Shanks appeared before the Five Elders. Back then, the same voice actor as Shanks was used, implying it was him. But the manga later revealed that this mysterious visitor was most likely Shamrock. That means Tsuda’s involvement could potentially create a minor retcon, unless, of course, Oda intended this confusion from the start.

Many fans online have pointed out that the anime staff couldn't know the figure’s true identity years ago, and using Shanks’ voice actor at the time helped preserve the mystery. Now that the truth is out, Tsuda’s arrival at Shamrock feels like the missing piece falling perfectly into place.

Final thoughts

In the end, one thing is for sure: With Kenjiro Tsuda being hired to step into the role of Figarland Shamrock, the One Piece anime is continuing its tradition of having a strong team of talent who are all legends in their line of work. This ensures that the characters get a chance to come alive.

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Fans of One Piece as loving this news as his commanding presence, extensive range, and history of voicing dignified yet dangerous men make him the ideal fit for Shanks’ enigmatic twin.

As One Piece sails toward the Elbaph Arc’s April 2026 release, fans can rest assured that Shamrock’s debut will not only expand the world’s political and emotional depth but will also echo with one of anime’s most recognizable and respected voices.

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