Featured Artist Spotlight: Daisuke Ono (小野 大輔)
By Skywing Knights // January 11, 2020
Hello all!
Have a bit of a late Featured Artist for the month of December. But you can’t blame me! You know how busy the holidays get! But I am excited about this one because today, we’re diving back into the world of talented Seiyu (声優 ), or Japanese Voice Actors, to spotlight Daisuke Ono (小野 大輔), or OnoD, as he’s known by fans. Originally from Kochi, Japan, Ono moved to Tokyo to attend Nihon University’s College of Art. During that time, he hoped initially to become a news anchor. However, he switched to a focus in the performing arts and are we all not so glad that he did!
Beginning with many smaller roles beginning in 2001, Ono got his “breakthrough” when he landed the role of Itsuki Koizumi in “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” in 2006, however, it wasn’t until 2008, in which Daisuke Ono landed the coveted role of Sebastian Michaelis in “Black Butler” (黒執事), that he rose to super fame and became one of what some may call “Seiyu Royalty”. As a result, the role landed him in first “Best Voice Actor” award at the 4th Seiyu Awards.
The success eventually led him to other notable roles such as Shizuo Heiwajima of “Durarara!!” (デュラララ!!) in 2010 and Erwin Smith of “Attack on Titan” (進撃の巨人) in 2013 among many others such as:
- Itsuki Koizumi – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
- Mabashi, Shukuro Tsukishima – Bleach
- Jin Kamishina – Dragonaut
- Sebastian Michaelis – Black Butler
- Hyuga – Neo Angelique Abyss
- Hikaru Asahina – Library War
- Jack Vessalius – Pandora Hearts
- Shizuo Heiwajima – Durarara!!
- Arthur Auguste Angel – Ao no Exorcist
- Kou Ichijou – Persona 4
- Jun Sato – Working!!
- Sinbad – Magi
- Shintaro Midorima – Kuroko’s Basketball
- Kazuya Tokugawa – The Prince of Tennis II
- Erwin Smith – Attack on Titan
- Subaru – Brothers Conflict
- Hirato – Karneval
- Sumeragi Kira (HE★VENS) – Uta no Prince Sama
- Jotaro Kujo – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
- Daikoku – Noragami
- Norito Goshi – Seraph of the End
- Kuroh Yatogami – K: Return of Kings
- Yumikage Tsukimitsu – Servamp
- Soji Okita – Touken Ranbu
- Kogoro Akechi – Trickster
- Willaim Vangeance – Black Clover
- Drole – The Seven Deadly Sins
Moreover, this is just the beginning of the list! As one may have noticed, Ono has a curious way of going from having a rather velvety voice to a rough one in seconds. This flexibility has a way of snaring Ono many roles. These roles are from numerous mediums such as anime, video games, live action dubbing, radio, and drama CDs. In 2008, he also began producing his own music as well. Check out some of his work below!
***Some of the following contains Massive Spoilers and some more Adult Themes.***
Shizuo Heiwajima from “Durarara!!”
Focus on the blonde. 😉
Sebastian Michaelis from “Black Butler: Book of Circus”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EurR8ziA4ZU
Erwin Smith from “Attack on Titan”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZUD1j22cy0
Ono’s Single “Monochrono Niji”
In addition, for more of Ono’s work, be sure to check out his websites below!
Official Websites:
Homepage: http://daisukeono.com/
Music Homepage: http://lantis.jp/artist/onodaisuke/
One key feature in my mind that makes Daisuke Ono stand out as an artist is his flexibility. Though he has a lower pitch and tone, more often than not the way he uses that pitch with the way he says things to convey meaning makes all the difference. This happens especially when he is embodying various different characters with his voice acting.
As a result, he can be a rowdy street fighter one moment. Then he can be a refined butler the next. Moreover, this flexibility as an artist is a clear factor in Ono’s success. In conclusion, it continues to be one of the reasons he remains as one of the top Seiyu in Japan and around the world.
Therefore, when you find yourself in a rut with your art, next time ask if the method in which you’re using your tools is the same. May it’s worth switching it up. In the same vein of Daisuke Ono and his methods, sometimes being flexible is what leads us to our breakthroughs. And sometimes, it leads to our best works. Till next time all!
~Skywing
