Japanese voice actor Kaito Ishikawa, known worldwide as the voice of the cyborg hero Genos in One-Punch Man, has made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone all of his upcoming anime projects due to health concerns. The popular voice actor, who also voices Tenya Iida in My Hero Academia and Tobio Kageyama in Haikyu!!, is stepping away from the recording booth to focus on his recovery.
According to official announcements from his agency Stay Luck, Ishikawa requires immediate medical attention and an extended period of rest. This means several highly anticipated anime scheduled for 2026 and beyond will either need to find replacement voice actors or delay their production schedules.
Why Is Kaito Ishikawa Taking a Break From Voice Acting?
The 32-year-old voice actor is facing serious health issues related to his vocal cords. Stay Luck released an official statement confirming that Ishikawa has been diagnosed with vocal cord polyps that have worsened over time. He previously underwent surgery for the same condition in May 2023, taking a one-month hiatus at that time .
Sources close to the agency reveal that the polyps have returned and require immediate surgical intervention. Doctors have strongly recommended a minimum recovery period, which means Ishikawa cannot perform in any recording sessions for the foreseeable future. In his message to fans and production committees, Ishikawa apologized for the inconvenience and concern his sudden break causes, asking for understanding as he prioritizes his health.
This is not the first time the industry has seen a voice actor step away due to vocal cord issues. The demanding nature of anime voice work, which often requires intense shouting, emotional outbursts, and character voices for hours at a time, puts significant strain on the vocal cords.
Full List of Anime Projects Affected by Kaito Ishikawa’s Break
Several major anime productions are now scrambling to adjust their schedules. Here is the complete list of upcoming anime that featured Kaito Ishikawa in main or supporting roles:
One-Punch Man Season 3 (Genos)
The third season of One-Punch Man is currently scheduled for release, with the full original voice cast confirmed to return, including Makoto Furukawa as Saitama and Kaito Ishikawa as Genos . Production staff at J.C. Staff are now facing a critical decision. Genos is one of the two central characters in the series, appearing in almost every episode. The Monster Association Arc, which season three will adapt, features Genos prominently in major battles and emotional scenes. Production sources indicate the team is evaluating options, including temporarily recasting the role or delaying episodes featuring Genos until Ishikawa recovers.
My Hero Academia Final Season (Tenya Iida)
The long-running superhero series is currently in its final season. Ishikawa has voiced the class president Tenya Iida since 2016 . Iida remains a key supporting character, and with the story approaching its climax, his presence is crucial. The production committee at Bones has not issued an official statement, but insiders suggest they may utilize previously recorded dialogue or adjust the episode order to buy time.
Haikyu!! VS the Little Giant (Tobio Kageyama)
The upcoming Haikyu!! movie, VS the Little Giant, is scheduled for 2027 . Ishikawa voices the genius setter Tobio Kageyama, one of the most beloved characters in the entire franchise. Given the film’s distant release date, production may continue with other aspects of animation while waiting for Ishikawa’s return.
DAN DA DAN Season 2 and Season 3 (Jin Enjoji)
The breakout hit DAN DA DAN (also known as Dandadan) features Ishikawa as Jin “Jiji” Enjoji, a character who becomes increasingly important as the story progresses. The anime has already announced a third season for 2027 . Jiji’s role expands significantly in the manga’s later arcs, making this a major concern for Science Saru, the animation studio.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 3 (Lance Crown)
Ishikawa voices Lance Crown, a prominent character in the magical comedy series. The third season was already in pre-production, and Lance has significant screen time in the upcoming arcs .
Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend (Sakuta Azusagawa)
The Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai franchise continues with a new film, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend, scheduled for 2026 . Ishikawa voices the protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa, who appears in every scene of the film. This presents a major challenge for CloverWorks.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (Diego Brando)
One of the most anticipated anime in years, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run was set to feature Ishikawa as Diego Brando, a key rival character in the part . The series is scheduled for 2026, and David Production must now decide how to proceed.
Aishiteru Game wo Owarasetai (Yukiya Asagi)
This upcoming school comedy romance anime was announced with Ishikawa starring as the male lead Yukiya Asagi, opposite Miku Itou. The show is scheduled for an April 2026 premiere . With production by Felix Film already underway, this is one of the most urgently affected projects.
Pardon the Intrusion, I’m Home! (Akito Satsuki)
Another 2026 anime, Pardon the Intrusion, I’m Home!, features Ishikawa as Akito Satsuki, one of the three main characters . Tatsunoko Production is handling the animation, and the romantic comedy relies heavily on the chemistry between the three leads.
Other Affected Projects
Additional anime series affected include:
- The Darwin Incident (Gale) – 2026 series
- Petals of Reincarnation (I. Newton) – Upcoming series
- My Happy Marriage Special (Kiyoka Kudo) – 2026 special episode
- Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian Season 2 (Touya Kenzaki) – 2026
- Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You. (Toya)
- WITCH WATCH (Keigo Magami)
What Happens to These Anime Now?
When a voice actor cannot perform due to health reasons, production companies typically have three options. The first is to delay the project entirely, pushing back release dates until the actor recovers. This is most common for lead roles where the character’s voice is iconic and irreplaceable.
The second option is temporary recasting, where another voice actor fills in for a limited number of episodes. This happened previously with Gundam: Witch from Mercury when Yume Miyamoto took a health break . The third and most permanent option is full recasting, though this is usually a last resort for long-running roles.
For Ishikawa’s most iconic roles like Genos, Kageyama, and Iida, production committees will likely wait as long as possible. These characters are so closely associated with his voice that replacing him permanently would upset fans worldwide.
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Support From Fans and Industry Colleagues
Following the announcement, social media platforms filled with messages of support for Ishikawa. Fellow voice actors have also shared encouraging words, emphasizing the importance of health over work. Makoto Furukawa, who voices Saitama alongside Ishikawa’s Genos, posted a supportive message expressing hope for his colleague’s speedy recovery.
The voice acting community in Japan has been increasingly open about health struggles, with several high-profile breaks in recent years raising awareness about the physical demands of the profession.
For now, fans must wait for official announcements from each anime production regarding recasting or schedule changes. Ishikawa’s agency has promised to provide updates on his condition and recovery timeline as they become available.
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