‘Naruto’ voice actor Kazuhiko Inoue on becoming Kakashi in seconds and surviving 52 years in anime
Veteran Japanese voice actor Kazuhiko Inoue reflects on his 52-year career, spanning from his early days to his iconic role as Kakashi Hatake in Naruto. He discusses his journey into the industry and his experiences at the Anime India 2026 convention.
Why it matters
Highlights the massive global cultural impact of anime and the longevity of voice acting as a professional craft.
Few voice actors have remained fixtures of Japanese popular culture for as long as Kazuhiko Inoue. During a visit to Delhi last week for the Anime India 2026 convention , where thousands of fans gathered to celebrate the country’s rapidly growing anime community, the veteran performer behind characters such as Kakashi in Naruto , Nyanko-sensei in Natsume’s Book of Friends and Kars in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure reflected on the craft, chance encounters and sheer longevity that have sustained his long career.
The article is a profile piece focused on entertainment and cultural history with no political agenda.
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