Beloved by many due to his easygoing and quirky personality and respected by many for his talents in the entertainment industry, Subaru Kimura is one of the names on the rise in past couple of years.
Subaru Kimura
KANJI: 木村 昴
BORN: June 29, 1990
OCCUPATION: seiyuu, rapper, actor, narrator
HEIGHT: 183cm
Subaru Samuel Bartsch – best known as Subaru Kimura – was born on June 29, 1990, in Leipzig, Germany. Kimura is German-Japanese.
His father is the renowned former German opera singer and vocal teacher, Josua Bartsch. His younger sister is a musical actress.
Subaru Kimura lived for 7 years in Blankenburg however, he would end up moving with his family to Japan and settle there.
Upon arrival in Japan, Kimura joined a small theatre company, Precious Treasure Theatre Company, and started to learn stage acting, singing, and tap dancing.
Seiyuu
2005
The perfect debut with a role that has defined his career
Subaru Kimura made his debut as a voice actor in 2005, a couple of years since he started doing stage acting. He auditioned to replace the late Kazuya Tatekabe in the remake of Doraemon.
This was a big role in one of the most iconic and beloved anime series of all time. Kimura passed the audition and he got his first-ever role in anime.
What’s pretty impressive – and lucky at the same time – is that this role would end up defining Subaru Kimura’s career.
Since 2005, Kimura has been the voice of Takeshi Goda in Doraemon, anime series that has spawned, over the years, several TV specials, OVAs and a complete remake.
From 2005 until 2011, Kimura didn’t get any other roles in anime aside from Goda, a role that, to this day, he is still in charge of.
2011 – 2014
First Leading roles and building up a repertoire
After 6 years with no new roles in anime, 21-year-old Subaru Kimura was back and more ready than ever to make his career as a voice actor blossom.
In 2011, Kimura was cast as Kanba Takakura in the psychological and drama anime series, Mawaru Penguindrum. Although not talked about as other anime that aired that year, this was one of the gems.
Good character development on top of heavy, dark drama is its greeting card.
Kanba was Subaru Kimura’s first-ever leading role in anime, a role that had its complexity as the character is faced with dilemmas, ending up solving those in pretty immoral ways with just one thought in his mind: save his family.
Kimura’s performance stood out and there was nothing but praise for what he pulled off as Kanba.
Once again, Kimura was showing his cards when it comes to grasping emotions and making characters relatable to the viewers. That would end up being his trademark, noticeable in all the roles he’s taken since then.
2012 arrived and with it came a relevant supporting role in Code:Breaker.
He was cast as Masaomi Heike, character that, in the first introduction gives off an apparently calm and collected vibe with a bit of a quirky personality however, deep down, he is manipulative, vicious, and incredibly strong.
This was quite the complex character to give voice to as Heike ranges from a calm person to a pervert and a crazy individual with a snap of your finger. Despite being a supporting character, Heike stood out in the middle of a cast with very few fresh traits and personalities.
Still in the same year, Subaru Kimura voiced the confident Shinkyo center, Papa Mbaye Siki in the hit sports anime Kuroko no Basket.
A year later he was cast in the mecha anime Gundam Build Fighters as Alan Adams.
2014 kicked off with a lot more work than what had been usual up until then for Subaru Kimura.
Although he did not get any leading character roles, he had a series of supporting and minor roles in anime such as Ping Pong the Animation, Black Bullet, The Kindaichi Case Files R, and Psycho-Pass 2.
2015 –
The go-to guy for rough characters with a heart of gold
2015 would end up being the year in which Subaru Kimura made a lot of people notice him. He was cast in the musical anime, Dance with Devils, as Mage Nanashiro.
The anime series adapting what would end up to be the PSP otome game of the same name was quite popular at that time.
This was something that, alongside Mage’s rough on the outside, soft on the inside personality, made the character quite beloved among Dance with Devils’ fans and turned a lot of attention to Subaru Kimura.
Fans got to listen to Kimura’s singing chops for the first time in this series and he made quite the big impression.
This role started the certain typecasting that has marked his career since then, voicing characters that have a tough exterior but have a heart of gold.
He reprised his role in the movie, Dance with Devils-Fortuna-.
In the same year, he was cast as Ryoma Terasaka in the action and comedy anime, Assassination Classroom.
