Seiyuu Digest #68 – Yusuke Kobayashi

Yusuke Kobayashi turned his career around when he decided to give voice acting a chance in 2010. Since then he has turned into a consistent seiyuu and is beloved by many for his many charms and skills.

Yusuke Kobayashi

KANJI: 小林裕介

BORN: March 25, 1985

OCCUPATION: seiyuu, radio personality

HEIGHT: 164cm

Yusuke Kobayashi was born on March 25, 1985 in Tokyo, Japan. When he was 5 years old, he went with his parents to the United Kingdom. He lived in Newbury for 5 years until he returned to Japan when he was 10 years old.

Kobayashi likes to put emphasizes on the fact that, just because he lived there, it doesn’t mean he is comfortable speaking English – he does speak some but not on a fluent level. He does have a solid pronunciation in most cases.

As a teen, Kobayashi was often reciting lines from anime he’d watch. He mentioned that, one day, one of his friends asked him if he wanted to be a voice actor.

And that was the first time the young Kobayashi thought about going that route in his professional life.

However, he graduated high-school and went to college in an unrelated field much due to the fact that his parents were against him being a seiyuu.

After graduating from college and while unsatisfied with his job at an Air conditioner company, he started taking voice acting classes on his holidays and then, with the support of one of his teachers, Kobayashi ended up enrolling in voice acting classes at Amusement Media Academy.

He ended up leaving the company he was working for to completely dedicate himself to being a seiyuu. This was the gamble of a lifetime.

While at Amusement Media Gakuin, he got his first voice acting gigs, lending his voice to brief narration jobs. When he graduated in 2010, he joined Yu-rin Pro, seiyuu talent agency that still represents him to this day.

As soon as he joined the talent agency, he noticed that no work was coming his way.

Apparently, what he’d found as an easy field of work to get into and earn money from was, in fact, too hard to put into words. To cover for his debts, Kobayashi was doing work at call centers and working at restaurants while barely having money to eat.

But his dream to be a seiyuu was well alive and he wanted to achieve it no matter what, after all he was risking his all into this dream of him.

His motto is:

“I will not die if I fail.”

And like that, Kobayashi kept fighting, focused on 1 goal: to be a seiyuu.

Seiyuu

2013 – 2014

Playing catch up with the younger, rookie seiyuu

Yusuke Kobayashi made his debut as a seiyuu in anime in 2013, when he was aged 28. Looking at how the industry has, more than even, have rookie seiyuu at young ages – most aged 18 – 20 when they make their debut -, Kobayashi’s debut was a late one.

One that put him with a handicap. He was going to be compared to younger rookie seiyuu, all of those more eligible, as time passes, to be leading actors in anime than an ageing seiyuu almost in his 30s.

While it is not necessarily a rule, it is well known that older seiyuu seldom get leading roles in shounen and shoujo anime so, debuting early and then hitting their peak performance and popularity in the mid to late 20s is an advantage, as opposed to that popularity boost only happened in the late 30s.

However, what played in favor of Kobayashi, making his debut at 28 was that his voice sounded way younger than he was at that time, putting him at the same level of the rookies – if voice, alone, helps get those well needed roles -, at the same time his emotional range is matured, fruit of him being older and more experienced in life.

After struggling from 2009 up until 2013, Kobayashi’s chance finally appeared.

Kobayashi’s 1st role was in the action and sci-fi anime, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S.

Still in 2013, Kobayashi got minor roles in anime series such as Golden Time, Little Busters! Refrain, Strike the Blood and White Album 2.

2014 however, was a completely different year for himself. After a series of minor roles, Yusuke Kobayashi was getting his first ever leading role in an anime series just 1 year after making his debut in this side of the industry.

His first leading role was as Honoka Takamiya in the seinen and fantasy anime, Witch Craft Works. The anime has a different take on witchcraft and magic anime, doing it so with a comedic touch.

While Takamiya’s story is pretty much a standard “rising hero” plot, it was the interactions and the hilarious side cast that made the anime shine.

