The anime One Piece has reached a pivotal moment with the introduction of Joyboy, voiced by an actor returning to the series after 27 years. As One Piece approaches the end of its current story arc, the Egghead Arc, major reveals about the past – including details about the legendary Joyboy – are coming to light, setting the stage for Luffy and the Straw Hat crew’s escape from the tumultuous events unfolding on Dr. Vegapunk’s futuristic island laboratory.
The latest arc of One Piece, focusing on Egghead, has begun to reveal secrets about the long-lost Void Century and the enigmatic figure of Joyboy. The newest episode takes things even further by featuring Joyboy’s voice – and it’s voiced by the same actor who originally played Luffy 27 years ago, before the One Piece anime even started! You can find more details about this surprising casting choice, as highlighted by @pewpiece on X.
One Piece Recruits Luffy for Joyboy’s Voice
JOYBOY’S VOICE FINALLY!!!
— Pew (@pewpiece) November 30, 2025
In One Piece Episode 1151, Luffy transformed into his Gear 5 form again, and his heartbeat connected with the massive robot moving across the island. The robot had been activated before by a heartbeat that reminded it of Joyboy, and Luffy was able to awaken it once more, saving him from one of the Five Elders. During this moment, we hear a glimpse into the robot’s history and, for the first time in the anime, we officially hear Joyboy’s voice—and it sounds remarkably familiar.
The anime One Piece has cast Urara Takano as the voice of Joyboy, a significant choice given her history with the series. Takano was the original voice of Monkey D. Luffy in a special OVA called One Piece – Defeat Him! The Pirate Ganzack! released at the 1998 Jump Festa event. This was before the anime was officially greenlit and Toei Animation was chosen for production, making her casting a particularly nostalgic and meaningful detail for longtime fans.
What Does This Mean for Luffy?
The choice of the original Monkey D. Luffy voice actor to play Joyboy adds another layer to the connection between the two characters. The series has increasingly highlighted the similarities between Luffy and Joyboy, portraying Luffy as a reincarnation of the legendary pirate. Visual cues, like Joyboy’s Straw Hat resembling Luffy’s, already suggested this connection, and now the casting confirms a similar voice, further solidifying the link.
This development brings up a lot of questions about Luffy’s future, but it increasingly suggests he’s a uniquely destined pirate for this era. He isn’t simply following in the path of Gol D. Roger, but rather tracing the steps of a pirate from the long-lost Void Century – someone even more ancient and influential.
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2025-11-30 23:10