Master Roshi, also known as the Turtle Hermit, is one of the most iconic characters in the Dragon Ball franchise. Over the years, he has been voiced by several Japanese actors, including Kōhei Miyauchi, Hiroshi Masuoka, and Masaharu Satō, while Mike McFarland is the best-known English voice actor for the character. Miyauchi originated the role in the original Dragon Ball anime, and subsequent actors continued the character following his passing in 1995. (behindthevoiceactors.com)
Japanese Voice Actor: Masaharu Satō (Current Long-Term Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
July 1, 1946. (Anime News Network Encyclopedia)
About Masaharu
Masaharu Satō is a veteran Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production. Following the passing of Kōhei Miyauchi and later Hiroshi Masuoka’s tenure, Satō became the primary voice of Master Roshi for modern Dragon Ball productions, including Dragon Ball Kai, Dragon Ball Super, films, and video games.
His portrayal preserves the character’s unique balance of wisdom, comedy, eccentricity, and surprising martial arts prowess. Satō’s performance has introduced Master Roshi to newer generations of fans while maintaining the spirit established by the original actors.
Hometown
Tokyo, Japan.
Career Highlights
Some of Masaharu Satō’s most notable roles include:
- Master Roshi — Dragon Ball franchise
- Spandam — One Piece
- Karakuri Dōji Ultimo — Karakuri Dōji Ultimo
- Professor Franken — Dr. Slump
- Various supporting roles across Toei Animation productions
Full Current Filmography
The following list highlights major documented anime roles and may not be exhaustive.
Dragon Ball Franchise
Television Anime
2009–2015
- Dragon Ball Z Kai — Master Roshi
2015–2018
- Dragon Ball Super — Master Roshi
2024
- Dragon Ball Daima — Master Roshi
Anime Films
2013
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods — Master Roshi
2015
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ — Master Roshi
2018
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly — Master Roshi
2022
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero — Master Roshi
Video Games
- Dragon Ball FighterZ — Master Roshi
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 — Master Roshi
- Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot — Master Roshi
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO — Master Roshi
Critical Reception
Master Roshi is one of anime’s most influential mentor characters, and Satō’s performance has been praised for preserving the character’s charm while adapting him for modern audiences. Fans particularly appreciated his work during the Tournament of Power arc in Dragon Ball Super, where Roshi received some of his most significant character development in decades.
Our Sources
- Behind The Voice Actors – Master Roshi (https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Dragon-Ball/Master-Roshi/)
- Masaharu Satō Profile (https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=592)
- Dragon Ball Wiki – Master Roshi (https://dragonball.fandom.com/wiki/Master_Roshi)
- Dragon Ball Wiki – Masaharu Satō (https://dragonball.fandom.com/wiki/Masaharu_Sat%C5%8D)
English Voice Actor: Mike McFarland
Date of Birth
July 14, 1970. (Wikipedia)
About Mike
Mike McFarland is an American voice actor, ADR director, ADR scriptwriter, and producer best known for his extensive work with Funimation and Crunchyroll. Throughout his career, he has voiced hundreds of anime characters while also directing and adapting many of the industry’s most popular English dubs.
In the Dragon Ball franchise, McFarland is the definitive English voice of Master Roshi, having portrayed the Turtle Hermit in Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Kai, Dragon Ball Super, films, and video games. His performance captures Roshi’s unique blend of martial arts wisdom, comic relief, eccentric behavior, and occasional moments of surprising heroism.
Hometown
Texas, United States (specific birthplace has not been widely documented in official public biographies).
Career Highlights
Some of Mike McFarland’s most notable roles include:
- Master Roshi — Dragon Ball franchise
- Buggy the Clown — One Piece
- Jean Havoc — Fullmetal Alchemist
- Master Roshi — Dragon Ball Super
- Yamcha (selected games and productions) — Dragon Ball
- Amon — Tokyo Ghoul
- Riku Dold III — The Heroic Legend of Arslan
In addition to voice acting, McFarland has directed numerous anime productions, including Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Dragon Ball Super, and One Piece.
Full Current Filmography
The following list highlights major documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime Series
1999
- Dragon Ball Z — Master Roshi
2003
- Fullmetal Alchemist — Jean Havoc
2007
- One Piece — Buggy the Clown
2009
- Dragon Ball Z Kai — Master Roshi
2015
- Dragon Ball Super — Master Roshi
2014
- Tokyo Ghoul — Amon
2024
- Dragon Ball Daima — Master Roshi
Anime Films
2013
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods — Master Roshi
2015
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ — Master Roshi
2018
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly — Master Roshi
2022
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero — Master Roshi
Video Games
Dragon Ball Games
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse — Master Roshi
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 — Master Roshi
- Dragon Ball FighterZ — Master Roshi
- Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot — Master Roshi
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO — Master Roshi
ADR Directing Highlights
- Attack on Titan
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Dragon Ball Super
- One Piece
- Fairy Tail
Critical Reception
Mike McFarland’s portrayal of Master Roshi has become iconic among English-speaking Dragon Ball fans. His performance balances Roshi’s comedic eccentricities with the wisdom and experience expected of one of martial arts’ greatest masters.
Fans particularly praise McFarland’s work during Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power arc, where Roshi’s growth and battle experience took center stage. His ability to switch between comedy and serious dramatic moments has helped make Roshi one of the franchise’s most beloved supporting characters in the English dub.
Our Sources
- Behind The Voice Actors – Master Roshi (https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Dragon-Ball/Master-Roshi/)
- Behind The Voice Actors – Mike McFarland (https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Mike-McFarland/)
- Mike McFarland Biography (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_McFarland)
- Dragon Ball Wiki – Master Roshi (https://dragonball.fandom.com/wiki/Master_Roshi)
- IMDb Profile – Mike McFarland (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568969/)
Social Media
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/MikeMcFarlandVA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikemcfarlandva
- Official Website: https://www.mikemcfarlandvoice.com/