Kobayashi’s performance was far from a highlight – much due to the fact that Takamiya is an ordinary protagonist -, but, there were times in which Kobayashi’s acting stood out, be if for the comedic timing, his emotions or the sheer power he was able to had to his lines.

Still in the same year, Yusuke Kobayashi was casted in 2 anime in which he played relevant secondary roles.

Suwon in Akatsuki no Yona is one of the highlights in his career.

It was the role that started his typecasting in regal roles but also a role in which Kobayashi could show more of his range, tapping into his emotions to deliver a truly good performance that made viewers hate his character to the end of world.

And it is like is often said, when you can’t help but to hate a character, it means that the actor is doing a pretty good job at portraying them, enhancing those points that would cause friction with the viewer.

His performance from Yona’s sweet, friendly cousin Suwon, to the obsessive King that wants to unite the kingdom by whatever means necessary, made quite a big impression in the viewers that, from hereon, would have their sights on Kobayashi’s performances.

Still in the same year, Yusuke Kobayashi was casted as Kazuki Kurebayashi in the game anime, Selector Infected WIXOSS.

Aside from these roles, Kobayashi had roles in anime series such as M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen, SHIROBAKO, Majimoji Rurumo and Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin.

2015 – 2017

The big leading roles

After finally landing leading roles and solid, supporting roles, Yusuke Kobayashi had shown that he was a name worth paying attention to, having a range and a fantastic grasp of emotions that would prove useful for the next set of roles in nailed between 2015 and 2017.

The biggest role in this period, and one that would solidify his aptitude to play regal characters – earning him the nickname Denka by Yoshimasa Hosoya -, is Arslan in the historical and adventure anime, Arslan Senki.

Yusuke Kobayashi’s performance as Arslan had him tackle an inexperienced member of a royal family, growing due to tragedy, gathering allies and working towards overthrowing the story’s villain, getting back what was rightfully his.

Kobayashi’s performance brought that naivety in the early episodes, slowly evolving into a more mature individual – the character was forced to mature quickly to adapt to the circumstances -, more aware and careful about politics and strategy. The way he tackled Arslan emotions – overcoming disasters, undergoing quick transformations, dealing with frustration, having to be strong for others while wavering on the inside, put all his voice acting skills to the test.

For Arslan, Kobayashi tapped into his emotions, delivering a memorable performance in what was a rather cumbersome – yet fascinating – anime.

The roles that followed in the same year weren’t as impressive or good – much due to the story and production being lackluster, not because of effort on the voice acting end -, which didn’t contribute much to put a good light on Yusuke Kobayashi’s skills as a voice actor.

Still, those were well earned chances at leading roles which is something that is hard to come by, especially consistently.

He was casted as Sogo Amagi in the adventure and mecha anime, Comet Lucifer.

While the anime was a complete disaster story and production wise, Kobayashi got in this role another chance to make himself known, delivering a solid performance even on top of a rather bland script.

Kobayashi was casted as Tanukichi Okuma in the ecchi and comedy anime, Shimoneta. The anime ended up going the bland route, focusing too insistently on dirty jokes tackled in an immature fashion, turning what could have been a casual jest, into an unavoidable, insipid gimmick.

It did not help that Okuma fit right in the generic brown haired ecchi protagonist troupe, having a bland personality and, with a story as spread out and ludicrous as Shimoneta, it is safe to say that anime did not get critical acclaim.

A year later, Kobayashi was casted in Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga Aru!, comedy anime with a mature touch that was well received both in Japan and overseas.

He voiced Subaru Uchimaki, character that had all the skills to be an awarded artist, yet his focus is on creating the perfect 2D wife.

Kobayashi showed that although previous iterations in the comedy genre were not successful, he had picked up quite a few new tools to use to make Uchimaki a hilarious character.

If there is a character, Kobayashi is well known and loved for is Subaru Natsuki in the psychological and thriller anime franchise, Re:Zero. He was casted as Natsuki in 2016, making his first appearance in anime on Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu.