Terasaka is a student training to become a professional assassin, having his teacher as the target.
He has a tough exterior that he uses to intimidate and manipulate others however, deep down, there’s some fragility to the character.
2016 brought a couple of awesome roles for Kimura.
He was cast in the 2nd season of the popular sports anime Haikyuu!! as Shiratorizawa Academy’s middle blocker, Satori Tendou.
Tendou is known for teasing both his adversaries as well as teammates.
He’s loud and extremely cheerful – in a quirky way – when he’s not competing. While playing, Tendou relishes on his adversaries’ mistakes and how good he’s at reading player movement.
However, despite his overall intimidating vibe, he’s quite the caring character.
Still in the same line of aggressive, eccentric characters, Subaru Kimura voiced Soya Arabashiri in Bubuki Buranki (2016) and its sequel (also aired in the same year).
Still in the same year, Kimura was cast on the drama and slice-of-life anime, 3-gatsu no Lion. He voiced the loud and, at times, aggressive shogi player, Issa Matsumoto.
He reprised his role as Ryoma Terasaka in Assassination Classroom 2nd Season.
In 2017, Subaru Kimura was back to voicing main characters. He was cast as the cunning Shoichi Kusanagi in Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS.
2018 was a year with little exposure in anime. Kimura had, indeed, a couple of roles in anime however, many of those weren’t even supporting ones.
Some of the anime he voiced characters in 2018 included: Zombie Land Saga, Devilman Crybaby, Zoids Wild, and Gaikotsu Shotenin Honda-san.
Things changed around in 2019, with Kimura being cast in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind as the intimidating Pesci.
He was cast as Yo!Hey, leading character in the kids music anime, B Rappers Street.
In the same year, he was cast as Chiguma Marume in the anime adaptation of ACTORS: Songs Connection.
Although a minor role, Kimura was cast in Kabukichou Sherlock as Masaya, flashy and quirky owner of the cabaret club “White Rose” in Kabukicho and was formerly the No. 1 host.
2020 would end up being a consistent year for Kimura.
Perhaps the biggest role of the year was his reprisal of Ichiro Yamada in the anime adaptation of the Hypnosis Mic franchise, Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle – Rhyme Anima.
He’s the brotherly type, respected and with a high sense of justice. He’s the leader of Buster Bros!!! and former member of the legendary rap crew, The Dirty Dawg.
Another role that was extremely well received in 2020 was Hoodlum in Akudama Drive.
Bold yet a bit of a coward, Hoodlum is a criminal imprisoned for theft and blackmail. His cowardness actually puts a spotlight on his kindness and loyalty towards others.
He was also cast in the popular action anime, Jujutsu Kaisen. He voices Aoi Toudou, an eccentric individual that loves to fight and the thrill that comes with it.
Still in the same year, he was cast as Hiroto Ikeuchi in the mystery and drama anime, Ikebukuro West Gate Park.
2021 kicked off with main role in the sports anime, 2.43: Seiin Koukou Danshi Volley-bu. He voices Yuusuke Ookuma, a middle blocker with a background as a rugby player.
Other anime series he’s voiced characters in include:
- Area no Kishi (2012)
- Hamatora (2014)
- Diamond no Ace: Second Season (2015)
- Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei Herz! (2015)
- Kaitou Joker (2015)
- 91 Days (2016)
- Dream Festival! (2016)
- Sekkou Boys (2016)
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2016)
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (2017)
- ACTORS: Songs Connection (2019)
- Carole & Tuesday (2019)
- RobiHachi (2019)
- Bakugan: Battle Planet (2019)
- ONE PIECE (2021)
- BEASTARS Season 2 (2021)
Awards
In 2019, at the 13th Seiyuu Awards, Subaru Kimura and the main cast of Hypnosis Mic – members of Buster Bros!!!, MAD TRIGGER CREW, Fling Posse and Matenro – received the Singing Award.
Subaru Kimura attended the ceremony alongside Show Hayami, Kouhei Amasaki, Yukihiro Nozuyama, Ryuichi Kijima and Haruki Ishiya.
Radio
Subaru Kimura doesn’t have many radio credits under his belt.
However, from the few radio shows he’s hosted or guested in, everyone can tell that he’s friendly and naturally funny, something that makes both guests and staff at ease.
