Enthusiasts of the beloved series One Piece are buzzing with excitement as they finally get a glimpse of Figarland Shamrock’s voice, an intriguing character set to appear in the anime’s anticipated Elbaph Arc.

In a promotional video released on November 2 through the official One Piece YouTube channel, fans were treated to a preview of Shamrock’s voice. The video promotes the release of Volume 113 of the One Piece manga, and it was here that Kenjiro Tsuda was unveiled as the voice behind this enigmatic character. This early reveal has generated much anticipation, as Tsuda is expected to reprise the role when the anime rolls into the eagerly awaited Elbaph Arc in 2026.

Kenjiro Tsuda is a titan in the world of voice acting, with an impressive portfolio that spans decades. His versatile talent has brought to life characters such as Seto Kaiba in Yu-Gi-Oh, Nanami Kento in Jujutsu Kaisen, and Kai Chisaki in My Hero Academia. Since his debut in 1995 with the role of Atsushi Noda in H2, Tsuda has built a prolific career, contributing his voice to countless anime, video games, and dubbing projects, as well as making appearances in feature films.

Beyond anime, Tsuda has become a familiar voice in the Kamen Rider franchise, participating in several series from 2007 to 2021. His involvement in such a wide array of projects highlights his significant influence and continued relevance in the entertainment industry, making his casting as Figarland Shamrock a highly anticipated event for both One Piece fans and voice acting aficionados alike.

One Piece’s Elbaph Arc Takes Major Step Forward with Figarland Shamrock’s Debut

Tsuda is one of the biggest names in voice acting today, with the star having taken on numerous leading roles ranging from Yu-Gi-Oh‘s Seto Kaiba to Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Nanami Kento to My Hero Academia‘s Kai Chisaki. With a career spanning 1995’s H2, for which he provided the voice of Atsushi Noda, Tsuda has amassed hundreds of credits across anime, video games, voice dubbing, and even feature film appearances. Tsuda has also become a minor mainstay of the Kamen Rider franchise, with voice appearances across a half dozen separate Kaimen Rider television series between 2007 and 2021.

The villainous twin brother of Shanks and one of the antagonists of the series’ hit Elbaph Arc. Although Shanks has already been seen once in a brief, hooded cameo in the anime in Episode 887 during the Levely Arc back in 2019, the character has yet to make any formal debut. This falls right in line with the character’s debut in the original One Piece manga, which came well after Shamrock appeared as a shrouded figure in search of a “certain pirate.”

During New York Comic-Con, One Piece anime director Wataru Matsumi discussed the level of freedom that he and the series’ other creatives have while working towards such major events such as the Elbaph Arc and with such a massive, frequently shifting team of animators. “So basically, as a rule of thumb, you know, we want for animators and every staff member to feel like they can do what they want to do,” Matsumi explained. “And we don’t want to limit their abilities and imagination. So you know, recently, we get to work with animators from outside of Japan, and they bring in this new creativity and sensitivity that we may not necessarily have… We are able to create a much more interesting picture than before, but we try not to go overboard — you know, we do need to rein it in. I need to see the balance, but it’s been very exciting.”

One Piece Volume 113 goes on sale November 4.