Jun Kasama debuted as a seiyuu in 2013 but only recently has been in the eyes of the public. This month we take a look at the career of this powerful, unique baritone, skilled dancer, seiyuu and narrator.
Jun Kasama
KANJI: 笠間淳
BORN: April 10
OCCUPATION: seiyuu, narrator
HEIGHT: 174cm
Seiyuu
Jun Kasama was born on April 10 (year not disclosed by his talent agency) in Hiroshima, Japan. He’s affiliated with Tokyo Actor’s Consumer’s Cooperative Society (Haikyo).
2013 – 2017
First steps in the seiyuu industry
Kasama made his debut as a seiyuu in 2013 with a minor role in the sci-fi/action anime Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova.
From that point on, Kasama slowly consistently voiced minor roles up until 2017, when he got the first opportunity to shine as a seiyuu.
In 2017, his secondary role as Wilibald Koenig in the military/magic anime Youjo Senki was his first big opportunity to showcase his acting with some spotlight on it. Koening is part of the military unit under the main character, Tanya Degurechaff.
He’s a quiet, loyal man that doesn’t question her orders.
Still in the same year, he made a brief cameo in The iDOLM@STER SideM, reprising his role as Amehiko Kuzunoha.
Due to the fact that the first season of SideM wasn’t focused on all units that fans know as part 315 Production, fans didn’t get to hear much of Kasama’s acting as Kuzunoha.
Other anime he’s voiced minor roles in include: Spacy Dandy (2014), Arslan Senki (2015), Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri (2015), Comet Lucifer (2015), Starmyu (2015), VALKYRIE DRIVE -MERMAID- (2015), Binan Koukou Chikyuu Boueibu LOVE! (2015), Active Raid: Kidou Kyoushuushitsu Dai Hachi Gakari (2016), ClassicaLoid (2016), Time Bokan 24 (2016), Taboo Tattoo (2016), Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyou no Alderamin (2016), Flying Witch (2016), Prince of Stride Alternative (2016), Re:CREATORS (2017), Vatican Kiseki Chousakan (2017), Gintama (2017), between many others.
2018 –
Slowly putting his name on the map
Kasama kicked off 2018 with a wide variety of roles under his belt, the most he’s managed to get in a year – 19 roles. Out of those, 3 deserve the spotlight for being his first leading roles in anime.
His first main role was in the mecha ONA Gundam Build Divers Prologue.
He voiced gentlemanly yet competitive Kyoya Kujo, captain of the Avalon. He reprised his role in April when Gundam Build Divers started airing however, the character was no longer the leading one but a supporting one.
He then voiced Otoya Todoroki in the comedy shorts, Omae wa Mada Gunma wo Shiranai. The humor in this series was made in a way that it promoted food, sightseeing spots, and a lot more found in Gunma Prefecture.
To wrap up 2018, Kasama reprised his role as Amehiko Kuzunoha in SideM’s chibi anime shorts, The iDOLM@STER SideM: Wake Atte Mini!.
Notable roles in 2018 include Okada in Golden Kamuy and Nimble Arc Dale Anoch in Overlord III.
Other anime he’s voiced characters in include: Damepuri ANIME CARAVAN (2018), Highschool D×D HERO (2018), Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan 2 (2018), Juushinki Pandora (2018), Layton Mystery Tanteisha: Katri no Nazotoki File (2018), Hataraku Saibou (2018), Sunohara-sou no Kanrinin-san (2018), Tsukumogami Kashimasu (2018), Toaru Majutsu no Index III (2018), Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka (2019), between many others.
Radio
While still trying to make a name for himself, Kasama hasn’t had many opportunities to host radio shows.
In 2016, he guested alongside his fellow Legenders‘ members on IDOLMASTER SideM Radio 315Night!.
In 2017, he guested on Tomokazu Sugita‘s anime/games-themed radio show, “Sugita Tomokazu no Anigera Deidon“.
Acting
K4 Company (2021)
In 2021, Kasama made his acting debut. He joined the supporting cast alongside fellow male seiyuu Tsubasa Yonaga, Kentaro Kumagai, Gakuto Kajiwara, Sho Karino, Yuuki Shin, and Yuya Hozumi in the movie K4 Company THE MOVIE.
Games
THE IDOLM@STER SideM (2014 -)
Kasama joined the cast of THE IDOLM@STER SideM in 2014. He voices Amehiko Kuzunoha, Legenders‘ member and former janitor that decides to be an idol with the purpose of cleaning the “filth” in the industry.
Kuzunoha is sarcastic, mysterious and passionate. The character is featured in the two SideM games, IDOLMASTER SideM (2016 -) and IDOLMASTER SideM LIVE ON ST@GE! (2017 -)
In 2018 he joined the cast of -Tokyo Afterschool Summoners-, RPG game for smartphones and in 2019, he’ll be part of Kaikan Phrase CLIMAX -NEXT GENERATION-, game project developed by GMO Internet based and in the same universe as the popular manga Kaikan ♥ Phrase. He’s going to voice Sylphy‘s guitarist, Yukihiko Todo.
