The Magic of Hosoya Yoshimasa’s Singing Voice
I stumbled upon a new Hosoyan song (which is not really new, but I just happened to hear it for the first time) which left me so impressed that my feelings just went overflowing that I found the need to write this post. :D
Note: This post is very personal. These are my own thoughts and opinions so people may actually disagree but at least to me, these are facts. Now whaatt
Hosoyan may not get as much spotlight as the others, but I am proudly claiming that his singing voice is one of the best in the seiyuu business. And I said one of, because Taniyama Kishou produces the best sound in the planet while Miyano Mamoru’s singing voice is the definition of a beautiful voice. Now back to Hosoyan (lol sorry I needed to point those two out), he may not be at par with the likes of the two, but Hosoyan’s voice is special in his own way. At least for me, his voice has the power to make any song sound good. More often than not, whenever I discover a song sang by Hosoyan, I get to like it by the first time I heard it; at times even just by hearing the first few lines of the song (and I am not exaggerating). This is the magic that not even Kiiyan and Mamo can do to me, even though I know that those two’s singing voices are more beautiful. And anyway, this does not only apply to Hosoyan’s solo songs; he can actually influence duets and group songs too.
I actually learned about Hosoyan first when I first heard Yamazaki Sousuke’s character song in FREE! I was not a Sousuke fan, but when I heard his song, I immediately searched for his seiyuu. The moment was like, Oh my gosh he actually sounds this good when he sings??? Ok wait who is this person I need to know who is he google tell me! And that’s when this loop of falling in love over and over again began.
While most of Hosoyan’s songs are really damn good, these are my personal favorites: (The titles lead to links of the songs)
Just Wanna Know - Yamazaki Sousuke (FREE!)
While Ashita e no Last Race was the first Hosoyan song I heard and introduced me to Hosoyan, I give Just Wanna Know the credit for being the root of everything. It was a first time for me to have only one song played on repeat for the whole day. That’s how much I loved it. That’s how much I love his voice. And the lyrics were a good bonus because I was able to understand Sousuke’s character better. I really, highly recommend this song.
Kimi, Mai Oriru - Uduki Arata (Tsukiuta)
This is one of the songs that I loved just by hearing the first line for the first time. Like, Oh my gosh? Does anyone still have doubts about Hosoyan’s singing voice? Even after a long time of knowing this song, hearing the first line just feels like the first time again. And I get reminded of the blessing called Hosoyan’s voice. This is the song I want to sing to Hosoyan if ever I meet him face to face. I actually watched the anime because of this song.
Maverick - Kira Rintarou (Kenka Banchou Otome)
Again, one of those songs I get to love from the first line. As soon as the instrumental intro starts, the song is releasing such happy vibes and ofc Hosoyan’s voice soon delivers that. Again, I am currently supporting the anime because of this.
Angel Lost - Tengenji Kakeru (Starmyu)
It took me some time before knowing that this song actually has a full version - meaning I fell in love with just the 30-second clip from the anime I chanced upon on Youtube. This actually led me to watching the whole anime series. Oh Tavian
Boku ni Totte - Knife of Day (Digimon Adventure Tri)
This sounds a bit different from the aforementioned as this seems to be a band song and Hosoyan commendably pulls it off, of course. And ofc, the last line *wink wink*
Sekai o Teki ni Mawashitemo - Seiya Moroboshi (I Doll U)
I swear, even if the world becomes my enemy, I’ll never get tired of saying that Hosoyan’s voice is really one of the best.
Song For You - Shiraishi Kuranosuke (The Prince of Tennis)
This is my all-time favorite Hosoyan song, no, let me rephrase that. This is my favorite song of all time. The most played song on my playlist, the one on repeat during the nights I can’t sleep, the one that can calm me down when I’m irritated, the song I sought after whether I’m feeling happy or sad. I don’t know why, I really don’t know why out of all of Hosoyan’s songs, Song For You takes this spot in my heart. It feels like it’s digging me inside, healing my soul. Important note: While the link leads to the song’s album version, the better and the best version is the live version, which is what I have on my playlist. It was the live version that made me love this song to this extent so please, please, listen to the live version which is on the following link:
Shiraishi Kuranosuke Live
It is said that Shiraishi paved the way for Hosoyan’s name to be known in the business. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to watch Tenipuri as a child and it’s hard for me to keep up now, but I am aware of how big this franchise is. And also, this special live event is an enough indication of how big Shiraishi is. Shiraishi is not the main character, he’s not even in the protagonist’s team but he, of all the characters, held his own live in Fukuoka, Osaka, and Tokyo. I am totally jealous of the people who were able to come to this live. This is 2 hours of Hosoyan singing live. I cried just by watching it on the screen, what more if I were there? I am just so proud of this precious child.
Personal favorites from Shiraishi’s live: Song for You (duh ofc), Get Started, Go on, Prayer, Bible, Ashiato, Speed Star, Like Bored Days, No Muda Life, ok let me stop now before I include everything in the list
I’ve never heard Hosoyan sing live, and I don’t know if I will ever have that opportunity because unlike other seiyuus, he is technically not a singer who host live concerts. And even seiyuu events rarely have a singing segment or some sort. But based from some clips and that Shiraishi live I have watched and heard, I do believe that Hosoyan sounds better live. I don’t want the softwares doing some editing stuff on his voice; I want it raw and natural together with the flats or whatever flaws he does.
Kagirinaku Toumei ni Chikai Kuro - Giran & Yurian (Black Wolves Saga)
Ultimate dream duet Taniyama Kishou and Hosoya Yoshimasa!!!! I literally screamed when I found out that such a song exists! I’ve heard Kiiyan and Mamo sing duet a few times but it just seems that their voices do not blend that well together, maybe because of too much beauty and power? But with Hosoyan, even a duet with Kiiyan is something he can do well and results to a good song.
Here We Go! - Hyuuga Junpei & Kiyoshi Teppei (Kuroko no Basuke)
Hosoyan can rap! OMG with that voice, with that personality lolol, he can rap! I’m really so proud of youuuu!!
Rebellion Star - Trickstar (Ensemble Stars)
Again, I fell in love from the first line. This is a group song and again, it has been decided that I will be watching this anime and Hokuto will be my bias. But wait Hokuto’s seiyuu was replaced in the game, what will happen to the anime huhuhu
This YT AV edit is such a blessing: Yoshimasa Hosoya - Song Compilation Roles
Hosoyan is currently taking a rest from work due to medical problems. As much as it hurts me that I won’t be hearing him for the next one or two anime seasons, I am praying for his good health more than anything else. Oh my, this guy has been working too much. I understand that he needs this time very much, so please do come back when you have fully rested. Continue doing what you love - be it acting, singing, or anything - we’ll always be here to support you. *hugs*
