Makarov Dreyar in Fairy Tail is voiced by Shinpachi Tsuji in the Japanese version and R. Bruce Elliott in the English dub. Both actors bring a commanding yet warm presence to the role, capturing Makarov’s balance of stern guild master authority and the deeply paternal affection he holds for every member of Fairy Tail.
Shinpachi Tsuji (Japanese Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
October 20, 1956
About Shinpachi
Shinpachi Tsuji (辻 親八) is a veteran Japanese voice actor and actor born in Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Affiliated with Office PAC, he has built a career spanning several decades across anime, video games, and dubbing work for Western productions. His deep, resonant voice and ability to portray figures of authority — while still conveying warmth and humor — have made him a consistent presence in major anime productions.
Tsuji is perhaps best known to anime audiences for his long-running role as Makarov Dreyar in Fairy Tail, a role he has reprised across the original TV series, OVAs, films, multiple video games, and the 2024 sequel series Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest. His portrayal of the diminutive but mighty guild master has become one of the most recognizable elder-figure performances in shonen anime, earning a dedicated fanbase who consistently rank Makarov among his signature roles.
Beyond Fairy Tail, Tsuji has demonstrated remarkable range in his dubbing work, lending his voice to characters as varied as Pakkun in Naruto, Pericolo in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, and even Mayor Joe Quimby in the Japanese dub of The Simpsons Movie. He also voiced the Castellan in EDENS ZERO — a nod to his Makarov role, as the character shares a visual resemblance to Makarov, both series being created by Hiro Mashima.
Hometown
Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Career Highlights
- Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail
- Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest
- Faust – Fairy Tail
- Nunzio Pericolo – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
- Bason – Shaman King (2001 anime)
- Odin – High School D×D
- The Castellan – EDENS ZERO
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (Selected, Chronological Highlights)
- 2001 – Bason – Shaman King
- 2009 – Makarov Dreyar / Faust – Fairy Tail (2009–2019 TV series)
- 2011 – Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail OVA
- 2012 – Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess
- 2018 – Nunzio Pericolo – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
- 2021 – Gustav Dedoldia – Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
- 2021 – Beren – TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy-
- 2024 – Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest
Video Games (Selected)
- Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail: Gekitou! Madoushi Kessen (2010)
- Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail: Clash at Kardia Cathedral! (2011)
- Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail: Zeref’s Awakening (2012)
- Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail (2020)
- Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail 2 (2024)
- Dong Zhuo – Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Critical Reception
Shinpachi Tsuji’s portrayal of Makarov Dreyar has been widely embraced by Fairy Tail fans as one of the definitive elder-figure performances in modern shonen anime. His ability to shift seamlessly between comedic bluster and genuine emotional gravitas — particularly in the series’ more dramatic arcs — has been frequently cited by viewers on platforms such as MyAnimeList as a key reason Makarov resonates so strongly as a character. The role consistently ranks as Tsuji’s most recognized performance among fans who voted on Behind the Voice Actors.
R. Bruce Elliott (English Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
September 3, 1949
About Bruce
Robert Bruce Elliott is an American actor, director, and scriptwriter born in Renton, Washington, USA. He is perhaps best known in anime dubbing circles for his long-running role as Richard Moore in the detective series Case Closed, and for serving as the current English voice of Captain Ginyu in the Dragon Ball franchise, replacing Brice Armstrong. His extensive career spans television, film, and animation voice work, with credits ranging from Barney & Friends to the film JFK.
Elliott first took on the role of Makarov Dreyar in the Funimation English dub of Fairy Tail beginning in 2011, continuing through to the series’ conclusion and returning for Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest in 2024. His naturally authoritative, gravelly voice lends itself well to Makarov’s role as a wise and powerful guild master, while also allowing for the character’s frequent moments of lighthearted comedy. He also voiced the parallel character Faust in the Edolas arc of the same series.
In addition to his prolific anime dubbing work, Elliott has served as an ADR director, with directing credits including Corpse Princess and Romeo X Juliet. His versatility across both performance and production roles has made him a significant figure in the Funimation dubbing community over the course of his career.
Hometown
Renton, Washington, USA
Career Highlights
- Makarov Dreyar / Faust – Fairy Tail
- Richard Moore – Case Closed
- Captain Ginyu – Dragon Ball Z Kai
- Szilard Quates – Baccano!
- Shimada Kanbei – Samurai 7
- Dot Pixis – Attack on Titan: The Final Season
- Tanaka – Black Butler
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (Voice Acting)
- 2004 – Richard Moore – Case Closed (also movies and specials)
- 2004 – Basque Gran – Fullmetal Alchemist
- 2006 – Shimada Kanbei – Samurai 7
- 2007–2008 – Narrator – School Rumble (also OVAs)
- 2008 – Kasanoda’s Father – Ouran High School Host Club
- 2009 – Szilard Quates – Baccano!
- 2010 – Tanaka – Black Butler
- 2010 – Captain Ginyu – Dragon Ball Z Kai
- 2011–2019 – Makarov / Faust – Fairy Tail
- 2012 – Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess
- 2013 – Sadri – Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing
- 2014 – Narrator – Space Dandy
- 2020 – Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail (Final Series)
- 2021 – Dot Pixis – Attack on Titan: The Final Season
- 2022 – Kaoru Gojo – My Dress-Up Darling
- 2023 – Goethe – The Kingdoms of Ruin
- 2024 – Makarov Dreyar – Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest
- 2024 – Nanamaki – Natsume’s Book of Friends
Critical Reception
R. Bruce Elliott’s English performance as Makarov Dreyar has been positively received by the English-speaking Fairy Tail fanbase, with many viewers noting that his deep, measured delivery suits the character’s role as both a mentor and a formidable mage. His performance across the full run of the Funimation dub — from the earliest arcs through to Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest in 2024 — is frequently cited on community pages such as MyAnimeList and Behind the Voice Actors as a consistent and fitting portrayal of the beloved guild master.