His first adventure on radio was in 2008 for NHK’s FM Bokura wa minna. It would take him a couple of years until he made his return to doing radio work.
He returned to radio work in 2013 as a host for よ・み・き・か・せ (Yo mi ki ka se), radio show that, to this day, he still hosts.
In 2014, he started co-hosting Subaru Kimura x Yusuke Tonozaki “Bebop Communication” alongside fellow seiyuu, Yusuke Tonozaki. The show was on air until 2016.
2 years later, Kimura started co-hosting Subaru Kimura & Ibuki Kido Eh,-suki katte yatte mo okora renai ndesu ka!?. The radio show is still going strong at the time of writing this digest.
His first personality radio show kicked off in 2019. Subaru Kimura no Diggin’ Dope Sound airs on TOKYO FM, with Kimura sharing his love for music on it.
Games
When it comes to games, Subaru Kimura has been quite active since 2006. His first role in videogames was in Doraemon, reprising his role as Takeshi Goda.
Kimura is often chosen to voice characters in RPGs, with many of those characters having a foreign background or being foreigners.
In otome games, he’s often typecasted as the tough guy with a heart of gold, trope that has accompanied his career as a voice actor since his role in Dance with Devils.
Some of his best-known roles include:
Mage in Dance with Devils (2016 – 2018)
This was Subaru Kimura’s first otome game role to put him on the spotlight.
Mage Nanashiro is a character with a tough exterior yet with a heart of gold that turned into one of the fan favorites in the franchise.
This role would open up the doors for Kimura to be voicing more characters in otome-centric videogames. He reprised his role in the 2nd game in the franchise, Dance with Devils My Carol.
Toma Inumaru in IDOLiSH7 (2017 -)
For those playing IDOLiSH7, unveiling the game’s rival unit came off as a surprise. ZOOL made its debut in 2017 in what is considered the best chapter in the game’s story.
Subaru Kimura was cast as ZOOL‘s leader, Toma Inumaru.
A former rocker and passionate about music and having bonds with his fellow group members, Toma finds himself in a bind within ZOOL, with every member initially playing a part in their own interests and their ultimate objective of overthrowing TRIGGER from the top.
However, at heart, Toma never showed to be the type to be intimidating and unapproachable as the whole group’s vibe was. On several occasions – within the game’s story – he was shown to have a big heart, being unable to turn away from helping others, even if that means, members of rival groups.
As the story progresses, Toma’s leadership is more the real thing, with the unit having a sense of belonging, working together to achieve their own dreams in the music industry.
Kimura’s performance as Toma stands out for how genuine the character sounds at all times.
The little hesitations, the dilemmas he has to deal with, the contrived drama that puts him the group’s agency on a bad spotlight, overcoming the differences between members.
While playing the game, you’ll get a sense that, not only is Toma Inumaru really well written, but Subaru Kimura perfectly fleshed out the character to be relatable, even when on the wrong side of the story.
Ichiro Yamada in Hypnosis Mic – Alternative Rap Battle – (2020)
Kimura reprised his role as Buster Bros!!!‘s Ichiro Yamada in the smartphone game, Hypnosis Mic – Alternative Rap Battle –.
Ichiro is known for his strong sense of justice and inability to ignore those in need. He’s quite the compassionate person and an anime and light novel nerd at his core.
The game features a short introductory story for each crew, with Ichiro’s love for his brothers and passion for hip-hop being highlighted in all story parts.
Other games he’s voice characters in include:
- The World Ends with You (2007)
- Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (2012)
- Tsukiei Gakuen -kou- (2015)
- Granblue Fantasy (2015)
- Icchibanketsu (2016)
- Captain Tsubasa: Dream Team (2017)
- Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (2017)
- Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey (2017)
- Demimen (2018)
- WarioWare Gold (2018)
- Starry Palette (2019)
- Kingdom Hearts III (2019)
- THE KING OF FIGHTERS for GIRLS (2019)
- Borderlands 3 (2019)
- Kick-Flight (2020)
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2020)
- Disney: Twisted-Wonderland (2020)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)
- Helios Rising Heroes (2020)
- Shadowverse (2020)
Acting
Considered by many as a prodigy stage actor, Subaru Kimura made his stage debut when he was only 12 years old.
He got a role in the renowned musical Annie due to his tap-dancing skills. From then on, Kimura would end up spreading his wings in stage acting – branching out to musicals and reading plays – in the following years.