This is the anime franchise that Kobayashi has been doing voice acting for the longest.

He has reprised his role in Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu – Memory Snow (2018 movie), Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu – Hyouketsu no Kizuna (2019 movie) and Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 2nd Season (2020).

But Kobayashi’s good spell was going away because the next big roles were in not so well received anime.

He was then casted in the leading role as Azuma Kazuki in the sci-fi and mecha anime, Bubuki Buranki.

The anime received mixed reviews both domestically and overseas. Praised for its beautiful – and not at all clunky – CGI animation, the anime failed to being consistent plot wise, something that detracted from all the good work on the animation and voice acting sides.

In 2017, Yusuke Kobayashi was casted in the leading role as Yuu Haruna in the ecchi and romance anime, Fuuka. He was, once again sharing the spotlight with fellow male seiyuu Soma Saito – with whom he’d worked in Bubuki Buranki, Hand Shakers and Cardfight! Vanguard G and had grown close since.

The anime went on to be a disaster without a discernible. logical plot (even by anime’s twisted standards) and the characters lacked any kind of depth to be taken seriously.

Considered as one of the most uninspired entries in the Fate franchise, Fate/Apocrypha, made its way into televisions around Japan and overseas in 2017 and, despite its hype, the anime was a trainwreck.

Yusuke Kobayashi voiced one of the supporting characters in the series, Caules Forvedge Yggdmillennia, one of the Black masters.

Things changed around in the same year, as Kobayashi grabbed the main role in the comedy anime, Imouto sae Ireba Ii.. Despite its misleading title, this anime explored the hardships of being an artist, with Kobayashi’s character – Itsuki Hashima – being a novelist and struggling at times due to his personality.

More than a comedy, it was the drama that managed to catch the viewer’s attention. There is a surprising depth to this anime in which Kobayashi’s acting shines.

Other anime he’s voiced characters in during this period of time include:

• Cardfight!! Vanguard G
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
• Charlotte
• Shokugeki no Souma
• ALL OUT!!
• Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan
• Prince of Stride: Alternative
• DYNAMIC CHORD

2018 –

Building his repertoire

With a considerable number of leading roles under his belt, Yusuke Kobayashi was now focused on building up his repertoire while trying to keep a consistent stream of anime per season.

The year kicked off with a couple of solid supporting roles.

He grabbed a role in the action anime, Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens. He voiced Saito, a university graduate that, in an odd turn of events, finds himself working as an assassin and framed for a crime he didn’t commit.

The classic sports anime, Captain Tsubasa, was rebooted in 2018 and with it came an almost complete revamp of the cast. Kobayashi was casted as Makoto Soda, fearsome offensive defender.

Still in the same year, Yusuke Kobayashi was casted in Gundam Build Divers as the protagonist, Riku Mikami.

The anime ended up being a pale addition to the Gundam franchise – even if this was heavily targeted for kids -, but the characters were praised by the viewers, being cited as “likeable” which ended up balancing the anime’s poor story.

Change started to be noticed in his career in 2019, as Kobayashi got himself a wide variety of leading or supporting roles in solid anime productions. This was, easily, his best year as a voice actor, one in which he got to further showcase his emotional range and quality as a voice actor.

To kick off the year, Kobayashi was casted as Shin Walford in the comedy and magic anime, Kenja no Mago.

The regular Japanese salaryman ends up reincarnating in another world in which he’ll have to learn magic as Merlin’s grandson while still retaining his memories from the past. The anime was heavily criticized for being a clichéd take on the isekai genre, not putting effort in developing a personality for each character and, instead the protagonist is, from the get-go overpowered and basically revered by any character in the series.

Walford is quite possibly one of the blandest roles in Kobayashi’s repertoire much due to the fact that the character had no depth and any unique traits that would help the personification made by Kobayashi’s performance.

