Diego Brando, the ruthless and ambitious rival in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (2026 anime), is voiced in Japanese by Takeo Ōtsuka and in the English dub by Zach Aguilar. In this article, we’ll focus on Ōtsuka’s performance and career, which bring Diego’s cold determination and cunning charisma to life.
Japanese Voice Actor: Takeo Ōtsuka
Date of Birth
October 19, 1992
About Takeo
Takeo Ōtsuka is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with I’m Enterprise. Known for his calm, composed delivery and ability to portray intelligent yet emotionally complex characters, he has steadily risen in prominence throughout the 2010s and 2020s. His casting as Diego Brando highlights his strength in playing calculating rivals and morally ambiguous figures—traits central to Diego’s role in Steel Ball Run.
Hometown
Tokyo, Japan
Career Highlights
- Diego Brando — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (2026)
- Aqua Hoshino — Oshi no Ko
- Jinshi — The Apothecary Diaries
- Kiyotaka Ayanokōji — Classroom of the Elite
- Leon Fou Bartfort — Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs
Ōtsuka is widely recognized for portraying sharp-minded protagonists and rivals, often bringing a subtle intensity that suits Diego’s calculating nature.
Full Current Filmography
Below is a structured list of verifiable roles based on publicly available sources (may not be exhaustive):
Anime
- 2019 — Why the Hell Are You Here, Teacher!? — Ichirō Satō
- 2020 — The Day I Became a God — Yōta Narukami
- 2021 — Sonny Boy — Cap
- 2022 — Trapped in a Dating Sim — Leon Fou Bartfort
- 2022–2024 — Classroom of the Elite — Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
- 2023 — Oshi no Ko — Aqua Hoshino
- 2023 — The Apothecary Diaries — Jinshi
- 2026 — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run — Diego Brando
Games / Other Media
- Various mobile and game titles — Roles not fully publicly documented
Note: This list reflects documented credits from cited sources and may not be exhaustive.
Critical Reception
Takeo Ōtsuka has been praised for his controlled, introspective performances, particularly in roles like Aqua and Ayanokōji, where subtle emotional shifts are key. His casting as Diego Brando has been well received, with fans noting that his cool, composed tone aligns perfectly with Diego’s strategic and often ruthless personality.
Our Sources
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- Wikipedia – Takeo Ōtsuka (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeo_%C5%8Ctsuka)
- Wikipedia – Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Ball_Run%3A_JoJo%27s_Bizarre_Adventure)
- JoJo Wiki – Diego Brando (https://jojowiki.com/Diego_Brando)
English Voice Actor: Zach Aguilar
Date of Birth
February 21, 1998
About Zach
Zach Aguilar is an American voice actor widely recognized for his energetic range and emotional delivery across anime and video games. Since his breakout roles in the late 2010s, he has become one of the most prominent younger voices in English dubbing. His casting as Diego Brando brings a sharp, competitive edge to the character, blending charisma with underlying intensity—key traits that define Diego’s presence in Steel Ball Run.
Hometown
Los Angeles, California, USA
Career Highlights
- Diego Brando — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (2026)
- Tanjiro Kamado — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
- Aether (Male Traveler) — Genshin Impact
- Koichi Hirose — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable
- Arthur Pendragon — Fire Force
- Genos — One-Punch Man (later seasons)
Aguilar is known for portraying determined and emotionally driven characters, making him a compelling choice for Diego’s fierce ambition and evolving rivalry.
Full Current Filmography
Below is a structured list of verifiable roles based on available sources (may not be exhaustive):
Anime
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable — Koichi Hirose
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Tanjiro Kamado
- Fire Force — Arthur Pendragon
- One-Punch Man (Season 2 onward) — Genos
- Tokyo Revengers — Takemichi Hanagaki (partial/alternate casting credits)
- Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga — Renzo Shima (additional/ADR roles)
- 2026 — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run — Diego Brando
Video Games
- Genshin Impact — Aether (Male Traveler)
- NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… — Young Nier
- Persona 5 Royal — Additional voices
- Fire Emblem Heroes — Various characters
Other / Animation
- Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir — Additional voices
- Netflix animation projects — Various supporting roles
Note: This list reflects documented credits from cited sources and may not be exhaustive.
Critical Reception
Zach Aguilar has earned widespread praise for his ability to convey emotional intensity and sincerity, particularly in leading roles like Tanjiro Kamado. His performances often balance vulnerability with determination, a combination that aligns well with Diego Brando’s competitive drive and layered personality. His casting has been positively received, with fans noting his proven track record in high-profile shonen and action-driven series.
Our Sources
- Wikipedia – Zach Aguilar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Aguilar)
- Wikipedia – Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Ball_Run%3A_JoJo%27s_Bizarre_Adventure)
- Behind The Voice Actors – Diego Brando (https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/
