Tokyo Revengers voice actor Yuu Hayashi has revealed how his approach to portraying Mikey Sano has evolved over the course of the anime. Although Mikey shifts between a playful, childish personality, a charismatic gang leader, and a dangerous darker side, Hayashi says he no longer tries to deliberately change his voice to distinguish these traits. Instead, he lets them emerge naturally through his emotional performance.
In an interview with Anime News Network, published on October 7, 2026, Hayashi discussed his experience playing Mikey alongside Yūki Shin, who voices Takemichi Hanagaki, and Masaya Fukunishi, who voices Draken. Their conversation explored how years of performing these characters have influenced their interpretations of the series’ central figures.
YUU HAYASHI EXPLAINS HOW MIKEY’S THREE PERSONALITIES EMERGE NATURALLY
Hayashi described Mikey as a character with three distinct sides: his childish nature, his charisma as a leader, and the darkness that makes him increasingly unpredictable. Initially, the actor thought he needed to alter his voice for each aspect of Mikey’s personality. However, that approach changed as he became more familiar with the character.
“Since he has so many sides, at first I thought I would, you know, change up my voice for each side,”
Hayashi explained. He added that these qualities now emerge when he becomes emotionally invested in a scene, allowing his performance to capture Mikey’s different personalities without forcing the transitions.
Hayashi also made a bold declaration about his connection to the role, saying,
“I am absolutely the only one who can play Mikey. I am Mikey.”
Shin playfully challenged that statement with a brief,
“Hmm, that’s not quite right…”,
adding a humorous moment to the discussion.
Hayashi also explained that his experience voicing many different characters since childhood helped shape his portrayal of Mikey. Rather than treating each side as a separate performance, he draws on the emotions and techniques he has developed throughout his career.
MIKEY’S KIND NATURE MAKES HIS DARK SIDE HARDER TO UNDERSTAND
For Hayashi, the challenge is not finding a perfect balance between Mikey’s playful and dangerous traits. He believes each side should be expressed fully, even when the contrast makes the character difficult to understand.
“I don’t think you can balance those things. It’s not supposed to balance out,”
he said. Hayashi explained that Mikey should be as childish as possible in playful moments, while his darker scenes need to retain their own intensity.
He also believes Mikey’s hidden vulnerability helps explain his appeal. Despite his reputation as an exceptionally powerful fighter, Mikey struggles to reveal his weaknesses to others. That contrast between outward strength and inner vulnerability makes his darker transformation more complicated than a simple shift from good to evil.
TAKEMICHI AND DRAKEN’S VOICE ACTORS DISCUSS THEIR GROWTH
The interview also touched on how the other main characters have changed. Yūki Shin said Takemichi’s growth is primarily psychological rather than physical. Although the protagonist has spent much of his life running away from difficult situations, Shin believes his determination to change is what makes audiences root for him.
“He’s spent 26 years running away from things,”
Shin explained, adding that Takemichi’s ability to change and his refusal to give up are central to his appeal.
Masaya Fukunishi, meanwhile, reflected on Draken’s energetic personality and maturity. He explained that Draken understands the importance of enduring friendships and has learned to show his relaxed, composed side more naturally as he has spent more time playing the character.
The interview was published by Anime News Network and republished by Waifora. Hayashi’s comments stand out for revealing how his performance has evolved alongside Mikey, allowing the character’s contrasting personalities to emerge through emotion rather than deliberate voice changes.
