Kappei Yamaguchi Birthday Poll Crowns Shinichi Kudo Top Role
The annual poll shows a shift in fan sentiment as Shinichi Kudo overtakes Kaito Kid for the top spot, while a Pretty Cure character breaks into the top 10 for the first time.
Reporting from 1 sources: Nijimen.
Nijimen published a reader poll ranking Kappei Yamaguchi's most iconic roles for his birthday. Shinichi Kudo from Detective Conan took first place with 166 votes, swapping positions with last year's winner Kaito Kuroba. Flappy from Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star entered the top 10 at ninth place.
Nijimen asked readers to vote on their favorite Kappei Yamaguchi character ahead of the voice actor's birthday on May 23. The 2026 edition of the poll saw 166 votes push Shinichi Kudo past last year's winner Kaito Kuroba, who received 149 votes. Ranma Saotome held steady at third place with 124 votes. The only new entry in the top 10 was Flappy from Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star, which rose from 12th to 9th place with 62 votes.
- Shinichi Kudo (Detective Conan): 1st place, 166 votes
- Kaito Kuroba / Kaito Kid (Magic Kaito): 2nd place, 149 votes
- Ranma Saotome (Ranma 1/2): 3rd place, 124 votes
- Tombo (Kiki's Delivery Service): 4th place, 116 votes
- Usopp (One Piece): 5th place, 110 votes
- Inuyasha (Inuyasha): 6th place, 101 votes
- L (Death Note): 7th place, 87 votes
- Garizo (Hanakappa): 8th place, 76 votes
- Flappy (Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star): 9th place, 62 votes
- Sabato Rokudo / President (Kyoukai no Rinne): 10th place, 60 votes
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.