Akira Asai, the calm and perceptive childhood friend of Ko Yamori in Call of the Night, is voiced by Yumiri Hanamori in the Japanese version and Natalie Rial in the English dub. Hanamori’s performance emphasizes Akira’s grounded personality and emotional intelligence, providing a strong contrast to the series’ nocturnal chaos.
Japanese Voice Actor: Yumiri Hanamori
Date of Birth
September 29, 1997
About Yumiri
Yumiri Hanamori is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with m&i. She is known for her soft yet expressive voice, often cast in roles that balance gentleness with quiet strength. Her portrayal of Akira Asai stands out for its natural, understated delivery, capturing the character’s maturity and subtle emotional depth.
Hanamori rose to prominence at a young age and has since built a reputation for nuanced performances across a wide range of genres, from slice-of-life to fantasy and drama.
Hometown
Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Career Highlights
- Akira Asai – Call of the Night (2022)
- Nadeshiko Kagamihara – Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp△)
- Hayasaka Ai (young) – Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
- Seth – Radiant
- Zero – Grimoire of Zero
- Rimuru Tempest (child form) – That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (spin-offs/early portrayal context)
Her role as Nadeshiko is especially beloved for its warmth and charm, showcasing her ability to deliver cheerful, comforting performances.
Full Current Filmography
Note: The following reflects documented, widely cited credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime Television Series (Selected, Chronological)
- 2016 – Grimoire of Zero (Zero)
- 2018 – Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp△) (Nadeshiko Kagamihara)
- 2018 – Radiant (Seth)
- 2019 – Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (Young Ai Hayasaka)
- 2021 – Selection Project (Rena Hananoi)
- 2022 – Call of the Night (Akira Asai)
Anime Films
- 2017 – Blame! (Tae)
- 2022 – Laid-Back Camp Movie (Nadeshiko Kagamihara)
Video Games (Selected)
- Blue Archive (Shiroko Sunaookami)
- Granblue Fantasy (various roles)
Critical Reception
Yumiri Hanamori is widely praised for her naturalistic acting style and emotional subtlety. Her performance as Akira Asai has been noted for grounding Call of the Night with a sense of realism.
- Anime News Network reviews of Call of the Night highlight the “grounded performances” that balance the show’s supernatural tone (https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/)
- Critics frequently commend her work in Laid-Back Camp for its warmth and authenticity, helping define the series’ relaxing atmosphere.
Social Media
X: @hanayumi09 (https://x.com/hanayumi09)
English Voice Actor: Natalie Rial
Date of Birth
Not publicly documented
About Natalie
Natalie Rial is an American voice actress known for her work in English-dubbed anime and video games. She is affiliated with Sentai Filmworks and has quickly gained recognition for her clear, expressive vocal style and ability to portray both gentle and strong-willed characters.
As Akira Asai in Call of the Night, Rial delivers a grounded and emotionally perceptive performance that complements the character’s role as a stabilizing presence in the story. Her natural delivery helps make Akira feel relatable and sincere, especially in contrast to the series’ more eccentric personalities.
Hometown
Houston, Texas, USA
Career Highlights
- Akira Asai – Call of the Night
- Nazuna Nanakusa (young/alt voices context in promos or additional material, if applicable) – Call of the Night (limited/auxiliary context)
- Tsuyu Asui (young) – My Hero Academia (additional voice work)
- Himari Uehara – BanG Dream!
- Nene Oda – Hanebado!
Rial is also well known as the younger sister of fellow voice actress Monica Rial, and both have collaborated within the anime dubbing industry.
Full Current Filmography
Note: The following reflects documented credits from publicly available sources and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (English Dub Roles, Selected, Chronological)
- 2018 – BanG Dream! (Himari Uehara)
- 2018 – Hanebado! (Nene Oda)
- 2019 – The Demon Girl Next Door (additional voices)
- 2020 – Assault Lily: Bouquet (additional voices)
- 2022 – Call of the Night (Akira Asai)
- 2023 – Management of a Novice Alchemist (additional voices)
Video Games (Selected)
- Smite (additional voices)
- Paladins (additional voices)
Critical Reception
Natalie Rial has been praised for her clarity, emotional authenticity, and adaptability in English dubs. Her performance as Akira Asai is often noted for maintaining the character’s calm intelligence and emotional nuance.
- Behind The Voice Actors profile (https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Natalie-Rial/) documents her growing list of roles and fan reception.
- Reviews of Call of the Night’s English dub frequently highlight the strong ensemble cast and faithful character portrayals.
Social Media
X: @NatalieRial (https://x.com/NatalieRial)
