Soramimi Project #7: Maeno Tomoaki 前野智昭

First heard: passer by (Kiniro no Corda ~primo passo~)

First noticed: Doujou Atsushi (Toshokan Sensou)

Memorable characters: Doujou Atsushi (Toshokan Sensou)

Image character: Doujou Atsushi (Toshokan Sensou)

Discernment rate: low to below average

Number of works seen: 16

Maeno Tomoaki is a new seiyuu to me. Even though I've heard him in 16 works, he's only played named characters in five of them, including one where he just appeared in the tricky first episode *cough*Ga-rei Zero*cough*.

According to my favourite source (ja.wikipedia.org, in case you haven't noticed), he was mainly doing dubs and essentially made his break in anime with Toshokan Sensou. Doujou Atsushi is what I remember him mostly by, and both Neko-tan and I were rather impressed by his performance in Toshokan Sensou. Doujou Atsushi is both rational and angry, leaning more toward the angry side when it comes to Kasahara. If he weren't so slow in love, he might even be branded as tsuntere. XD

Speaking of Toshokan Sensou, I mentioned before that it reminded me of GunParade March. Both seem to be battle-oriented at first glance but are love comedy in actuality (okay, so GPM has a lot more grimness and death). Both have really clumsy (in love) lead males regardless of how adept they are in battles, and both have strong-headed lead females that recognize love quicker than the guys and are not afraid to face it. The colour palettes and tones are completely different for both, but the art styles are both simple and clean. Both made me wanting to play/read the original work they're based on. Unfortunately, the Toshokan Sensou novels I have partially managed, but the PS game GPM is simply beyond my reach.

Due to the strong impression of Doujou and the Toshokan Sensou web radio show which Maeno-san co-hosted with Suzuki Tatsuhisa, I've got his solid pitch and real voice down, but I haven't been very successful if the character is soft spoken or calm. I do have high expectations of him so hopefully I'll get to hear him more!