He was then cast in the musical HONK!! (2006 – 2010).
He would end up embracing stage acting and founding his own theatre troupe – Tensai Gekidan Bakabakka – in 2009, after Tomokazu Seki – Gekidan Hero Hero Q Company – refused to accept Kimura in his own troupe.
Seki playfully said that if Kimura wanted to do theatre, he should found his company. Although that was meant to discourage Kimura from doing theatre – it is a job that doesn’t pay well, even in Japan -, Kimura surprised him by doing exactly what he had suggested: he created his own theatre troupe.
Since 2009, Kimura has created and participated in several stage plays and musicals with his own theatre troupe.
Aside from the work developed by his own troupe, Kimura was cast in the musical Space Comedy Musical Space Diamond as well as in the opera Magic Flute.
In 2016, Kimura was cast in the stage musical of Dance with Devils. He didn’t reprise his role as Mage and, instead, voiced a new character, Holand.
Other stage plays and or musicals he’s been cast in include: 40% (2009), Sense of Wonder (2012), Family Wars (2012), The Land of Rainbows (2013), POLYMPIC TOKYO! (2014) and Good Morning, Ice Person (2014).
Narration / Dubbing
Subaru Kimura is extremely active when it comes to dubbing foreign movies and TV series.
He’s the official Japanese voice for Taron Egerton, having dubbed movies such as Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Rocketman, Robin Hood and Testament of Youth.
His repertoire includes roles in Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, Empire, The Greatest Showman, The Handmaid’s Tale, Mulan, Bad Boys for Life, Soul, Trolls World Tour, The Book of Life and more.
When it comes to narration, he’s done work for NHK’s 2013 program German on TV (NHK テレビでドイツ語) in which his father Josua Bartsch was a German language instructor. Other TV channels he’s done narration work for include TBS and MONDO TV.
Drama CDs
Subaru Kimura hasn’t been too active when it comes to drama CDs.
He reprised his role as Mage Nanashiro in the Dance with Devils franchise for its 3 drama CDs: Dance With Devils ~Eversweet~ Vol 5 Mage Nanashiro, Dance With Devils ~Charming Book~ Vol 5 Mage Nanashiro and Dance With Devils ~Twin Lead~ Vol 2 Urie VS Mage.
In 2017, Subaru Kimura was cast in Hypnosis Mic and, since then, he’s been participating in drama parts on some of the franchise’s CDs.
Other drama CDs include ACTORS – Drama Edition – WEST and Kamen no Uragawa 〜 Underbar boshi no Kokuou 〜.
Music
Subaru Kimura has been pretty active in music projects since the last decade. His first endeavors in the music industry as a voice actor were in 2006, with a character song performed for the Doraemon anime.
In 2013, fans would get to listen to him singing aside from the Doraemon franchise, with a character song in CØDE:BREAKER.
In 2014 he joined EXIT TUNES PRESENTS ACTORS and since then he’s been lending his talents on the vocal end to this franchise.
Despite what most fans may think, Kimura hasn’t been part of many 2D groups. He’s best known as the leader of ŹOOĻ and Buster Bros!!!, 2 contrasting groups and both really popular in Japan.
On a solo capacity, Subaru Kimura has never made any releases.
The closest his fans can get to Kimura in a natural, comfortable environment in which he can let his creativity run free is with his rap duo, Shogen and Subaru.
Shogen and Subaru (2019 -)
Shogen and Subaru (掌幻と昴), is a rap duo consisting of Shogen and seiyuu/stage actor and rapper, Subaru Kimura.
Since their debut in 2019, the duo released 2 digital singles, NEW CHAPTER and HOT SUMMER.
PENTACLE★ (2015 -)
Created with the main cast of Dance With Devils, Soma Saito, Wataru Hatano, Subaru Kimura, Kondo Takashi and Daisuke Hirakawa – and Tatsuhisa Suzuki -, PENTACLE★ released several singles featured in the anime series as well as the games.
So far the unit has released the singles “Mademo★iselle“ (2015), “覚醒のAir starring PENTACLE★” (2015), “BL(U)CK BASIS” (2016) and “光れCAROL“ (2018).
BUSTER BROS!!! (2017 -)
Known for their free and groovy rap style, Buster Bros!!! are a beloved crew within the Hypnosis Mic franchise.
