Youhei Sunohara, Tomoya’s perpetually hapless best friend in Clannad — a former soccer star reduced to comedic punching bag who nonetheless proves to be a genuinely caring person when it counts — is voiced in Japanese by Daisuke Sakaguchi and in the English dub by Greg Ayres. Both actors bring an infectious, rubber-faced energy to one of anime’s most beloved comic sidekicks.
Daisuke Sakaguchi — Japanese Voice of Youhei Sunohara
Date of Birth
October 11, 1973
About Daisuke
Daisuke Sakaguchi is a Japanese voice actor from Kashiwazaki, Niigata, affiliated with Aoni Production. Active since 1992 with a career spanning over three decades, he is best known internationally for Shinpachi Shimura in Gintama and Youhei Sunohara in Clannad. His natural comic timing and expressive delivery make him one of the most reliable voices in anime comedy — and as Sunohara, he brings a lovable buffoonery that somehow never completely overshadows the character’s genuine moments of loyalty and growth.
Hometown
Kashiwazaki, Niigata, Japan
Career Highlights
- Gintama – Shinpachi Shimura
- Clannad – Youhei Sunohara
- Blood Blockade Battlefront – Leonardo Watch
- Hyouka – Satoshi Fukube
- Fire Force – Victor Licht
Full Current Filmography
Below is a structured list of verifiable roles based on available sources (may not be exhaustive):
Television Anime
- 1993 – Mobile Suit Victory Gundam — Üso Ewin
- 2006–2018 – Gintama — Shinpachi Shimura
- 2007–2009 – Clannad / Clannad: After Story — Youhei Sunohara
- 2012–2013 – Hyouka — Satoshi Fukube
- 2015–2016 – Blood Blockade Battlefront — Leonardo Watch
- 2019–present – Fire Force — Victor Licht
Note: This list reflects documented credits from cited sources and may not be exhaustive.
Critical Reception
Sakaguchi’s Sunohara is considered a model performance for the “lovable idiot best friend” archetype. His ability to make Sunohara’s repeated humiliations feel funny rather than mean-spirited is a product of skillful comic timing and genuine warmth in the delivery. Importantly, when Sunohara’s story takes a more serious turn in After Story, Sakaguchi matches that shift with real emotional conviction — reminding audiences that there’s more to the character than his running gags.
Our Sources
Social Media
No verified official public social media accounts were found from reliable sources.
Greg Ayres — English Voice of Youhei Sunohara
Date of Birth
December 7, 1968
About Greg
Greg Ayres is an American voice actor and DJ from Richmond, Virginia, who has been working in anime dubbing since 1998. Known for his high-energy performances in energetic male roles, he has built one of the most recognizable voices in Funimation dubbing history. His extensive experience voicing exuberant, comedy-prone young men — from Koyuki Tanaka in Beck to Yuu Nishinoya in Haikyu!! — made him an obvious choice for Sunohara, and he delivers the role with gleeful commitment.
Hometown
Richmond, Virginia, USA
Career Highlights
- Clannad – Youhei Sunohara
- Haikyu!! – Yuu Nishinoya
- Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad – Koyuki Tanaka
- Ouran High School Host Club – Kaoru Hitachin
- Chrono Crusade – Chrono
Full Current Filmography
Below is a structured list of verifiable roles based on available sources (may not be exhaustive):
Television Anime
- 2004 – Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad — Koyuki Tanaka
- 2007–2009 – Clannad — Youhei Sunohara
- 2006 – Ouran High School Host Club — Kaoru Hitachin
- 2012–present – Haikyu!! — Yuu Nishinoya
- 2015–present – Dragon Ball Super — Frost
Note: This list reflects documented credits from cited sources and may not be exhaustive.
Critical Reception
Ayres’ English performance as Sunohara is universally praised in the dub community for its energy and comedic commitment. His natural talent for frantic, over-the-top reactions suits Sunohara perfectly, and his delivery of the character’s more earnest moments in After Story shows genuine range. Many English-speaking fans consider his Sunohara the highlight performance of the Clannad dub’s supporting cast.
Our Sources
Social Media
Official website: gregayres.com