Kobayashi was then casted in the action and supernatural anime, Enen no Shouboutai as Arthur Boyle.

The anime had mixed reviews being praised by being a good adaptation of the source material and, at the same time, criticized by its awful directing.

He was then casted as Tsukasa Mikogami in the fantasy anime, Choujin Koukousei-tachi wa Isekai demo Yoyuu de Ikinuku you desu!.

The light novel adaptation ended up not being that well received both domestically and overseas which, in return, eclipsed Kobayashi’s performance.

To wrap up the year, Kobayashi was casted as Yuya Kanzaki in the action and sci-fi anime series, A.I.C.O.: Incarnation.

The anime was received with mixed reviews yet, Kanzaki was praised for being a good, complete protagonist that did not fall into clichéd territory. Kobayashi’s performance helped making the protagonist believable and likeable.

Kobayashi’s most important role in 2019 was as Senkuu in the action, adventure anime, Dr. Stone. Senkuu comes off as an arrogant protagonist filled with confidence while being incredibly straightforward however, he’s really knowledgeable and supportive of those around him.

The anime was met with critical acclaim although it didn’t end up being a massive success. Kobayashi’s performance as Senkuu was highly praised.

He was then casted as Nobunaga Oda in the historical and action anime, Kochouki: Wakaki Nobunaga. He voiced the protagonist, Nobunaga Oda in this series that, despite the fact that the Sengoku era has already been done time and time again in anime, was actually historically accurate on the events young Oda had to witness and be a part of. This was a first, as events from his childhood and teens had never been done before in anime.

Helping the case of this anime being rather good and a hidden gem from the Summer of 2019 season, Kobayashi’s performance as Oda was pretty consistent, avoiding sounding too rough (like most adaptations of the warlord have been in the past) or too childish / bland (something that usually marks characters in anime targeted for young women).

Although this anime fell a under the radar for most people overseas, it was gifted with good animation, a unique take on Oda’s rise to being one of the most successful and feared warlords and have solid voice acting by the whole cast.

Still in the same year, he reprised his role as Subaru Natsuki in Isekai Quartet, chibi anime featuring most of the protagonists from KADOKAWA’s popular works.

2020 kicked off with a couple of main roles. Kaname Sudo in the action anime, Darwin’s Game was the first big role of the year.

Darwin’s Game presented itself as an exciting battle Royale game however, cramming over 60 chapters of the manga into an 11-episode series led to the anime receiving mixed reviews for its weird pacing and lack of depth.

Classic adventure and fantasy anime, Majutsushi Orphen, got a remake this year and it ended up being a poor attempt of making the original – already with mixed reviews – sound fresh for new anime viewers.

Majutsushi Orphen Hagure Tabi premiered in the Winter 2020 season and casted Yusuke Kobayashi as Majic Lin, one of the protagonist’s sidekicks. Aside from Lin’s aspirations to be a sorcerer, the anime seldom touched on his backstory which made it really hard to connect with the character.

He was then casted as Zel in the ecchi and comedy anime Ishuzoku Reviewers.

Kobayashi reprised his role as Subaru Natsuki in the 2nd season of Re:Zero – Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World 2nd Season.

Other anime series in which he has voiced supporting characters during this period of time in include:

• Nanatsu no Taizai
• Sirius the Jaeger
• Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
• Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru
• Hoshiai no Sora
• Angolmois: Genkou Kassenki
• 3D Kanojo: Real Girl
• Hakyuu Houshin Engi
• Tsurune: Kazemai Koukou Kyuudoubu
• Hataraku Saibou
• Mob Psycho 100 II
• Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!
• Yu☆Gi☆Oh!: Sevens

Awards

In 2017, at the 11th Seiyuu Awards, Yusuke Kobayashi’s hard work and technique were recognized.

He won the Best Rookie Actor award for his role as Arslan in the anime series, Arslan Senki. Kobayashi shared this award with fellow male seiyuu Yuma Uchida and Setsuo Ito.