With the cast including Subaru Kimura (as Ichiro), Haruki Ishiya (as Jiro) and Kouhei Amasaki (as Saburo), Buster Bros!!! have a fun take on rap, with 3 completely different vibes converging to creating their unique, bouncy hip-hop.
The voice actors themselves have grown to be like a family, with Ishiya and Amasaki learning rapping skills from Kimura, something that has vastly helped the crew improve their delivery for each new song that they present their fans with.
The crew made their debut in 2017 with the release of the imposing single, Buster Bros!!! Generation.
Buster Bros!!! were overflowing with energy for their debut release.
The CD kicked off with Ichiro Yamada‘s “Ore ga Ichiro“, song that made quite an impact upon release for its powerful, old-school hip-hop sound and fiery rhymes.
The rest of the release counted with rap-rock by Jiro and an orchestral take on hip-hop by Saburo.
After the release of the introductory singles for each crew, Hypnosis Mic kicked off their 1st Battle Season series.
MAD TRIGGER CREW faced Buster Bros!!! in the first round in Buster Bros!!! VS MAD TRIGGER CREW.
The mini-album was a huge success much thanks to the voting system for the whole Battle Season that only made it possible to vote if you purchased the CD in physical or digital format.
Buster Bros!!! VS MAD TRIGGER CREW was certified Gold by RIAJ in 2018.
Buster Bros!!! ended up losing their battle against MAD TRIGGER CREW but it was still a tight one, only decided in the last days of voting.
In 2019, the crew released the playful おはようイケブクロ (Ohayou Ikebukuro), featured in the compilation album, Enter the Hypnosis Microphone.
The crew returned in 2020 with the release of Buster Bros!!! Before The 2nd D.R.B, critically acclaimed album that brought plenty of cool, groovy songs exuding a freedom and fun that is unique to this crew.
Kimura performed Break the wall, a funky hip-hop song with a really cool and entertaining vibe.
On a live setting, Buster Bros!!! showcase an impressive chemistry and coordination, with no one being left behind or outshining others. In that sense, Buster Bros!!! are as good live as Fling Posse are.
With Subaru Kimura leading the way, the live Buster Bros!!!, are a force to be reckoned with.
Their chemistry stands out, with members covering for each other with a pretty seamless way and rhymes flowing like it is second nature to all members.
Subaru Kimura is quite the charismatic performer, overflowing with energy and never missing a beat.
His energy ends up rubbing off on Haruki Ishiya and Kouhei Amasaki and, as a result, the crew is lively and intense on stage.
So far the crew has performed live 6 times, although in different contexts.
The first franchise release on Blu-ray and DVD is Hypnosis mic- Division Rap Battle – 4th LIVE @ Osaka, massive live held in 2019 that counted with Buster Bros!!!, MAD TRIGGER CREW, Fling Posse, Matenro and the, then recently announced, Dotsuitare Honpo and Bad Ass Temple.
In 2020, and due to issues with Coronavirus (COVID-19), Hypnosis Mic’s ambitious MetLife Dome live, SIX SHOTS TO THE DOME was cancelled.
Instead, all crews performed on 29/03/2020 on a special broadcast by AbemaTV, Hypnosis mic- Division Rap Battle – 5th LIVE @ AbemaTV – SIX SHOTS UNTIL THE DOME that counted with millions of live views.
In January 2021, the Hypnosis Mic kicked off its 6th live “2nd D.R.B”, with the first battle counting with Dotsuitare Hompo vs Buster Bros!!!.
Division All Stars (2017 – )
Division All Stars‘ original lineup consisted on Buster Bros!!!, MAD TRIGGER CREW, Fling Posse and Matenro. In 2019, with the addition of Dotsuitare Honpo and Bad Ass Temple to the franchise, the group now houses all groups.
Their first release was Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- in 2017. This was the explosive start even before anyone knew how each crew would end up sounding.
The song was an instant hit and brought a massive following from overseas into the project.
In 2018, Division All Stars returned with the electrifying Hypnosis Mic Division Battle Anthem. The success it met was even more than on their debut song.
Now that the project was popular, it was a matter of a couple of days until it hit 1 million views.
In 2019, Hypnosis Mic released its first compilation album. Enter the Hypnosis Microphone featured all of Division All Stars‘ songs plus a new ensemble track, Hoodstar.
The release also included new songs for each group including the legendary The Dirty Dawg – from which Kimura’s character, Ichiro, was a part of.
The song was quickly followed by Hypnosis Mic – Alternative Rap Battle-, song featured as the theme song for the smartphone game, Hypnosis Mic -Alternative Rap Battle-.
Still in the same year, Division All Stars returned with a new take on their debut song, Hypnosis Mic Division Battle Anthem.
After the franchise introduced 2 new units to the franchise, Dotsuitare Honpo and Bad Ass Temple, the classic track got a revamp, thus Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle-+ was released.
In 2020, Division All Stars made their comeback and once again revamping one of their hit songs. Hypnosis Mic -Division Battle Anthem- was revamped, adding Dotsuitare Honpo and Bad Ass Temple into the mix, creating Hypnosis Mic -Division Battle Anthem-＋.
And in 2020, Division All Stars released the fan favorite, and up until July of the same year, ingame exclusive, Survival of the Illest.
ŹOOĻ (2017 – )
In 2017, Subaru Kimura joined the IDOLiSH7 franchise.
He was announced as part of ŹOOĻ, urban pop/industrial group that shook the franchise when it was first introduced in the in-game story and made a lot of jaw drops when their first single, Poisonous Gangster was released in the same year.
Being the leader of a 2D group proved to be a first for Subaru Kimura however, he quickly took over and showed his leadership both on record as well as on a live setting.
In the group’s 1st single, Poisonous Gangster, he was one of the highlights with his fierce rap and singing skills.
However the single was known for not having equal lines distribution, with Yuya Hirose and Subaru Kimura leading the way whilst Koutaro Nishiyama and Takashi Kondo were in the background vocals and only in the chorus.
Things changed when the group got to perform live for the very first time at IDOLISH7 2nd live REUNION in 2019.
In an explosive set that included the Poisonous Gangster, Look at… and ZONE OF OVERLAP, fans were in awe at the teamwork, vocal prowess, explosive dance moves, and the dangerous aura the group exuded.
On IDOLISH7 2nd live REUNION, Kimura impressed with his powerful rap and intimidating aura, as well as dancing and singing, all while impressively leading the group.
2020 welcomed the group’s 2nd single, Bang!Bang!Bang!.
The single included the highly anticipated ZONE OF OVERLAP and the unique title track.
In Summer 2020, the group released their 1st full-length album, einsatZ.
The album featured re-recorded versions of “Poisonous Gangster” and “Look at…” – with Koutaro Nishiyama and Takashi Kondo joining the Yuya Hirose + Subaru Kimura duo – as well as new songs.
The group changed their sound drastically, completely putting behind them their unique rap-rock sound and embracing generic J-pop and K-Pop to have an edgier and trendier vibe.
einsatZ was a pretty ambitious 1st album for ŹOOĻ that has a clear, distinct sound from all other units in the IDOLiSH7 franchise but has yet to define their own “trademark” sound.
The shift to K-pop didn’t sound that good but there were a couple of new songs – 4 ROAR and Ache – that stood out and showcased the talents on the vocal end that this group has.
stirRhythm (2018)
stirRhythm was the main unit in Starry Palette, mixed media project developed by DMM GAMES.
The project was announced early in 2017 but due to technical issues production was halted, only to be, months later, announced that production had resumed and the project was still alive.
Starry Palette planed to have music releases, a smartphone game, live performances, radio show (Toshiki Masuda and Yuto Suzuki are the hosts), manga, novels, among other things before distribution ended in 2019 and the whole project never got to see the light of day.
stirRhythm consisted on Toshiki Masuda, Yuto Suzuki, Junya Enoki, Shouta Aoi, Keisuke Komoto, Subaru Kimura, Sho Kiriake, Ihara Shin, Yuki Ono.
The group had 15 in-game songs, with some of those having been previously released as bonus content for Dengeki Girls among other otome magazines in Japan.
Photobooks
In 2020, Subaru Kimura released his first photobook, SUBA ROOTS.
The photobook revisits Kimura’s roots – his family back in Germany, his friends, fellow seiyuu Tomokazu Seki (his boss as well as one of his mentors), Tensai Gekidan BAKABAKA’s (Kimura’s theater troupe) members and more.
The photobook includes as well interviews as well as an original set of photos taken in both Germany and Japan.
SUBA ROOTS included as well an EP with music and rap by Kimura.
Variety
It is well known among Kimura’s fans that he’s quite quirky and filled with energy.
He’s not afraid of “ruining” his image with crazy antics, hilarious reactions and, to top it all off, he’s known to be loud and always tells the viewers or the crowd to remember his name and face.
He’s a bundle of energy and fun in every event or variety show he’s invited to or hosts.
Kimura doesn’t have many variety or event participations but the few that are documented on DVD/BD or were officially distributed online show how friendly and how awesome of a host and guest he is.
Below are some of the variety shows or events he’s attended.
Akuma Night Party from Dance with Devils (2015)
In 2015, Subaru Kimura made his first appearance in a promotional event for an anime series, アクマの夜会 from Dance with Devils (Akuma Night Party from Dance with Devils).
He guested alongside Takashi Kondo and Daisuke Hirakawa on this event. The hosts were Wataru Hatano and Soma Saito.
A couple of months later and still in the same year, Kimura participated in another episode of Akuma Night Party from Dance with Devils.
Rejet Fes 2016
Inn 2016, Subaru Kimura attended on Rejet Fes 2016 alongside part of the cast of Dance with Devils – Wataru Hatano, Soma Saito and Yuto Suzuki – and participated on a live skit as well as variety corners.
He kicked off the event making a solid introduction to Mage Nanashiro but, in a rather clumsy yet endearing way, he forgot to introduce himself to the public.
After being teased about it by Toshiyuki Toyonaga (one of the MCs for the event) and Wataru Hatano, Kimura followed with what has turned into his trademark “Please remember this name and face” introduction, much to the public and fellow seiyuu’s amusement.
Saito Soma no Wagokoro wo Kimi ni (2017 -)
In 2017, Subaru Kimura guested on Soma Saito’s healing variety show, Somakimi.
The pair showcased their friendship – even going on about when they first met and how much they respect each other – in the scenic Asakusa in Tokyo.
Haruki Ishiya’s “Koharu Biyori” (2018)
In 2018, Subaru Kimura guested on Haruki Ishiya‘s variety show, Koharu Biyori.
In this episode, the duo talked about their first impressions of each other, work they’ve been casted together (i.e. Buster Bros!!!) as well as long talk about music and their appreciation for Coca-Cola.
Kaji100 (2018)
In 2018, Subaru Kimura guested, alongside Shoya Ishige, on Yuki Kaji’s long running variety show, Kaji100.
The focus of this episode was on DYI and crafting.
Seiyuu to You Asobi (2019 -)
Since 2019, Subaru Kimura has been co-hosting one of the days in Seiyuu to You Asobi with fellow seiyuu Tomoko Kaneda.
Seiyuu to yo Asobi is a variety show created and distributed by AbemaTV. It airs on week days with pairs of seiyuu assigned to each day, each pair of co-hosts following their own unique themes and formats.
This is primarily a talk show that may or may not include special guests. There are challenges and funny corners as well as quiet sections with seiyuu just hanging out in a pretty laidback way.
The pair started by co-hosting the Fridays during the 2nd season and, for the 3rd season, they started to hold a special daily feature within Seiyuu to yo Asobi – Seiyuu to yo Asobi コネクト (Connect).
Oha Sta (2019 -)
Kimura started as a regular on Oha Sta, kids’ morning show that was hosted by Natsuki Hanae.
In 2020, Hanae announced his graduation from the TV show, handing the host job to Subaru Kimura.
Kimusuba (2020)
Although Subaru Kimura has not opened his own YouTube channel, he has been using the official Tensai Gekidan Bakabakka youtube channel for his “youtuber style” talk videos, Kimusuba.
Kimusuba Channel [ON] and Kimusuba Channel [OFF] (2020 -)
In 2020, and after the success of his Kimusuba videos on Tensai Gekidan Bakabakka’s YouTube channel, Subaru Kimura kicked off 2 personal YouTube channels: Kimusuba Channel [ON] and Kimusuba Channel [OFF].
In the ON channel, Kimura is his intense, variety natural self. In the OFF version you get a behind the scenes look at his life and work.
Both channels kicked off in September 2020 and already count with plenty of content for his fans to enjoy.
Facts
Hip-Hop head
Subaru Kimura comes from a classical trained family, with his father being a former acclaimed opera singer and his mother being a solo artist.
However, in the late 90s, his mother bought him a compilation album including various hip-hop hits and Kimura fell in love with the genre and culture.
Kimura has mentioned in some interviews that Eminem was crucial for him to be fascinated with hip-hop and wanting to try it out.
His highschool days were spent participating in freestyle rap battles.
When he debuted as a seiyuu, and due to the dark image that hip-hop had in Japan, he used to perform in underground clubs, trying to conceal the fact that he was a rapper from his fans.
Thanks to Hypnosis Mic, that made him the face of the project, Subaru Kimura was allowed to spread his wings and show his fans, and everyone else, how passionate about hip-hop and how talented he is as a rapper.
In 2017, Subaru Kimura wrote, under a moniker, the lyrics to Ichiro Yamada’s “Ore ga Ichiro”.
“Sacrificing” his image for entertainment
It is well known that Subaru Kimura loves to entertaining both his fans as well as fellow seiyuu.
He is often found pulling off goofy faces, even during those moments in which he should go for a charismatic pose or catchphrase.
For example, during Dance with Devils live event in 2016, while performing as part of PENTACLE★, everyone wrapped up the song with a cool pose, Kimura however, without knowing what to do… improvised.
The result can be seen in the photo above.
Weird poses, funny faces, entertaining shenanigans, you can expect all of these and more from Subaru Kimura.
Contrary to the usual care that most seiyuu have for their image – be it natural or just a fake persona (it is not uncommon) -, Subaru Kimura is a breath of fresh air, bringing the fun to everyone.
He is enjoying himself and makes everyone around him smile as a result.
Fashion designer
In 2020, Subaru Kimura was announced as the 1st collaboration designer for the Japanese apparel brand, FAVALOC.
For them, Kimura has designed sunglasses, t-shirts and tank tops, as well as modeled those.
Amateur Rakugoka
Passionate about stage acting and always willing to learn about different acting styles, Subaru Kimura started to learn Rakugo.
Rakugo is a form of Japanese verbal entertainment.
The lone storyteller (rakugoka) sits on a raised platform using only a paper fan and a small cloth as props, and without standing up from the seiza sitting position, the rakugoka depicts a long and complicated comical (or sometimes sentimental) story.
Rakugo works both as a monologue or a dialogue between 2 or more characters. To tell the characters apart, the rakugoka changes his pitch, tone or does a slight turn of the head.
This is a difficult art to master and he is currently learning from Tomokazu Seki and various famous rakugokas how to grasp, get comfortable and master rakugo.
My mentor
Subaru Kimura has mentioned quite a few times, with the most recently mention being on his photobook, SUBA ROOTS, that Tomokazu Seki is his mentor.
When Kimura was about to graduate from high school, he became interested in stage plays, hoping to be invited by Hero Hero Q Company, theatre company founded by Tomokazu Seki.
He said “I want to think about theatrical performances 365 days a year“. At the same time, Kimura was also passionate about voice acting.
For context: Kimura and Seki had been working together in the reboot of Doraemon and Kimura was sure he’d accept him in his theatre troupe.
Seki taught much of what he knows about voice acting, thus the massive admiration Kimura has towards him.
Approached by Kimura, Seki said that if wanted to pursue stage acting he should create his own theatre troupe. Young Kimura did just that, surprising Seki that was only saying that to see if Kimura would give up or not.
Kimura ended up founding Tensai Gekidan Bakabakka in 2009 and, years later collaborated with Hero Hero Q Company, not to mentioned joined Atomic Monkey – talent agency chaired by Tomokazu Seki.
An emotional pass on the torch
In 2005, Subaru Kimura was casted as Takeshi Goda in the Doraemon anime remake.
The original voice of Goda, the late Kazuya Tatekabe mentioned at that time that he wanted to have a drink with the voice actor to whom he would pass the torch however, Kimura was still a junior high school student thus, that couldn’t happen until Kimura was 20 years old.
In 2014, Kimura joined Tatekabe for that long awaited drink. That was an emotional day, one that Kimura will never forget as it was their 1st and last opportunity together. Less than a year after sharing drinks to pass the torch of voicing Takeshi Goda, Tatekabe died of old age.
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.
