Demon Slayer Voice Actor Takes Hiatus Over Hearing Impairment

Daisuke Hirakawa, the voice actor of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, revealed that he will temporarily step away from his duties due to a sudden bout of hearing loss. In an announcement made through X, Hirakawa explained that the condition arose unexpectedly a few days ago. Following his doctor's advice, he has decided to undergo in-patient treatment and will be on leave until further notice.

Daisuke Hirakawa's Anime Voice Acting Career

For more than 25 years, Hirakawa has established himself as a prominent voice actor primarily in the realm of anime. Notable characters he has portrayed include Laito Sakamaki in Diabolik Lovers and Enmu, the main antagonist, in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train. The latter film achieved remarkable success in 2020, emerging as the highest grossing film worldwide and the most profitable anime and Japanese movie in history. Hirakawa's portrayal of a leading role in this movie expanded his influence as a freelance voice actor. Additionally, he has upcoming projects such as Demon Lord Leons in The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy, Mikaros in Helck, and Ran Di Rhodes Stein Neubauten in BASTARD!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy-: Hell's Requiem.

Hirakawa expressed his apologies to fans and colleagues for his sudden departure and inability to attend an upcoming fan event for the Japanese comedy video series Super Stylish Doctors Story in his statement. The official Twitter account of the series announced that Toshihiko Seki, another voice actor from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba who plays the central antagonist Muzan Kibutsuji, will be taking Hirakawa's place at the event. The event is scheduled for Oct. 29, and no further changes are expected.

Since his initial announcement, Hirakawa has released several follow-up statements on X, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the support he has received on social media and reassuring fans that his hospital treatment will not be prolonged. His most recent statement mentioned his plans to resume making public appearances in November and December, highlighting his dedication to recovering while working hard in the hospital.

There have been no additional event cancelations or production delays related to Hirakawa's condition. For updates on his health, fans can refer to Hirakawa's official X account. His voice acting in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train is available on Hulu, Netflix, and Crunchyroll.