Radio

Yusuke Kobayashi has a few radio shows under his belt. He’s known for his witty hosting skills and friendly personality that puts guests at ease, leading to interesting episodes.

His co-hosting gig in a radio show was in 2014 for Akatsuki no Yona’s radio, Akatsuki no Yona ~Koka Okaku Radio~. The radio show wrapped up in 2015.

In the same year, Kobayashi co-hosted Arslan Senki‘s and Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai‘s radio shows.

Kobayashi’s 1st chance at hosting his own radio show came in the same year. He was invited to create and host his own radio show for 1 whole month in MAN TWO MONTH RADIO, radio show that counts with a different seiyuu host each month. It kicked off with fellow seiyuu Soma Saito in 2015, and, over the years, it has been a fantastic outlet for newbie or less known seiyuu to have their voices heard and their talents appreciated.

Seiyuu chose their theme, the name of the radio show and variety corners, as well as handle solo hosting of the said radio show.

MAN TWO MONTH RADIO Kobayashi Yusuke no Starry Night was the 4th seiyuu-crafted radio show to air and it was a pretty relaxed radio show in which he focused on learning new things as well as give his insight on some of the listeners’ problems.

In 2016, Yusuke Kobayashi started co-hosting Nandemo Hero! Yukke To Mabo with fellow male seiyuu, Makoto Furukawa. The radio show is still pretty popular and has spawned several DJCDs over the years (above is the cover for the vol.4).

In 2018, he joined fellow seiyuu Shizuka Ishigami to co-host, Kobayashi Yusuke and Ishigami Shizuka no Yuzuranai Radio. The show is filled with shenanigans, hilarious banter and cool guests and is still to this day one of the most entertaining radio shows hosted by seiyuu.

Other radio shows he’s been a co-host or a guest include: Bubuki Buranki – Kokoro to Migite o Tsunagu Radio – (2015 – 2016), Arslan Senki Fujinranbu Radio (2016), Kono Bijutsubu Radio ni wa Mondai ga aru! 〜 Atorie Kono bi!〜 (2016) and more.

Games

Way before making his debut as a seiyuu in anime, Yusuke Kobayashi was already lending his talents to voicing characters in games. His first role was in the romance game, Love, Election and Chocolate.

After that, Kobayashi started to rack up roles in RPGs, otome, action and adventure games in which he was reprising characters from anime series he starred in. Some of his most important game roles include:

Lasswell in Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (2015)

In 2015, Yusuke Kobayashi was casted as Lasswell in the action and adventure RPG, Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius. This was the first big role for Kobayashi in games.

Lasswell plays a big role in the events in this game therefore I won’t be spoiling it for you.

This game didn’t receive as big acclaim as previous entries in the Final Fantasy franchise, much due to the fact that it is a smartphone only game yet, for fans of the franchise, it is a solid entry with good acting and a satisfying playstyle.

Misato Todo in Band Yarouze! (2015 – 2019)

Band Yarouze! was one of those amazing projects that, unfortunately, suffered from a troubled release and was abruptly discontinued.

The game launched on October 12, 2016 after some hiccups that delayed its release, and easily turned into one of the most exciting rhythm games in the industry. Band Yarouze! counted with an attention gripping story that followed the dealings and shenanigans of 4 different rock bands trying to make their break.

The game’s band lineup counted with not only the main 4 bands – OSIRIS, BLAST, Fairy April, Cure2tron – but also the legends DesTIRARE and the rival bands CrystalCross and Freezing.

Kobayashi voiced Misato Todo, Fairy April‘s drummer.

Despite the announcements of new bands joining the lineup and a new storyline kicking off in 2018, the reality was that Sony and Aniplex ended up putting Band Yarouze! on a weird “alive-but-not-really” situation.

Updates ceased to be delivered to the game, before the game’s end of distribution was announced in 2019.

