Johnny Joestar, the protagonist of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (2026 anime), is voiced in Japanese by Shogo Sakata and in the English dub by Daman Mills. In this article, we’ll focus on Sakata’s performance and career, which brings Johnny’s complex journey to life.
Japanese Voice Actor: Shogo Sakata
Date of Birth
January 23, 1998
About Shogo
Shogo Sakata is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production. Known for his expressive and emotionally grounded performances, he rose to wider recognition through major anime roles in the early 2020s. His casting as Johnny Joestar marked a significant milestone, placing him at the center of one of the most anticipated JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure adaptations.
Hometown
Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
Career Highlights
- Johnny Joestar — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (2026)
- Aki Hayakawa — Chainsaw Man
- Algard von Palletia — The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady
- Usato — The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
- Ranmaru Ai — Fairy Ranmaru
- Akito Ashimine — Tsugumomo
Sakata’s portrayal of Aki in Chainsaw Man significantly boosted his profile, showcasing his ability to handle intense, introspective characters—qualities that translate well into Johnny Joestar’s layered personality.
Full Current Filmography
Below is a structured list of verifiable roles based on available sources (may not be exhaustive):
Anime
- 2017 — Tsugumomo — Akito Ashimine
- 2021 — Fairy Ranmaru — Ranmaru Ai
- 2022 — Chainsaw Man — Aki Hayakawa
- 2023 — The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady — Algard von Palletia
- 2024 — The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic — Usato
- 2026 — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run — Johnny Joestar
Games
- Blue Archive — Sensei
Critical Reception
Shogo Sakata has quickly earned a reputation as a rising talent in the voice acting industry. His performance as Aki Hayakawa was widely praised for its emotional restraint and depth, helping establish him as a strong fit for complex protagonists. His casting as Johnny Joestar has been positively received, with fans noting that his tone aligns well with Johnny’s introspective and evolving character arc.
Our Sources
- Wikipedia – Shogo Sakata (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogo_Sakata)
- Wikipedia – Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Ball_Run%3A_JoJo%27s_Bizarre_Adventure)
- JoJo Wiki – Shogo Sakata (https://jojowiki.com/Shogo_Sakata)
- Oricon News – Steel Ball Run cast announcement (https://us.oricon-group.com/news/6319/)
English Voice Actor: Daman Mills
Date of Birth
Not publicly documented
About Daman
Daman Mills is an American voice actor known for his versatile performances across anime, video games, and animation. Active in the English dubbing industry for over a decade, he has built a strong reputation for portraying both calm, calculating characters and emotionally intense roles. His casting as Johnny Joestar places him in one of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s most demanding lead roles, requiring a nuanced balance of vulnerability, determination, and inner conflict.
Hometown
Not publicly documented
Career Highlights
- Johnny Joestar — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (2026)
- Legato Bluesummers — Trigun: Stampede
- Osamu Miya — Haikyu!!
- Amethio / Quaxly — Pokémon Horizons: The Series
- Taiki Himekawa — Oshi no Ko Season 2
- Adachi — Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
Mills is especially recognized for his ability to bring depth to morally complex or emotionally layered characters—making him a strong match for Johnny’s character arc in Steel Ball Run.
Full Current Filmography
Below is a structured list of verifiable roles based on available sources (may not be exhaustive):
Anime
- Haikyu!! — Osamu Miya
- Orient — Naotora
- Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon — Mayonaka / Mahiruma
- 2023 — Trigun: Stampede — Legato Bluesummers
- 2024 — The Grimm Variations — Jacob Grimm / Masataka Ichijo
- 2024 — Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! — Adachi
- 2024 — Oshi no Ko Season 2 — Taiki Himekawa
- 2025 — Solo Leveling — Barca
- 2025 — Sakamoto Days — Kashima / Joichiro Kaji
- 2025 — Blue Box — Kengo Haryū
- 2026 — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run — Johnny Joestar
Other / Animation & Games
- Pokémon: Hisuian Snow — Additional voices
- Pokémon Horizons: The Series — Amethio / Quaxly
- Pokémon Horizons: The Search for Laqua — Clodsire
Critical Reception
Daman Mills has consistently been praised for his vocal control and emotional delivery, particularly in roles that demand intensity without overstatement. His portrayal of Legato in Trigun: Stampede drew attention for its chilling precision, while his broader body of work demonstrates strong adaptability across genres. His casting as Johnny Joestar has been well received among fans, with many noting his ability to capture both fragility and resolve—key traits of the character.
Our Sources
- Wikipedia – Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Ball_Run%3A_JoJo%27s_Bizarre_Adventure)
- Wikipedia – Daman Mills (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman_Mills)
- Behind The Voice Actors – Johnny Joestar (https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/JoJos-Bizarre-Adventure-Steel-Ball-Run/Johnny-Joestar/)
- The News Fetcher – Steel Ball Run Cast Guide (https://thenewsfetcher.com/jojos-bizarre-adventure-steel-ball-run-cast-voice-actors-seiyuu/)
