Hodaka Morishima in Weathering with You is voiced by Kotaro Daigo in the Japanese version and Brandon Engman in the English dub. Both actors bring a grounded, earnest quality to Hodaka’s journey as a sixteen-year-old runaway navigating isolation and unexpected connection in Tokyo — a performance that demands emotional range without tipping into melodrama.
Kotaro Daigo (Japanese Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
September 1, 2000
About Kotaro
Kotaro Daigo (醍醐 虎汰朗) is a Japanese actor born and raised in Tokyo, affiliated with the talent agency A-Light. He originally pursued soccer during his junior high school years before pivoting to acting, drawn to the entertainment industry from an early age. He began his professional career in 2017, initially building his profile through live-action stage and screen work before breaking into voice acting in a significant way.
His casting as Hodaka Morishima in Weathering with You came about through a highly competitive audition process. Director Makoto Shinkai selected Daigo and co-star Nana Mori from among approximately two thousand candidates who submitted for the film’s lead roles. Daigo was announced in the role in November 2018, and the film was released in July 2019. The fact that Shinkai chose a young actor with relatively limited voice acting experience speaks to how naturally Daigo’s voice and delivery suited the character — Hodaka’s uncertainty, determination, and emotional sincerity all come through in Daigo’s performance.
In recognition of his work on the film, Daigo won the Best Rookie Actor award at the 14th Seiyu Awards in 2020. His performance in Weathering with You remains his most prominent voice acting credit, though he has continued an active career in live-action television and film, including work on stage adaptations and television dramas.
Hometown
Tokyo, Japan
Career Highlights
- Hodaka Morishima – Weathering with You
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (Selected, Chronological Highlights)
- Hodaka Morishima – Tenki no Ko (Weathering with You) (2019)
Critical Reception
Daigo’s voice performance as Hodaka was widely noted as a standout element of Weathering with You, particularly given that it was his debut in a major voice acting role. His win at the 14th Seiyu Awards for Best Rookie Actor reflected industry recognition of his contribution. On MyAnimeList, Hodaka ranks among the most favorited characters from the film, with Daigo’s portrayal frequently cited by fans as emotionally resonant and convincing for a first-time voice lead.
Brandon Engman (English Voice Actor)
About Brandon
Brandon Engman is an actor, dancer, and singer based in Los Angeles. He trained at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned a BFA in Drama, studying musical theatre at the New Studio on Broadway and film and television acting at Stonestreet Studios. He made his first professional stage debut at Seattle’s ACT Theatre and has since worked across theatre, television, film, and voice acting.
His voice acting work includes the lead role of Hodaka in Weathering with You, produced in English by GKIDS and NYAV Post and directed by Michael Sinterniklaas and Stephanie Sheh. Engman also voiced Kunio in the GKIDS release Lu Over the Wall and Kamishin (Shinjirou Chikami) in another GKIDS production, establishing a working relationship with the distributor across multiple animated features. He additionally voiced the lead character David in the animated series Young David for Angel Studios.
Beyond voice work, Engman has appeared in a range of television productions including Law & Order: SVU, Hunters, New Amsterdam, Hightown, and Dietland, as well as the feature film Bull Run alongside Tom Blyth. He was also selected for the Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase in 2025, underscoring his ongoing presence as a working actor across multiple entertainment sectors.
Career Highlights
- Hodaka Morishima – Weathering with You
- David (Young) – Young David
- Kunio – Lu Over the Wall
- Kamishin (Shinjirou Chikami) – Belle
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (Voice Acting)
- Kunio – Lu Over the Wall (2017, GKIDS English dub)
- Hodaka Morishima – Weathering with You (2019, GKIDS English dub)
- Kamishin (Shinjirou Chikami) – Belle (2021, GKIDS English dub)
Critical Reception
Engman’s English dub performance as Hodaka was praised for capturing the character’s vulnerability and restless energy. The English dub of Weathering with You, directed by Michael Sinterniklaas and Stephanie Sheh for GKIDS and NYAV Post, was noted for its strong lead performances, with Engman handling the emotional weight of Hodaka’s arc — from desperate runaway to someone willing to risk everything for the person he loves — in a way that held up well alongside the film’s acclaimed visual storytelling.