Kuro Yakaku in I★Chu (2015 -)

Kuro Yakaku is the leader of Alchemist, 3-piece group with an interesting edge. At the same time, Yukaku holds a grudge against you (the player) that takes him on a revenge path. A rebel at heart, Yakaku is one of the fans’ favorites.

 Shigure Hakka in DREAM!ing (2018 -)

In 2018, Kobayashi joined the cast of DREAM!ing, smartphone that features music as one of its selling points.

The game features a fantastic cast that includes:

• Natsuki Hanae,
• Makoto Furukawa,
• Nobunaga Shimazaki,
• Shouta Aoi,
• Toshiyuki Toyonaga,
• Yuma Uchida,
• Shunichi Toki,
• Toshinari Fukamachi,
• Shinnosuke Tachibana,
• Tetsuya Kakihara,
• Yusuke Kobayashi,
• Yoshiki Nakajima,
• Yoshiki Nakajima,
• Shunsuke Takeuchi,
• Naru Hamano,
• Yuto Suzuki, and
• Tomohiro Yamaguchi.

Kobayashi voices Shigure Hakka, honors student with a unique twist in the mix as his usual quiet and polite personality can shift drastically to an aggressive and intimidating one resembling that of an Yakuza member.

Byleth in Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019)

In 2019, Yusuke Kobayashi voiced the hero of the story – which the player will play the game as if they choose the male version -, Byleth in the popular RPG game, Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

Other games he’s voiced characters in include: Prince of Stride, Nen shou! for Girls, Granblue Fantasy, VALKYRIE ANATOMIA -THE ORIGIN-, Touken Ranbu, BlackStar – Theatre Starless, Namu Amida Butsu! Rendai Utena, SHOW BY ROCK!!, REDSTONE2, WarLocksZ, Lineage 2: Revolution, between many more.

Highly recommended that you check Yusuke Kobayashi’s Japanese Wikipedia page for an in-depth list featuring all his credits in games.

Narration / Dubbing / Reading

Yusuke Kobayashi kicked off his career as a voice actor in 2009 and it was in narration that he found his first ever voice acting gigs. However, this is not a field in which he is prolific.

In 2016, Kobayashi was the voice actor chosen as the narrator for Animemashite, TV show that is no longer live but that was known for featuring a pair of seiyuu co-hosting the show, showcasing their variety and hosting skills while making their faces and names better known to viewers. It feature a 2-way interview and special anime and music-centric corners with guests.

Other narration credits include: Pet to tomo ni, Chotto michikusa in Yokohama, Gundam Build Divers Special Edition and many more TV spots.

When it comes to dubbing, Kobayashi already has some roles under his belt but it is clear that he is still dipping his feet in this field by how few those currently are.

Some of the movies / foreign series that his dubbed for include: Summer of 84, The Night Shift, Vampire Cleanup Department, The Edge of Seventeen, VANGUARD and Marathon girl.

As of recently, Kobayashi has been casted in reading plays. In 2019, he was casted in Hamlet and Les Miserables.

Drama CDs

Drama CDs are a great way for male seiyuu to showcase their skills as well as getting their name known.

Although now, drama CDs aren’t as big a things as those were up until the mid 10s, there are still some interesting drama CD franchises and manga getting special drama CDs.

Yusuke Kobayashi is best known for his work in the BL (boys love) scene more than in the otome scene. His best known credits include Takashi Tono in Yarichin Bitchbu (2016), Itsuki Sakurabashi in Kikoeru? (2016) and Akio Tachibana in Deichuu no Hasu (2016).

Other credits of his include roles in the following drama CDs: Immoral Triangle” Case1. Gokatei Triangle (2016), Kouhai, Hiroimashita (2017), First Step! 2 Shirasasaka Mayuki Hen (2017), Zantei Boyfriend (2017), Kakkou no Yume (2018), Ma Dou So Shi (2020) and many more.

Music

Contrary to what has been a trend among male seiyuu, Yusuke Kobayashi has never kicked off a solo career. He’s also not part of any band outside of those in 2D music projects.

