Tomoaki Maeno

Tomoaki Maeno is a Japanese voice actor whose deep, flexible voice has made him one of the most recognizable talents in anime. He is best known for bringing Zhongli in Genshin Impact to life, a role that earned him fans around the world, and for his warm yet commanding turn as White Blood Cell U-1146 in Cells at Work!. With over 300 credits across anime, video games, and drama CDs, his range spans from comedic sidekicks to intense leading men.

As of 2026, Maeno remains one of the busiest voices in the industry, regularly landing roles in major seasonal titles and long-running franchises. His work on Genshin Impact has turned him into a global name, with fans praising his portrayal of the Geo Archon's dignified and mysterious nature. Whether he's voicing a stoic hero or a lovable goofball, Maeno brings a distinct warmth and precision to every performance. [edit]

Maeno grew up in Shimotsuma, a city in Ibaraki Prefecture known for its rural scenery and the Hitachi Seaside Park. Details about his childhood are scarce, but he has mentioned that he was a quiet kid who loved watching anime and playing video games. His path to voice acting started in the early 2000s when he decided to pursue it seriously, though he kept his ambitions private at first.

He trained at a voice acting school in Tokyo, where he worked on honing his natural baritone. His debut came in the mid-2000s with small roles in anime and drama CDs. Those early years were a grind, with plenty of auditions and minor parts, but they gave him the foundation for everything that followed. By the late 2000s, he was starting to land recurring roles, setting the stage for his breakthrough. [edit]

Maeno's career took off in the 2010s with a string of standout roles. He voiced Rei Ryugazaki in Free! (2013) and Koutarou Amon in Tokyo Ghoul (2014), showing his ability to handle both lighthearted and gritty material. In 2015, he joined the cast of Seraph of the End, and a year later he played Jean-Jacques Leroy in Yuri!!! on Ice.

The real game changer came in 2018 when he was cast as White Blood Cell U-1146 in Cells at Work!. The show was a massive hit, and his portrayal of the earnest, protective neutrophil made him a household name among anime fans. Then in 2020, he landed the role of Zhongli in Genshin Impact, which catapulted him to international fame. Zhongli's popularity has kept him in the spotlight, with fans celebrating his performance in streams and events.

Since then, Maeno has kept up a relentless pace. He voiced Konro Sagamiya in Fire Force, joined the Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ franchise as Camus, and appeared in Tokyo Override (2024). In 2025, he was cast as Kunihito in Onmyo Kaiten Re:Birth Verse, and he's set to return for Season 2 of With Vengeance, Sincerely, Your Broken Saintess in October 2026. [edit]

Maeno is known for his deep, versatile voice that can shift from a gentle, caring tone to an intense, commanding one in a single scene. Fans appreciate his dedication to each role, often noting how he brings subtle nuances that make characters feel real. His portrayal of Zhongli has made him a fan favorite in the gaming community, with many praising his ability to capture the character's ancient wisdom and quiet strength.

On social media, he's active on X (Twitter) under @maeno_giants, where he shares updates about his work and occasional glimpses into his hobbies. His public persona is down-to-earth and professional, and he's respected by colleagues and fans alike for his craft and humility. [edit]

Tomoaki Maeno has built a formidable reputation as one of the most versatile and recognizable voices in the industry, with a career spanning over 300 credits across anime, video games, and drama CDs. His ability to shift from the gentle warmth of White Blood Cell U-1146 in Cells at Work! to the commanding ancient wisdom of Zhongli in Genshin Impact has cemented his status among global audiences. As of August 2026, Tomoaki Maeno is currently evaluated by the iFANN Global Fame Engine but does not hold a placement in the published rankings, meaning he is not currently ranked within the Global Top 1,000 or any specific Top-100 scope list. This evaluation reflects his immense activity and high demand rather than a lack of fame; he remains a central figure in major seasonal titles and long-running franchises. While many voice actors cultivate distinct, organized fanbases with formal names and dedicated campaigns, Maeno's audience is decentralized, integrated deeply within the communities for the specific franchises he serves like Genshin Impact and The Hunger Games dubs. There is no documented official fandom name, nor are there records of organized chart pushes or charity drives exclusively dedicated to him. Instead, his legend is woven through consistent professional excellence and iconic casting announcements, such as his upcoming role as Mountain Tim in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run. Fans rally around his versatility and his personal milestones, including the birth of his second child, without forming a singular monolithic group identity. His presence on social media under @maeno_giants connects directly to his lifelong passion for baseball, further grounding his public image in authentic interests rather than manufactured idol culture.[edit]

Fans affectionately call him "Maenu," a nickname that has stuck with him over the years. He harbors a long-standing dream of voicing a character in the Dragon Ball franchise, a wish he frequently mentions in interviews that fans love to rally behind. Although often typecast as bishounen types or characters with a heart of gold, he has successfully portrayed jerks and comic relief roles throughout his extensive career. Outside of acting, he is a devoted baseball fan who supports the Yomiuri Giants, which explains his Twitter handle @maeno_giants. He also enjoys cooking and has shared recipes for curry as a comfort food. A significant personal milestone occurred in February 2025 when he announced the birth of his second child with fellow voice actress Mikako Komatsu, celebrating their long-standing marriage. In April 2021, he participated in a notable livestream campaign for Utano☆Princesama Shining Live alongside Takuma Terashima and Shouta Aoi, showcasing his continued involvement in major franchise promotions.[edit]

Maeno married fellow voice actress Mikako Komatsu in May 2020, with the announcement made through their agencies. The couple has two children, with their second child born in February 2025. They keep their family life mostly private, but Maeno has occasionally shared that fatherhood has changed his perspective on work and life. The family splits time between their home and recording studios, and Maeno has mentioned that his kids are starting to recognize his voice in shows. [edit]

Maeno is married to voice actress Mikako Komatsu, with whom he has two children. He has worked alongside Takuma Terashima and Shouta Aoi in the Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ franchise. In With Vengeance, Sincerely, Your Broken Saintess, he stars with Minami Tsuda and Reiō Tsuchida. For Onmyo Kaiten Re:Birth Verse, he shares the cast with Maaya Uchida and Ryohei Kimura. [edit]

Maeno's public dating history is short. Before his marriage, there were no widely reported relationships. In May 2020, he married fellow voice actress Mikako Komatsu, a relationship that had been kept private until the announcement. The couple welcomed their first child in 2021 and their second in February 2025. As of 2026, they remain married, and Maeno has spoken warmly about fatherhood. [edit]

Maeno's income comes primarily from his voice acting work, which includes anime series, video games, and drama CDs. He earns per-episode fees for anime, with rates that have risen as his career has progressed. His role as Zhongli in Genshin Impact is a significant revenue stream, as the game's global success has led to ongoing royalties and appearance fees for promotional events. He also participates in music projects like Uta no☆Prince-sama♪, which include CD sales and live concerts. With over 300 credits, his annual earnings are substantial. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, as of 2026, his net worth is estimated at $5 Million, a figure that reflects his long career and high demand.[edit]