Ryota Watari, the energetic and carefree best friend in Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso), is voiced by Ryōta Ōsaka in the original Japanese version and Erik Scott Kimerer in the English dub. Ōsaka’s performance captures Watari’s lively personality and emotional depth, balancing humor with moments of sincerity.
Ryōta Ōsaka (Japanese Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
August 2, 1986
About Ryōta
Ryōta Ōsaka is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Early Wing. Known for his versatile vocal range, he frequently portrays upbeat, kind-hearted, and sometimes impulsive young male characters. Over the years, he has built a strong reputation in anime for delivering emotionally grounded performances, especially in coming-of-age and romance series.
Ōsaka’s portrayal of Ryota Watari stands out for its natural charm—he brings authenticity to a character who could easily be reduced to comic relief but instead feels like a genuine, supportive friend with his own subtle emotional layers.
Hometown
Tokushima Prefecture, Japan
Career Highlights
Ryōta Ōsaka has voiced numerous prominent characters across popular anime series:
- Ryota Watari – Your Lie in April (2014–2015)
- Sadao Maou (Satan Jacob) – The Devil is a Part-Timer!
- Izumi Miyamura – Horimiya
- Marco Bodt – Attack on Titan
- Keiji Akaashi – Haikyuu!!
- Yūma Isogai – Assassination Classroom
- Kakeru Naruse – Orange
- Gen Narumi – Kaiju No. 8
These roles highlight his ability to handle both comedic timing and emotionally complex storytelling.
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented anime voice acting credits from publicly available sources and may not be exhaustive.
Television Anime
- 2012 – Sword Art Online (additional voices)
- 2013 – Attack on Titan (Marco Bodt)
- 2013 – The Devil is a Part-Timer! (Sadao Maou)
- 2014–2015 – Your Lie in April (Ryota Watari)
- 2015 – Assassination Classroom (Yūma Isogai)
- 2016 – Orange (Kakeru Naruse)
- 2016–2020 – Haikyuu!! (Keiji Akaashi)
- 2021 – Horimiya (Izumi Miyamura)
- 2024 – Kaiju No. 8 (Gen Narumi)
Original Video Animation (OVA) / Specials
- 2015 – Haikyuu!! OVA (Keiji Akaashi)
- 2016 – Assassination Classroom Specials (Yūma Isogai)
Anime Films
- 2015 – Haikyuu!! Movie 1 & 2 (Keiji Akaashi)
- 2017 – Orange: Future (Kakeru Naruse)
Video Games (Selected)
- Fire Emblem Heroes (various characters)
- Granblue Fantasy (various roles)
Critical Reception
Ryōta Ōsaka is widely praised for his naturalistic acting style and emotional sincerity. Critics and anime reviewers often highlight his work in Your Lie in April for grounding the story’s emotional core through Watari’s supportive presence.
- Anime News Network character and cast discussions frequently note the chemistry between the main cast, including Ōsaka’s contribution to the group dynamic (https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/)
- Reviews of Your Lie in April on platforms like MyAnimeList and Crunchyroll editorial sections often cite Watari as a “refreshingly genuine supporting character,” with voice acting contributing to his likability (https://www.crunchyroll.com/)
While Ōsaka may not always headline major roles, his consistency and reliability as a supporting and lead actor have earned him strong respect within the industry.
Social Media
X: @osaka_ryota (https://x.com/osaka_ryota)
Erik Scott Kimerer (English Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
November 16, 1986
About Erik
Erik Scott Kimerer is an American voice actor known for his dynamic range and strong presence in anime dubs, video games, and animation. He has built a reputation for portraying both high-energy characters and emotionally nuanced roles, often bringing a grounded realism to his performances.
As Ryota Watari in Your Lie in April, Kimerer delivers a performance that mirrors the character’s outward charm and humor while subtly conveying his deeper emotional awareness. His portrayal helps balance the series’ heavier dramatic elements, making Watari feel like a genuine and relatable friend rather than just comic relief.
Hometown
Seattle, Washington, USA
Career Highlights
Erik Scott Kimerer has voiced a wide range of notable characters across anime and gaming:
- Ryota Watari – Your Lie in April
- Ryuji Takasu – Toradora!
- Obanai Iguro – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
- Speed-o’-Sound Sonic – One Punch Man
- Teruki Hanazawa – Mob Psycho 100
- Philip – The Seven Deadly Sins
- Doppio Dropscythe – Akame ga Kill!
- Naoya Nifuji – Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku
These roles showcase his versatility across genres, from romantic leads to eccentric rivals and action-heavy characters.
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented voice acting credits from publicly available sources and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (English Dub)
- 2013 – Toradora! (Ryuji Takasu)
- 2014–2015 – Your Lie in April (Ryota Watari)
- 2015 – Akame ga Kill! (Doppio Dropscythe)
- 2015 – One Punch Man (Speed-o’-Sound Sonic)
- 2016 – The Seven Deadly Sins (Philip)
- 2016–2019 – Mob Psycho 100 (Teruki Hanazawa)
- 2018 – Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku (Naoya Nifuji)
- 2019–present – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Obanai Iguro)
Video Games (Selected)
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses (additional voices)
- Genshin Impact (various NPC roles)
- Persona series (various roles)
Animation & Other Voice Work
- Various roles in Western animation and commercials (specific credits vary by production and are not always fully publicly cataloged)
Critical Reception
Erik Scott Kimerer is widely appreciated for his expressive delivery and ability to shift seamlessly between comedic and serious tones. His performance as Ryota Watari is often praised for maintaining the character’s likability without overshadowing the central narrative.
- Anime News Network and dub reviews frequently commend Kimerer’s work in ensemble casts, particularly for his timing and emotional authenticity (https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/)
- Fan and critic discussions on platforms like MyAnimeList highlight his role in Toradora! and Mob Psycho 100 as standout performances that demonstrate his range (https://myanimelist.net/)
His consistent performances across major anime titles have solidified his status as a reliable and respected voice in English dubbing.
Social Media
X: @ekimerer (https://x.com/ekimerer)
Instagram: @ekimerer (https://www.instagram.com/ekimerer/)