Kobayashi is known for his flawless singing, filled with control and a unique flair that makes him tackle any kind of intricate part and deliver it as if it was a simple thing to pull off. He’s quite adept of falsetto and vibrato and usually smooths his way through songs.

Safe to say that he’s most of the times dazzling the listener or, in case you’re not familiar with his singing tone and skills, making your jaw drop with his quality.

Over the years, Kobayashi has been part of several 2D idol and band projects and, in almost every single one of those, he showcased why he is a talent that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Alchemist (2016 -)

In 2016, Kobayashi joined the popular I-Chu franchise. He was casted as Kuro Yakaku, Alchemist‘s leader. The group is known for their fiery rock sound. He performs alongside Koutaro Nishiyama and Takumi Yasuaki.

Fairy April (2017 – 2019)

2017 welcomed an ambitious rock rhythm game, Band Yarouze!. The franchise introduced 4 main bands: OSIRIS, BLAST, Fairy April and Cure2tron.

Fairy April‘s lineup counts with Shouta Aoi (vocals), Kaito Ishikawa, Yusuke Kobayashi and Shouma Yamamoto. The band has a youthful and bright on pop-rock, making them a good middle group between the punk-rockers BLAST and the powerpop band Cure2Tron.

Since their debut, Fairy April released a couple of insert songs for the game – that were later released in Duel Gig albums.

VAZZY (2017 -)

Announced in 2017 and only now making their debut, VAZZY is a unit part of TSUKIPRO‘s newest franchise “VAZZROCK“.

VAZZY consists on Tarusuke Shingaki (leader), Yusuke Kobayashi, Masahiro Yamanaka, Yusuke Shirai, Tsubasa Sasa and Shun Horie. The unit is labeled as owner of a dangerous and powerful sound/appeal.

Yusuke Kobayashi voices Kira Ouka.

He’s already performed in several entries in the bi-color series.

His first steps in the VAZZROCK franchise and as a member of Vazzy came from his stunning duet with Shingaki Tarusuke in Mamiya Takaaki’s amethyst.

Still in the same year he performed for Pearl, Ouka Kira’s 1st entry in the bi-color series.

A year later Kobayashi lent his singing skills to the 2nd volume in the bi-color series. He first participated in Onoda Sho-diamond x pearl- and then on his own Kira Ouka -pearl×sapphire-, both released in 2019.

VAZZY performed live as a group for the first time in 2018 at VAZZROCK LIVE 2018 in Saitama.

The franchise then held another live in 2019.

VAZZROCK FES 2019 was held at Hulic Theater in Tokyo.

It was split into several performances with different members of the cast attending each show. Then, a final show, featuring all members, was held to wrap up that year’s performances.

Rush! (2018 -)

The five piece group Rush! consists on Kento Hama (leader), Yuto Uemura, Makoto Furukawa, Toshiki Masuda and Yusuke Kobayashi.

Their songs were marketed as being powerful and having underlying battle vibe. Although the group was announced in February 2018, they haven’t released any music.

RGB-Trinity (2019-)

In November 2018, Kobayashi was announced as part of RGB-Trinity, Kira-tune’s new unit set to debut in 2019. RGB-Trinity consist of Toshiki Masuda, Yuma Uchida and Yusuke Kobayashi.

The group has already released a couple of singles since their debut. Hoshikuzu Invention was the group’s debut single, released in 2019.

The group then participated in the versus release with the franchise’s own Kouiten. RGB-Trinity VS Kouiten was released in January 2020.

For this release, RGB-Trinity performed a new song titled HEART BANDIT.

cozmez (2019 – )

In late 2019, Yusuke Kobayashi was announced as part of the cast of Paradox Live, mixed media project developed by Avex and G Crest, that has hip-hop music as its selling point.

Kobayashi is part of cozmez with fellow seiyuu Toshiyuki Toyonaga.

In 2020, the group released their debut song, Where they at. The song was included in Paradox Live’s CD, Paradox Live Opening Show.

