Stark's Rise From Third to First
Japanese entertainment site Anime Anime ran a reader poll asking fans to name their favorite Chiaki Kobayashi character, timed to the voice actor's June 4 birthday. A total of 371 fans responded between May 20 and May 27, with the audience skewing roughly 90 percent female and heavily under 30.
Stark, the cowardly-but-dependable warrior from Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, took first place with about 19 percent of the vote after finishing third in last year's poll. Respondents praised Kobayashi's ability to pivot between Stark's sheepish everyday personality and his battle-ready composure. Multiple voters singled out Season 2 highlights: Stark's awkward first date with Fern, and his team-up with Genau to take down a demon. Fans frequently contrasted his early self-deprecation with his quiet confidence later on.
Deuce Holds, Mash Drops
Deuce Spade from Disney Twisted Wonderland kept his second-place finish with about 14 percent, matching last year. Voters highlighted the tension between Deuce's studious goals and the street-tough personality he tries to keep buried. Several longtime Twisted Wonderland players pointed out that Kobayashi's performance in last year's anime adaptation on Disney+ brought subtle new shadings to lines that already existed in the mobile game.
Mash Burnedead from Mashle: Magic and Muscles dropped from first to third at around 8 percent. Fans credited Kobayashi's deadpan delivery for selling the magic-less strongman's comedic appeal, calling out his trademark "Funfunfunfun" workout chant and his ability to sound natural while talking through a mouthful of cream puffs.
The rest of the top ten mixed veteran and newer roles: Tsujinaka Yoshiki from The Summer Hikaru Died (4th), Nakamura Okuto from Go For It, Nakamura!! (5th), Gabimaru from Hell's Paradise (8th), and Langa from SK8 the Infinity (10th). While the top three characters matched last year's set, the shuffled order shows how much a strong broadcast season can move the needle.
Looking Ahead
Kobayashi, who debuted around 2017 and won Best New Actor at the 15th Seiyuu Awards in 2021, currently stars in multiple Spring 2026 anime including Go For It, Nakamura!!, Akane-banashi, and The Ramparts of Ice. Both of his top-ranked roles have confirmed returns: Mashle Season 3 arrives in 2027, and Frieren Season 3 covering the Golden Land arc premieres in October 2027. The Summer Hikaru Died also has a confirmed second season.
For international viewers, Frieren streams on Crunchyroll, Mashle is available on Crunchyroll, and Disney Twisted Wonderland: The Animation streams exclusively on Disney+. The Summer Hikaru Died is on Netflix. Kobayashi also hosts the radio show Kobayashi Chiaki no PARTY x PARTY on Bunka Hoso, and a premium talk show event is scheduled for June 14 at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka.