Every year, Japan's Seiyu Awards recognize voice actors whose talent and recent roles have made them stand-outs in their field. The event kicks off with four special awards announced in advance, and this year's merit awards honor four seiyu whose careers include iconic anime series as well as work outside the medium.

The four awards were announced today on the ceremony's website. The Merit Award goes to one male and one female seiyu in honor of careers spanning many years of iconic works, including foreign productions. This year's Merit Awards go to Minoru Yada, who has appeared in Tetsujin-28 (Dr. Shikishima), Anpanman (Baikinsennin), and many other series, as well as dubbing Charles Aznavour and Warren Oates:

And Makoto Kousaka, whose roles include Hiromi Oka in Aim for the Ace!, Mari Sakurano in Brave Reideen, and O-Jiro in Shin Obake no Q-Taro:

Two more awards go to voice actors who have been active in multiple fields. The Kei Tomiyama Award is name for the actor who lent his voice to anime heroes like Tiger Mask, Yang Wen-Li, and Duke Fleed, as well as American characters from Bugs Bunny to Dark Helmet. This year's award goes to Yu Mizushima. Mizushima appeard as Toshio in Magical Angel Creamy Mami and Takeru/Mars in God Mars, and has dubbed Sammo Hung and Mark Hamill.

The Kazue Takahashi Award is named for the actress whose roles range from Shoutarou in Tetsujin-28 to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. This year's recipient is Rica Fukami, most famous for her role as Sailor Venus in the original Sailor Moon anime adaptation. Fukami has also appeared as Fran in Final Fantasy XII and Myung Fang Lone in Macross Plus, and dubs Julia Roberts, Ashley Judd, and Sandra Bullock.

The full ceremony will take place March 7 at Bunka Hoso Media Plus Hall. Awards distributed will include Best Actor/Actress, Best Newcomers, Best Singer, and others. The Special Achievement Award will instead be a recognition of all voice actors who passed away over the last year. New categories awarded starting last year include the Game Award, Influencer Award, Foreign Movie/Series, and Most Valuable Seiyu.

>> 14th Annual Seiyu Awards Website



