Yuzuru Nishimiya in A Silent Voice is voiced by Aoi Yūki in the Japanese version and Mikaela Krantz in the English dub. Both performances capture the sharp, guarded exterior and fierce protectiveness that define Yuzuru’s bond with her older sister Shōko, lending the character a believable edge that balances vulnerability with defiance.
Aoi Yūki (Japanese Voice Actor)
Date of Birth
March 27, 1992
About Aoi
Aoi Yūki is one of the most celebrated and versatile voice actresses working in the Japanese animation industry today. Born in Osaka and raised in an entertainment-oriented environment, she began her career as a child actress before transitioning fully into voice work, where she quickly established herself as a performer of remarkable range. Her ability to portray both youthful exuberance and quiet emotional depth has made her a go-to casting choice for complex characters across a wide variety of genres.
Her performance as Yuzuru Nishimiya in A Silent Voice (2016) is a notable departure from many of her more high-energy roles. Yuzuru is a young girl who presents herself as boyish, blunt, and emotionally armored, and Yūki brings a grounded restraint to the role that makes the character’s rare moments of openness all the more affecting. The subtle shifts in Yuzuru’s tone — from prickly defensiveness to genuine warmth — are handled with precision.
Across her career, Yūki has demonstrated a particular skill for characters who exist slightly outside the conventional, whether through quirky humor, suppressed emotion, or unconventional worldviews. She is widely respected within the industry not only for her vocal talent but also for her work as a singer, having released numerous singles and albums tied to anime projects and personal artistic endeavors.
Hometown
Osaka, Japan
Career Highlights
- Yuzuru Nishimiya – A Silent Voice
- Madoka Kaname – Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- Tsuyu Asui – My Hero Academia
- Victorique de Blois – Gosick
- Togame – Katanagatari
- Yuuki Konno – Sword Art Online II
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (Selected, Chronological Highlights)
- (2010) Togame – Katanagatari
- (2011) Victorique de Blois – Gosick
- (2011) Madoka Kaname – Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- (2014) Yuuki Konno – Sword Art Online II
- (2016) Yuzuru Nishimiya – A Silent Voice (film)
- (2016–present) Tsuyu Asui – My Hero Academia
Critical Reception
Aoi Yūki’s portrayal of Yuzuru has been praised by fans and critics for its understated authenticity. Reviewers have noted that she conveys Yuzuru’s protectiveness and quiet grief without overplaying either quality, resulting in a performance that feels naturalistic within the film’s emotionally dense atmosphere. Coverage at Anime News Network and community discussions on MyAnimeList frequently highlight the ensemble voice cast of A Silent Voice as one of its strongest elements, with Yūki’s contribution consistently recognized.
Mikaela Krantz (English Voice Actor)
About Mikaela
Mikaela Krantz is an American voice actress based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas, working primarily through Funimation’s dubbing productions. She is known for taking on roles that require a youthful yet assertive vocal quality, and her casting as Yuzuru Nishimiya in Funimation’s English dub of A Silent Voice fits comfortably within that range. Krantz brings an energetic directness to the role that suits Yuzuru’s combative first impressions and her underlying emotional sincerity.
While Krantz may not yet have the extensive profile of some of her Funimation colleagues, she has built a steady presence in English-dubbed anime, contributing to several notable titles. Her work tends to lean toward supporting and secondary roles, but performances like Yuzuru demonstrate her capability to leave a meaningful impression even within limited screen time.
Hometown
Texas, United States
Career Highlights
- Yuzuru Nishimiya – A Silent Voice
- Izuku Midoriya (Young) – My Hero Academia
- Retsuko – Aggretsuko
Full Current Filmography
The following list reflects documented credits and may not be exhaustive.
Anime (Voice Acting)
- Izuku Midoriya (Young) – My Hero Academia
- Yuzuru Nishimiya – A Silent Voice (film)
- Retsuko – Aggretsuko
Critical Reception
The English dub of A Silent Voice received broadly positive notices, with Anime News Network and viewer commentary on MyAnimeList generally commending Funimation’s localization effort. Krantz’s performance as Yuzuru is noted as a faithful interpretation of the character’s prickliness and loyalty, maintaining the emotional integrity of Yūki’s original portrayal while giving the role a distinctly natural English cadence.
