One of the VAs in The Kingdoms of Ruin was arrested recently. In response to this, The Kingdoms of Ruin not only replaced Oz's VA, but the anime will also release a new version of Episode 3.
Oz VA Junya Ikeda has been replaced in this role following his arrest by Japanese authorities. While other anime voice actors getting embroiled in scandals has happened before, Ikeda’s arrest is a more severe case.
Junya Ikeda Replaced in The Kingdoms of Ruin Following Arrest
Junya Ikeda is a Japanese actor who is best known as Gai Ikari/Gokai Silver in Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. He’s mainly a live-action actor, though he has voiced several anime characters over the years.
Aside from his role in The Kingdoms of Ruin as Oz, Ikeda also voiced Millions Knives in studio Orange’s Trigun Stampede, as well as Joe Kido in Digimon Adventure.
A few weeks ago, Ikeda was arrested by authorities due to special fraud. This was confirmed by his talent agency, BaRU. Following the arrest, BaRU issued a statement and proceeded to cancel his contract.
Based on a report by NHK, Ikeda is the prime suspect in a fraud case. He was said to have posed as a police officer and proceeded to defraud a man of his cash card in Koto Ward, Tokyo.
Because of this case, Ikeda has been replaced in The Kingdoms of Ruin. Aside from his role as Oz, Ikeda does not have any other voice-acting roles in another ongoing anime.
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The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 3 Is Getting a New Version
Recently, The Kingdoms of Ruin anime shared a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. There, it was revealed that Anri Katsu is the new voice of Oz.
Katsu is a Japanese VA who is best known for voicing Nile Dok in Attack on Titan, Arugo in Guilty Crown, and Hideki Tama in Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0.
The statement also revealed that the anime’s third episode will be released with a new version.
Presumably, the previous version featuring Ikeda that’s available on streaming platforms will be changed to the updated one with Katsu as Oz’s voice.
Despite the change in VA and the upcoming Episode 3 update, The Kingdoms of Ruin’s current schedule and Blu-ray volume release will be unaffected.
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