Johnny Yong Bosch is one of my all-time favorite VA's for anime. He's a great voice actor, especially when it comes to heroic characters. What follows is my top 9 favorite Johnny Yong Bosch characters. Why 9? Because that's all I've seen. Yes, I know about his role in Naruto, but it's so small I decided not to mention it. Anyway, here we go:
9)Adam (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, MIghty Morphin Power Rangers: the Movie, Power Rangers Zeo, Power Rangers Turbo, Power Rangers in Space, Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive) This is probably the most well-known role Bosch has had outside of anime. Adam was the Black Power Ranger. He replaced Zack, who was really nothing more than the "token black kid". Let's face it, the only way a Power Ranger can have depth is to be either the Black Ranger or be the final Ranger to join the team. Bosch should be commended for being able to do so much with so little to go on. Adam was basically the never-say-die kid and Bosch played him well.
8)Kaneda (Akira) To be honest, I'm not a big fan of Akira. Now before you rabid otakus break down my door. I will say I have seen two other Katsuhiro Otomo movies that I did like: Steamboy and Memories. Kaneda was the only thing I liked about Akira. This motorcycle punk anti-hero was a great preparation for another role I'm bringing up later.
7) Rossiu (Gurren Lagann) Rossiu is a rarity in anime: a giant robot pilot who isn't prone to panic attacks. Rossiu starts art as a boy looking for direction and Bosch plays this character very well.
6)Renton Thurston (Eureka 7) Renton is a great charater. He is a true hero who doesn't give up. Plus, he's got a cute girlfriend.
5)Kiba (Wolf's Rain)Kiba is one of Bosch's favorite characters and who can blame him? It's probably earned him a lot of fan mail from bishonen-crazy girls. Kiba is searching for the same thing many of us are: Paradise. For that reason, many views can sympathize with him, which may explain why he's such a popular character.
4) Claus Valca (Last Exile) Claus is another rarity. Usually a character as young as Claus is voiced by a woman. This was a chance for Bosch to show his range, and he did a great job showing us a kid who never backs down.
3)Ichigo Kurasawi (Bleach) Give Bosch some credit. I've actually watched some subtitled episodes of Bleach and I have to say Bosch comes pretty close to the original's pitch. Bosch had some preparation for Ichigo when he played Kaneda: they're both punks who are forced into becoming unlikely heroes.
2)Lelouch Lamprouge (Code Geass) Lelouch is a complex character. He is a source of inspiration for several of his fellow "Elevens" who've become his followers. This despite the fact that he has put innocent lives in danger. You almost don't want to root for this guy. Bosch is having the time for his life playing this kid, and it shows.
1) Vash the Stampede (Trigun) Vash is a strange one: one moment, he's a donut-loving buffoon; the next, a compassionate man who'd rather not resort to violence. Bosch captures both sides of Vash well. I think Bosch saw the parallels between Trigun and the message of Christianity and used them well. Vash is a Christ figure: he is an innocent man who is immortal and is persecuted despite his innocense. Bosch is actually a devout Christian, so he understands this and that's why I think this is his best role.
So there you have it, all my favorite Johnny Yong Bosch characters. Next up: Cartoon Network goes live-action?
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