The 20th Seiyu Awards, which honors the most active voice actors of the year, was held on March 15th at the Bunka Broadcasting Media Plus Hall (Minato-ku, Tokyo). Kikunosuke Toya , who gained attention for his role as Denji in the animated film " Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc," was selected for the Best Leading Voice Actor Award. Upon receiving the award, Totani said, "There are two people I would like to thank," and expressed his gratitude to voice actress Megumi Ogata, who "taught me acting," and his own mother.
Totani said, "After joining the agency in 2017, there was a period of about five years when I couldn't pass any auditions until 2022 when I finally passed an audition and got a role." She recalled, "While I was searching for a way to get started, I came across Team BareboAt, a voice acting school run by Ogata."
"I'm so glad that Ms. Ogata taught me how to act, and that she taught me the joys of acting, the struggles of acting, and the fun of acting. If it weren't for Ms. Ogata, I certainly wouldn't be standing here today, and I don't think I would have passed the audition. I'm truly grateful to Ms. Ogata," he said.
Regarding his mother, he said, "My mother is a really laid-back and easygoing person, and she raised me with kindness and care. Perhaps because of that influence, I've also become easygoing, but I think that easygoing nature has been a great source of strength for me in surviving in this voice acting industry, in the sense of having an unyielding spirit and being able to pursue the path I believe in. I am truly grateful to my mother for raising me that way," and he expressed his gratitude by saying, "Thank you so much, Mom, no, Mama!"
Shion Wakayama , who voices Momo (Ayase Momo) in the TV anime " Dandadan ," also received the same award.
The Seiyu Awards, established in 2006, are co-sponsored by KADOKAWA, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting, and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions. Aside from the MVS (Most Valuable Seiyu, the most outstanding voice actor as chosen by fans), the awards are selected by the Executive Committee and the Selection Committee. The 20th awards covered works and voice actors that aired, streamed, or were announced between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. To commemorate the 20th anniversary, Romi Park, who won the Best Leading Actress Award at the inaugural awards, and Aya Hirano, who won the Best New Actress Award, served as ambassadors.
