Naofumi Iwatani in The Rising of the Shield Hero is voiced by Kaito Ishikawa in the Japanese version and Billy Kametz in the English dub. Both actors bring a carefully measured intensity to the role, capturing Naofumi’s shift from a betrayed, embittered outcast to a reluctant but determined hero — a character arc that demands equal parts restrained anger and quiet resolve.
Kaito Ishikawa (Japanese Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
September 13, 1993
About Kaito
Kaito Ishikawa is a Japanese voice actor born in Tokyo, Japan. He is affiliated with Stay Luck (previously with Pro-Fit) and has established himself as one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary anime. He made his professional debut in the early 2010s and quickly rose to prominence after winning the Best Rookie award at the 8th Seiyuu Awards in 2014, signaling early on that he was a performer of considerable range and skill.
Ishikawa’s voice carries a distinctive depth and clarity that lends itself naturally to serious, introspective male leads. As Naofumi Iwatani, he delivers a performance grounded in controlled frustration and guarded sincerity — perfectly suited to a protagonist who has been wronged by the world and must navigate distrust while still choosing to protect others. His ability to convey emotional complexity without melodrama has made him a go-to casting choice for morally nuanced characters across multiple major franchises.
Beyond The Rising of the Shield Hero, Ishikawa has maintained a prolific output across television anime, films, and video games. He was further recognized with the Best Actor in a Supporting Role award at the 14th Seiyuu Awards in 2020, cementing his reputation as a voice actor capable of elevating any role he takes on. In September 2025, he announced his marriage to fellow voice actress Maaya Uchida.
Hometown
Tokyo, Japan
Career Highlights
- Naofumi Iwatani – The Rising of the Shield Hero
- Tsuchimikado Harutora – Tokyo Ravens
- Nagi Umino – A Couple of Cuckoos
- Jin Enjoji (Jiji) – Dandadan
- Kaito Onogi – Tsurune Movie: Hajimari no Issha
- Kasen Kanesada – Toku: Touken Ranbu – Hanamaru – Setsugetsuka
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (Selected, Chronological Highlights)
- (2013) Tsuchimikado Harutora / Tsuchimikado Yakou – Tokyo Ravens
- (2014) Ignacio Axis – Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
- (2019) Naofumi Iwatani – Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari (The Rising of the Shield Hero)
- (2022) Naofumi Iwatani – Isekai Quartet Movie: Another World
- (2022) Kaito Onogi – Tsurune Movie: Hajimari no Issha
- (2022) Naofumi Iwatani – Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari Season 2
- (2022) Nagi Umino – Kakkou no Iinazuke (A Couple of Cuckoos)
- (2023) Naofumi Iwatani – Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari Season 3
- (2024) Jin Enjoji / Jiji – Dandadan
Critical Reception
Ishikawa’s portrayal of Naofumi Iwatani has been widely praised for its emotional authenticity. Fans and critics have highlighted how he captures the character’s bitterness and gradual emotional recovery without ever making Naofumi feel one-dimensional. The series holds a score of 7.90 on MyAnimeList, where Naofumi ranks among the most favorited characters associated with the show, with over 9,400 users listing him as a favorite — a figure that speaks to the resonance of the performance across the fanbase.
Social Media
Kaito Ishikawa is active on X (Twitter) at @ish_kaito and on Instagram at @ishi_kaito1013.
Billy Kametz (English Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
March 22, 1987
About Billy
Billy P. Kametz (March 22, 1987 – June 9, 2022) was an American voice and stage actor born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and raised in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He relocated to Los Angeles in 2016 to perform as Aladdin in the final run of Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disney’s California Adventure, and it was during this period that he transitioned into voice acting. From the outset, his warm yet versatile voice quickly earned him significant roles across anime, video games, and animation.
Kametz voiced Naofumi Iwatani throughout the first season of The Rising of the Shield Hero, delivering a performance that earned him the Best VA Performance (EN) award at the 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2020. His portrayal of Naofumi — a protagonist consumed by justified resentment but driven by a quietly persistent sense of justice — showcased Kametz’s ability to carry emotionally heavy material across an entire series lead role. The performance remains among the most celebrated English dub leads of its era.
In April 2022, Kametz publicly announced he had been diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer and stepped away from voice acting to focus on his health. He passed away on June 9, 2022, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, at the age of 35. Following his passing, Stephen Fu assumed the role of Naofumi Iwatani beginning with Season 2 of the series. Kametz’s contributions to the English dub voice acting community remain widely remembered and celebrated by fans and colleagues alike.
Hometown
Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
Career Highlights
- Naofumi Iwatani – The Rising of the Shield Hero
- Josuke Higashikata – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable
- Ferdinand von Aegir – Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- Takuto Maruki – Persona 5 Royal
- Galo Thymos – Promare
- Rui (Lower Five) – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (Voice Acting)
- Josuke Higashikata – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable
- Naofumi Iwatani – The Rising of the Shield Hero (Season 1)
- Rui (Lower Five) – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
- Shinei Nouzen / Undertaker – 86 Eighty-Six
- Nicolo – Vinland Saga
- Osomatsu – Mr. Osomatsu
- Shigeru Aoba – Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Shinichiro Sano – Tokyo Revengers
Critical Reception
Kametz’s English performance as Naofumi Iwatani was met with strong acclaim from both critics and the anime community. His ability to portray the character’s deep-seated distrust and emotional walls while still keeping Naofumi sympathetic was widely noted as a standout achievement in English dub casting. The recognition was formal as well as fan-driven: Kametz won the Best VA Performance (EN) award at the 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2020 for the role. Following his passing, fans on forums such as Reddit noted that his successor Stephen Fu had done commendable work honoring the groundwork Kametz laid, a testament to how definitively Kametz had shaped the character’s English-language identity.
