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Kazuki Yao to Step Down From One Piece Franky Role
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
The stage presentation for One Piece that will be held at the Jump Festa '25 event on December 22 will announce the successor to the role, and will also serve as a "graduation ceremony" for Yao.
Yao also posted on his X/Twitter about the situation, stating, "A sad farewell has come, a separation with a person I have spent nearly a quarter of a century with." He added that a gap has now opened up between his "ideal" Franky and himself, and so he decided to "depart from the Thousand Sunny for now." He expressed his sadness and frustration, and apologized, but added that a "su~per~ replacement" is being prepared.
The X/Twitter for the franchise had Wataru Takagi was replacing Yao as the voice of Jango in episode #1,121, due to Yao's poor health. Yao voices Franky, Jango, and Bon Clay in One Piece.
In mid-October the franchise announced that the current Egghead arc of the anime would pause to "recharge," and then the arc will continue in April 2025. The anime is currently airing One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga, a 21-episode abridged version of the Fish-Man Island arc of the anime, with reshot scenes, retouched art, and other improvements.
The official X/Twitter of KENN credited as the voice of Judau Ashta, instead of Yao. The later explained that KENN was substituting as the voice of Judau due to production schedule issues.
Sources: One Piece franchise's X/Twitter , Kazuki Yao's X/Twitter via Game Yoridori Subcul Midori Park
