A Place Where Passion Fuels Passion — Hiiro Ishibashi’s Relentless Drive for Growth at Avex

INTERVIEW

A Place Where Passion Fuels Passion —
Hiiro Ishibashi’s Relentless Drive for Growth at Avex

HIGHLIGHT

ONOFF

Voice actor Hiiro Ishibashi, who belongs to Avex Pictures Inc. (API), has pursued a career in entertainment since the age of four through Avex Artist Academy. At just 13 years old, he gained widespread recognition after being cast as Miguel, the lead character in the Japanese version of Disney/Pixar's “Remember Me,” released in Japan in 2018. Since then, he has continued to build his career step by step, earning the Best New Voice Actor Award at the 2025 Voice Actor Awards.

In January 2026, “Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers”, in which Ishibashi stars as the protagonist Gai, began airing. As the highly anticipated second cour of the series begins, we looked back on his journey with Avex together with his manager, Sasaki of Avex Animation Labels Inc. (an API subsidiary), while discussing where Ishibashi and API stand today—and where they hope to go from here.

Avex as Home — Where His Talent First Took Root

Looking back, Ishibashi smiles as he recalls Avex Artist Academy—the place he attended from early childhood with the dream of becoming "an artist who can both sing and dance." To him, it was like a second home.

Ishibashi "When I was in kindergarten, it was the only place where I could do what I loved most—singing and dancing. It was an incredibly important part of my life. Even after I entered elementary school and later junior high, my routine was always the same: go to school, then go to Avex. It was there that I learned so much, including the mindset of turning every experience into an opportunity for growth."

A major turning point came when he was twelve, after years devoted to lessons. He auditioned for Disney/Pixar's “Remember Me,” and it was through that audition that he first met his current manager, Sasaki.

Sasaki "When Disney approached us about auditions for the role of Miguel, all of the voice actors we were managing at the time were adults. So we held an internal audition for every child attending the Academy, including those in the vocal and dance courses. We met so many talented kids, but the moment I saw Hiiro, I immediately thought, 'There he is.' I knew right away, 'He's the one. There's no one else for this role.'"

Although Ishibashi says that "I never imagined becoming a voice actor back then," Sasaki recognized something special in the twelve-year-old. Whenever she explained a character's situation or emotions, he immediately adjusted his performance accordingly. Convinced of his natural acting ability, she watched him go on to win the role of the film's protagonist.

Ishibashi "It was my very first dubbing session, and honestly I had no idea what I was doing. But I was determined to devote myself completely to the job I had been entrusted with. If this week's recording was for one scene, I'd give everything to that scene. The following week I'd do exactly the same for the next one. All I could do was focus with everything I had on whatever was right in front of me."

Everything about the production—from voice acting itself to the sheer scale of the project—was entirely new to him. Watching Ishibashi throw himself wholeheartedly into the work, however, Sasaki remembers thinking only one thing: he looked like he was truly enjoying it.

Sasaki "He had to perform a number of songs for the film, and we spent several days recording them. It's rare for a thirteen-year-old boy to walk into a recording booth alone and spend hours recording while surrounded by so many adults. But Hiiro genuinely enjoyed every single song. The staff would say, 'If he can sing at this level, let's aim even higher,' and they kept pushing him further. Watching him do everything he could to meet those expectations, I realized he was even more remarkable than I had imagined."

Taking Talent Seriously

Ishibashi's words and attitude reveal an unwavering hunger for growth. His determination to always strive higher is reflected in the way he approaches his work, but cultivating that positive mindset required him to overcome many struggles and difficult periods along the way.

Following his acclaimed performance in Disney/Pixar's "Remember Me," Hiiro Ishibashi quickly rose to prominence as a voice actor. He continued to build his career through a number of projects, but...

Ishibashi "I always wanted to pursue singing, and that feeling never changed after Remember Me. But things didn't work out the way I had hoped. Then, when I was around eighteen, Sasaki-san asked me, 'Why don't you fully commit yourself to voice acting?'"

