Motoyasu Kitamura, the Spear Hero in The Rising of the Shield Hero, is voiced by Makoto Takahashi in the original Japanese version and Xander Mobus in the English dub. Both actors helped define Motoyasu’s overconfident personality, comedic arrogance, and gradual character evolution throughout the series.
Japanese Voice Actor: Makoto Takahashi
Date of Birth
Not publicly documented.
About Makoto
Makoto Takahashi is a Japanese voice actor known for anime, dubbing, narration, and stage-related performances. His role as Motoyasu Kitamura became one of his most recognizable anime appearances due to the character’s major presence throughout The Rising of the Shield Hero.
As Motoyasu, Takahashi delivers a loud, confident, and emotionally reactive performance that emphasizes the character’s impulsive personality and exaggerated sense of heroism. Over time, the role also allows him to shift into more comedic and emotionally unstable territory as Motoyasu’s story develops.
While not as publicly high-profile as some leading anime actors, Takahashi has built a steady career across television anime and media projects.
Hometown
Not publicly documented.
Career Highlights
Makoto Takahashi is best known internationally for his work in fantasy and action anime.
Some documented notable roles include:
- Motoyasu Kitamura — The Rising of the Shield Hero
- Various supporting anime and dubbing performances
- Narration and commercial voice work
His portrayal of Motoyasu became especially memorable among Shield Hero viewers because of the character’s dramatic personality swings and comedic interactions with Naofumi.
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects publicly documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime Television
- The Rising of the Shield Hero — Motoyasu Kitamura (2019–present)
- The Reprise of the Spear Hero promotional media — Motoyasu Kitamura
- Additional supporting anime appearances
Anime Films
- The Rising of the Shield Hero related specials and OVAs — Motoyasu Kitamura
Video Games
- The Rising of the Shield Hero game collaborations — Motoyasu Kitamura
- Additional Japanese voice work in multimedia projects
Critical Reception
Makoto Takahashi’s portrayal of Motoyasu has been praised for fully embracing the character’s theatrical personality and comedic excess. Fans frequently point to his energetic delivery and exaggerated reactions as major contributors to Motoyasu’s entertainment value.
Although Motoyasu initially appears as a rival and antagonist figure to Naofumi, later arcs lean more heavily into comedy, giving Takahashi opportunities to showcase a broader range of performance styles.
Our Sources
Behind The Voice Actors – Motoyasu Kitamura cast listing (https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/The-Rising-of-the-Shield-Hero/Motoyasu-Kitamura/)
The Rising of the Shield Hero official anime website (http://shieldhero-anime.jp/)
Anime News Network encyclopedia entry for The Rising of the Shield Hero (https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=21213)
Social Media
No verified official public social media accounts for Makoto Takahashi could be confirmed from reputable public sources.
English Voice Actor: Xander Mobus
Date of Birth
July 8, 1992
About Xander
Xander Mobus is an American voice actor, announcer, and musician widely known for major anime and video game roles. His portrayal of Motoyasu Kitamura in The Rising of the Shield Hero helped define the character’s arrogant charm, comedic overconfidence, and dramatic emotional outbursts in the English dub.
As Motoyasu, Mobus delivers a highly energetic performance that emphasizes the Spear Hero’s self-important personality and tendency to act before thinking. His delivery also plays a major role in the character’s comedic scenes, especially during Motoyasu’s exaggerated rivalries and emotional breakdowns later in the story.
Outside anime, Mobus is especially famous in gaming for several iconic narrator and protagonist roles.
Hometown
Not publicly documented.
Career Highlights
Xander Mobus became one of the most recognizable English voice actors of the 2010s through major anime and gaming performances.
Some of his most notable roles include:
- Motoyasu Kitamura — The Rising of the Shield Hero
- Joker / Ren Amamiya — Persona 5
- The Announcer / Master Hand — Super Smash Bros.
- Kousei Arima — Your Lie in April
- Inumuta Hōka — Kill la Kill
- Roy — Fire Emblem Heroes
- Takumi Aldini — Food Wars!
- Dee Jay — Street Fighter 6
His role as Motoyasu stands out because it allows him to lean heavily into comedy while still handling serious rivalry and action scenes.
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects publicly documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime Television
- The Rising of the Shield Hero — Motoyasu Kitamura (2019–present)
- Your Lie in April — Kousei Arima
- Kill la Kill — Hōka Inumuta
- Food Wars! — Takumi Aldini
- Blue Exorcist — Rin Okumura (select game appearances and related media)
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure — Additional Voices
- Sword Art Online — Additional Voices
- Demon Slayer — Additional Voices
Anime Films
- Persona 5 the Animation related films — Joker / Ren Amamiya
- Your Lie in April related dub releases — Kousei Arima
- The Rising of the Shield Hero specials and OVAs — Motoyasu Kitamura
Video Games
- Persona 5 series — Joker / Ren Amamiya
- Super Smash Bros. series — Announcer and Master Hand
- Fire Emblem Heroes — Various characters
- Street Fighter 6 — Dee Jay
- BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle — Additional Voices
- Genshin Impact — Additional Voices
Critical Reception
Xander Mobus’ portrayal of Motoyasu has been praised for embracing the character’s theatrical arrogance and comedic absurdity. Fans of the English dub frequently point to his exaggerated reactions and energetic line delivery as some of the funniest moments in the series.
As Motoyasu gradually shifts from rival hero to more eccentric comic-relief figure, Mobus’ performance became increasingly memorable among viewers. His ability to balance humor with occasional emotional sincerity helped maintain the character’s popularity throughout later seasons.
Our Sources
Behind The Voice Actors – Motoyasu Kitamura cast listing (https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/The-Rising-of-the-Shield-Hero/Motoyasu-Kitamura/)
Wikipedia – Xander Mobus biography and filmography (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xander_Mobus)
Anime News Network encyclopedia entry for The Rising of_the_Shield_Hero (https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=21213)
Official Xander Mobus website (https://www.xandermobus.com/)
Social Media
X / Twitter: https://x.com/XanderMobusVO
Official Website: https://www.xandermobus.com/
