I Will Never Forgive This: One Piece Voice Actor’s Wife Fires Back at Insensitive Criticism
Before stepping down as Franky’s Japanese voice in One Piece, Kazuki Yao was reportedly blasted by close colleagues for not being at his best — you’re not cool, just quit already — prompting a swift response from his wife Natsuki Hayashi.
This one hurts. Before Kazuki Yao stepped away from voicing Franky in One Piece, there was drama behind the curtain, and it came from close to home. His wife and manager, Natsuki Hayashi, just put it all out there on X, and yeah, it is not pretty.
What happened
On Dec 8, 2025, Hayashi posted that, before Yao exited the role, some of the people working closest with him criticized his performance while he was struggling through treatment. She did not name anyone, but she quoted what was said to him.
'You are not cool! Just quit already!'
Hayashi says she will never forgive the people who said that. Again, she is not just his spouse here; she is also his manager. The posts came from her account @natsuking62.
The health context she spelled out
By the time Yao retired from playing Franky, his health had clearly taken a hit. According to Hayashi, the treatments left him noticeably thinner and, at times, unable to speak the way he wanted. That inevitably bled into the work. A few fans online mentioned hearing a difference, but the broader reaction stayed supportive. The guy was pushing himself hard to keep going.
What she told fans after the posts
- Critiques about diction are fair game for someone who makes a living speaking, she said, but blasting him under those circumstances felt off.
- She called his voice one-of-a-kind and argued there are roles where that uniqueness shines, especially with the right director and engineers. Voice acting is more than just reading lines.
- She feels plenty of people still want to hear Yao’s voice and invited casting offers.
- To be crystal clear, she also said Eiichiro Oda, the One Piece anime staff, and the other Straw Hat voice actors stood by Yao. She called them 'true comrades' in both public and private life.
Why this stings
It is rough to hear that some of the folks around him were that harsh while he was fighting through treatment. That kind of behind-the-scenes stuff lands like a gut punch, especially for fans who adore his Franky. If you love One Piece, you do not pile on the people bringing it to life. Simple as that.
Where this leaves Yao
Stepping down was his call, and it deserves respect. He knew his limits and made the choice he thought was best for himself and for the audience. That thoughtfulness tracks with the way he carried the character for years: dedicated, humble, considerate. Sounds like the kind of person you want representing the world of One Piece.
If you want to revisit Franky and the crew
All current One Piece episodes are streaming on Crunchyroll, and you can read the manga on Viz Media.