Sasaki "I felt a sense of responsibility because I was the one who brought him into the world of voice acting. Of course I knew how much he loved singing, and I never wanted him to give it up. I simply believed it was time for him to seriously embrace another talent he possessed—acting."」

Ishibashi "To be honest, I wasn't taking my work as seriously as I should have back then. After 'Remember Me' brought me a lot of attention, I think I became overconfident in my own abilities. I got carried away. If I could meet my younger self today, I'd probably slap some sense into him. (laughs) Sasaki-san also gave me some tough words when I needed them."

Sasaki "No matter how talented you are, you can't survive in this industry unless you're truly committed. Before one audition, he came in without having prepared enough. There were so many people who desperately wanted that role, and showing up half-prepared was disrespectful not only to everyone competing but also to the work itself. So I told him, 'You can go home.'"

Ishibashi "I know it was probably late to realize how demanding this profession is when I was already eighteen. Looking back, I had simply been fortunate, and I owe everything to the people who supported me. Now that I've been given so many opportunities, I understand how important it is to stay humble and approach every project with a positive attitude. I truly believe that only by giving everything you have can you make a meaningful contribution to a production."

Sasaki "Now, when it comes to voice acting, he's overflowing with such positivity and determination that even we find ourselves inspired by him. Sometimes it feels like he's the one pulling us forward. (laughs)"(笑)」

Looking back on the struggles and uncertainties he faced during his formative years—both as a person and as a voice actor and artist—Ishibashi says, "I'm truly grateful that the person by my side through it all was Sasaki-san."

Ishibashi "When I was struggling, there was a future where I might never have realized what I was doing wrong and just remained half-hearted. But whenever I needed it, Sasaki-san never hesitated to be strict with me. Ever since then, she's always told me, 'No matter how well things are going, never get carried away or become arrogant.' I remind myself of those words every day as I keep working hard. These days, I even joke that I want to work so hard that I'll be the one who makes Sasaki-san and the rest of my managers proud."

With renewed humility, dedication, and a genuine love for his craft, Ishibashi once again began pursuing growth with relentless determination. His efforts were recognized in 2025, when his performance in the TV anime "Shinkalion: Change the World" earned him the Best New Voice Actor Award at the Voice Actor Awards.

Ishibashi "'Shinkalion' was a project where both the protagonist I played, Taisei Ohnari, and I grew together over the course of a year. It was the first project I landed after deciding that I would truly dedicate myself to voice acting, and I poured everything I had into it—even if it meant changing the person I used to be. When I learned that I had won the award, I finally felt I had left my former self behind. It made me feel that all the hard work had been worthwhile, while at the same time encouraging me to keep pushing myself even further."

Sasaki "Compared to before he changed his attitude toward his work, his acting is completely different. The improvement was unmistakable. Having watched that transformation firsthand, I remember thinking, 'He's finally made it this far. He's going to be all right now.' Receiving the award at that moment made me genuinely happy."

Actors and Staff Inspiring One Another: A Cycle of Shared Passion

From childhood, through both hopeful and uncertain times, Ishibashi has continued his journey alongside Avex. As a voice actor represented by Avex Pictures Inc. (API), how does he view the company today?

Ishibashi "Compared to other voice acting agencies, API has a relatively small roster of voice actors. While some major agencies represent hundreds of talents, there were only about seven of us when I joined. Because of that, I was fortunate to be given so many opportunities to audition, and I feel those experiences helped me grow tremendously. More than anything, though, it's my managers who have supported me every step of the way. The reason I'm able to do what I do today is because of them. To me, API's greatest strength is its people. Every individual here is what makes the company special."

Sasaki "Avex was already a well-known company, but when we first began managing voice actors, people would often say, 'Avex? They manage voice actors?' We were in a position where even getting auditions was a challenge. Even so, I wanted to match the passion of the actors who had chosen to pursue voice acting with us. I kept pushing forward because I didn't want to let that passion go unanswered. Thankfully, the company trusted me enough to say, 'Run things the way you believe they should be done.' Thanks to that support—although it certainly wasn't without its challenges (laughs)—I believe we've built a team where everyone can work openly and sincerely, with managers and actors alike fully committed to one another."

The passion shared by Ishibashi and the other voice actors inspires the staff in return. That renewed enthusiasm is then passed back to the actors, creating a continuous cycle in which each side motivates the other to reach even greater heights.