Still in the same year, the duo returned to face off BAE in Paradox Live Stage Battle “DESIRE“.

The song, Get it, embodied the underdog vibe the group. Smooth flow, perfect synergy between the members and an imposing trap instrumental on top of powerful, ambitious lyrics made the song stand out more than Where they at had managed to. However it was not enough to win the first battle.

Variety

When it comes to variety is safe to say that Yusuke Kobayashi is a natural. Friendly and witty, Kobayashi is always commented on by variety hosts as a great guest. When he’s the one hosting, things get a little interesting.

Some of the variety shows he’s been a part of include:

Seiyuu Danshi Desu ga… (2015 – 2017)

Seiyuu Danshi Desu ga…? is a variety TV show that features male seiyuu undergoing training, working, and undertaking various physical challenges in order to improve. It kicked off in 2015 and after 3 seasons, in 2017, the show wrapped up.

As a special goodie for their fans, Seiyuu Danshi Desu ga…? had its own silver screen adaptation in 2020.

This variety show counts with Yusuke Kobayashi, Yuto Uemura, Yuichiro Umehara, Keisuke Komoto, Yusuke Shirai, Yutaro Honjo, and Kazutomi Yamamoto.

KAJI100 (2017 as a guest)

In 2017, Yusuke Kobayashi was a guest on Yuki Kaji’s variety show, KAJI100. The pair was not too close before the recording which made up for an interesting episode in which both slowly got to know each other.

Kaji and Kobayashi went farming for this episode.

Ono Kensho no Tabitomo vol.7 (2018)

In 2018, Yusuke Kobayashi was a guest on Kensho Ono’s travel variety show, Tabitomo.

Kensho Ono, Yuichiro Umehara and Yusuke Kobayashi went to see the cherry blossoms in Shizuoka. The trio also experienced a trip on a VR roller coaster, a water balloon fight and the usual quizzes/missions.

Saito Soma no Wagokoro wo Kimi ni 2 (2019)

In 2019, Yusuke Kobayashi was a guest on Soma Saito’s healing variety show, Saito Soma no Wagokoro wo Kimi ni. Alongside the host, Soma Saito, Kobayashi went to play taiko drums, visit a shrine and eat some traditional food to wrap up.

During this episode filled with laidback vibes, the pair let viewers know the got to know and what they think of each other.

Nakajima Yoshiki no Fuburaji 2 (2019)

Yoshiki Nakajima‘s Fuburaji public recording was held on 09/12/2019 at CBC hall in Aichi.

This public recording event was hosted by Yoshiki Nakajima and counted with guests Tomohito Takatsuka, Yuichiro Umehara, Yusuke Kobayashi and Koutaro Nishiyama.

Kobayashi Bakufu (2019 -)

Samurai and Japanese history buff, Yusuke Kobayashi, kicked off his own YouTube show on Nizista’s YouTube channel. 小林幕府 (Kobayashi Bakufu) is a show about Kobayashi being bored and in need of new hobbies.

With a wide variety of guests and a lighthearted vibe, this has been a delight for his fans to follow as Kobayashi tackles new hobbies.

Namikawa Daisuke no Paripi! (2020)

In 2020, Yusuke Kobayashi was one of the guests on Daisuke Namikawa’s Paripi!, variety show hosted by Daisuke Namikawa that has a focus on emulating different kinds of parties and alcoholic drinks with seiyuu guests.

Facts

Active

If there is one thing Yusuke Kobayashi, is active. He does plenty of exercise and loves doing all kinds of sports. He mentioned that he loves boxing and he is specialized in Karate, having been practiced it throughout his 4 years in college.

With laidback hobbies

Much like his refreshing and quiet personality, Kobayashi’s hobbies exude the same vibe. He loves playing darts, eating and has a herbarium (collection of pressed dried plants).

With this we wrap up another Seiyuu Digest. In the meantime, don’t forget to check past Seiyuu Digests (some of those recently updated) – HERE.