One Piece

One Piece: Toru Furuya announces his retirement from dubbing after personal scandals

Renowned Japanese voice actor Toru Furuya, known for playing iconic characters such as Yamcha in Dragon Ball, Sabo in One Piece and Rei in Detective Conan, has confirmed that he will retire from the industry after being embroiled in a series of controversies. The news was revealed shortly after Bunshun magazine published an article detailing his inappropriate relationship with a much younger fan, generating significant uproar among his fans.

Sabo’s legendary One Piece seiyuu Toru Furuya announces retirement amid controversy

Toru Furuya

Furuya, 70, is one of the most recognised voices in the anime industry, with a career spanning more than five decades. However, with the recent revelations of the scandals, production companies have begun to take action. The characters he played have gradually begun to be replaced, as in the case of Yamcha and Sabo, suggesting an imminent transition to new voices.

One of the few roles he was able to reprise before his announcement was that of Amuro Ray in the mobile game Gundam UC Engage. However, following his retirement announcement, Bandai Namco may also be evaluating options to replace him in future appearances of the character.

According to the Bunshun article, Toru Furuya reportedly had a romantic relationship with the young woman, taking advantage of his position of power and recognition. The situation escalated when it was revealed that the girl became pregnant, sparking a wave of public outrage. Sources close to the case claim that Furuya himself intervened to persuade the girl not to have the baby, a decision that sparked even more criticism of his behaviour. The allegations point to an abuse of power and emotional manipulation, which has left a stain on his career and reputation.

Toru Furuya 2

Toru Furuya’s retirement announcement has generated divided opinions among fans. While some lament the fall of a dubbing icon, others find his actions unacceptable and justify his departure from the industry. The Japanese dubbing industry, known for its high level of professionalism, is usually rigorous in this type of situation, which explains the quick reaction of the companies to distance themselves from the actor.

Opinions among fans have been mixed, reflecting both sadness and disapproval. While some lament the way his career ended, others justify his departure from the industry:

  • ‘It’s a shame that he had to end his career in this way. It’s sad to see him go, but he deserved it and I hope he can be a better person in the future.
  • ‘Unfortunately, he had to retire because of something as insignificant as a miscarriage. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with that. It’s better than letting a child be born from a loveless marriage.’
  • ‘No wonder her career ended by her own hands.’
Sabo One Piece

These opinions reflect a mixture of regret and resignation among Toru Furuya’s fans, with some focusing on the fall of his reputation, while others downplay the controversy of what happened to the young woman, highlighting the complexity of the personal decisions involved.

The actor’s retirement marks the closing of an important chapter, not only in his career, but in the world of anime. However, his legacy is now overshadowed by the allegations that led to his downfall, leaving questions about how the industry will handle similar situations in the future.