Ishibashi "The passion here is incredible—not just from me, but from my seniors and juniors as well. Every time I see how hard everyone else is working, it motivates me to push myself even further. That energy naturally flows between senior and junior actors, and from our managers too. I believe this positive cycle of inspiration is one of API's greatest strengths."

Growing with Every Role:
The Strength of Relentless Self-Improvement

The second cour of "Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers," in which Ishibashi voices the protagonist Gai, begins airing in July 2026. His relentless pursuit of growth remains just as evident in this latest role.

©SUNRISE

Ishibashi "Up until now, I've often been cast as earnest, hardworking young boys, so a character like Gai is something completely new for me. At the beginning of the story, he's essentially an antagonist, so his language is rough and his attitude is aggressive. Tackling that side of the character was a real challenge. As the story unfolds, though, Gai is influenced by the people around him and gradually grows into someone kind and deeply caring. In many ways, I feel that I expanded my own range as an actor by growing alongside him. And one unexpected bonus—I think my vocal cords have gotten a lot stronger on this project. There are so many intense battle scenes where I'm shouting in ways I never had to in any previous role (laughs)."

What should viewers look forward to most as the second cour begins?

Ishibashi "Because it's an original series with no existing source material, there's still very little I can reveal. What I can say is that the human drama becomes even more compelling, and every character really comes into their own. If anyone has been hesitant because they think it's just another 'hero action' series, I'd encourage them to set those preconceptions aside and start watching from the very first cour. I hope everyone finds a favorite character to cheer for and enjoys the series with us."

The many experiences Ishibashi has gained through this series will undoubtedly become the foundation for his next role, continuing to shape him as both an actor and a performer.

When asked what possibilities she sees in Ishibashi's future, Sasaki smiled before answering.

Sasaki "Looking back, there were times when he truly hit rock bottom. But he made the decision himself to commit fully, and from there he worked his way back up. That ability to grow through adversity is exactly what I believe his greatest potential is. These days, more and more often, he wins leading roles whenever he auditions, and honestly, his growth has exceeded even my expectations. His dedication, combined with the positive energy of the entire team, has created a wonderful momentum. We often find ourselves saying, 'There's nothing but excitement for what's ahead.' As a manager, there are certainly difficult moments, so being able to say that sincerely is something special (laughs). Looking forward, I want us to continue pursuing even broader possibilities together—not only nurturing his passion for voice acting, but also helping him return to the path he originally dreamed of: singing."

Ishibashi "Voice acting makes up most of my work right now, but I still continue vocal training without fail, and I never want to lose my desire to improve as a singer. People often tell me, 'You're a great singer,' but if I let that stop me from growing, it would be no different from becoming arrogant. I want to keep pushing myself in both acting and singing, and someday become someone who can truly excel at both."

What new horizons will Hiiro Ishibashi reveal in the years to come? The anticipation that Sasaki feels is surely shared by the many people who support him. Embracing those expectations with the same enthusiasm that has carried him this far, Ishibashi's journey of growth is only just beginning.

(Photo left)
Hiiro Ishibashi

(Photo right）
Avex Animation Labels Inc.
Marie Sasaki

Management member（Aizawa/Sakamoto/Arai/Yashima）

TV Anime "Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers" Information

The heroes return!
As divine messengers descend as new enemies, the Samurai Troopers enter a new battle.

TV Anime "Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers" – Second Cour
Broadcasting and streaming begins on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

STAFF
Original Work: Hajime Yatate
Director: Yoichi Fujita
Series Composition & Screenplay: Shogo Muto
Main Character Design: Yuhei Murota
Villain Character Design: Tsukasa Kotobuki
Original Yoroi Gear Design: Hideo Okamoto
Music: Shuji Katayama (Team-MAX)
Animation Production: Sunrise
Production: Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers Production Committee

CAST
Gai: Hiiro Ishibashi
Kaito Uesugi: Junya Enoki
Musashi Hojo: Ayumu Murase
Yamato Hojo: Shunsuke Takeuchi
Shion Ishida: Kentaro Kumagai
and more

Second Cour Theme Songs
Opening Theme: "BAD Idenshi" — Dannie May
Ending Theme: "Bakemon" — Karanoa