Narration
If there’s a field of work in which he’s been consistent since his debut is narration. Kasama is known as a skilled narration and over the years has raked up quite a few credits in this field including:
- Sukusuku,
- The Profiler,
- Tabi no Chikara,
- Taikan! Brazil kiko,
- Gakusei HEROES!,
- Mitaka Knight Fuji,
- Kankyo Business saizensen,
- REDLINE TOUR 2013,
- between many other popular JapaneseTV shows.
Drama CDs
Recently, Kasama started getting roles in drama CDs.
The only credit under his name is Takeda in the BL drama CD, ワンコ系部下のしつけ方 (Wanko Kei Buka no Shitsuke Kata).
Music
Kasama started to take his first steps in the music industry when he joined the cast of IDOLMASTER SideM. Up until now, he hadn’t been part of any music project – solo or group.
He’s the owner of a sweet low voice and has a consistency and quality in his tone that other baritones usually lack.
Legenders (2014 -)
Kasama‘s first endeavor in music as a seiyuu was with Legenders. The group debuted in 2014 and counts with Fumiyoshi Shioya, Jun Kasama, and Wataru Komada.
Legenders‘ songs are passionate and filled with motivational words. When it comes to the live performances, the group showcases their chemistry with powerful vocals and fancy choreographies.
Among all members, Jun Kasama stands out for both his smooth baritone vocals and slick dance moves.
Up until now, the trio has released one single, THE IDOLM@STER Sidem ST@RTING LINE-15 Legenders (2016). Aside from this single, Legenders have participated in several cross-unit and solo song projects within the franchise.
The trio has participated so far in three IDOLMASTER SideM stages: 1st STAGE 〜ST@RTING!〜 (2016), 2nd STAGE 〜ORIGIN@L STARS〜 (2017) and 3rd STAGE 〜GLORIOUS ST@GE!〜 (2018).
They also participated in the fan meeting tour “GREETING TOUR 2017 ～BEYOND THE DREAM～” in 2017 and THE IDOLM@STER SideM’s Five-St@r Party!! in 2018.
Sylphy (2019 – )
In 2018, Kasama joined the cast of Kaikan Phrase CLIMAX -NEXT GENERATION-, new game project developed by GMO Internet-based and in the same universe as the popular manga Kaikan ♥ Phrase. He’s part of Sylphy, band that consists of Ryohei Kimura, Yuma Uchida and Jun Kasama.
Bremüsik (2019 -)
In 2019, Jun Kasama joined the cast of Otogi no Uta: Chronicle, an original 2D music + drama CD project created by San-X in collaboration with Nippon Columbia (in charge of the music distribution).
At the core of this project are fairy tales and Japanese folklore stories with a different twist.
All bands explore a different story however to achieve their happy end, they have to battle with other bands (or team up with others).
The project counts with 7 bands/solo artists in its roster: Momotroop, BLASSKAIZ, Mushoku no Sora to Warau Ito, Bremüsik, Alice×Toxic, Setsudan Club, and Issun-Boushi.
He joined Bremüsik, voicing one of the band members. The group includes as well Sho Nogami, Kouhei Amasaki (on vocals), and Hiroshi Watanabe.
Bremüsik is in charge of creating folk music, having released 5 songs and participated in a shuffle unit song.
Variety
Quick-witted, with a good sense of humor, and a friendly personality, Kasama easily makes any variety show he’s in exude a uniquely warm, and laidback vibe.
Since his debut, he’s only been to a handful of variety shows however all appearances were rather unique and entertaining.
Gaku tomo Channel (2018)
In September 2018, Jun Kasama guested on Gakuto Kajiwara‘s variety show “Gaku tomo Channel“.
The pair played a competitive game of Karuta.
Kajiwara Gakuto, Kasama Jun ga iku, Gumma Prefecture Tour! (2018)
In 2018, Jun Kasama teamed up with Gakuto Kajiwara for Kajiwara Gakuto, Kasama Jun ga iku, Gumma Prefecture Tour!. This variety show stemmed from the anime series Omae wa Mada Gunma wo Shiranai in which Kajiwara and Kasama are voicing main characters.
The duo visited Gunma prefecture, checked sightseeing tours, tasted exquisite gourmet food, and enjoyed the calm of the beautiful prefecture located just west of Tochigi.
Facts
Certified baritone
Kasama has his voice register certified. His voice is, according to Tokyo Actor’s Consumer’s Cooperative Society (Haikyo), certified as baritone (A2 – A4).
Close friendship with Legenders’ members
It is known among his fans just how close he is with his fellow Legenders‘ members. Kasama, Komada, and Fumiyoshi make sure to document their travels and/or adventures together.
The group built their chemistry through hanging out together and after that, every year the trio gets together to build their trust and chemistry a step further.
With this, THTFHQ wraps up another Seiyuu Digest. In the meantime, don’t forget to check past Seiyuu Digests (some of those recently updated) – HERE.
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