Fan of actor from Fate, Bleach, and Detective Conan franchises wanted to hire an imitator, but got a response from the actor himself.
With schools on summer vacation, a lot of people in Japan are looking for part-time jobs to earn a little extra cash during their break. Working in the retail or food service are two of the most common options, but Japanese Twitter user Miku (@_sxR16xo on Twitter) tweeted an offer for a position that’s much more unique, and also lucrative.
Miku is an anime fan, and particularly enamored with voice actor Ryotaro Okiayu, whose roles include Fate/Zero’s Berserker, Prince of Tennis’ Kunimitsu, Bleach’s Byakuya, and Detective Conan/Case Closed’s Fumimaro. Miku is so fond of Okiayu’s voice that she could listen to it all day long, and in hopes of achieving that dream, or at least a reasonable imitation of it, she sent out the following tweet.
https://twitter.com/_sxR16xo/status/1020156962808389632“I want to hire someone who can impersonate Ryutaro Okiayu’s voice. If there’s anyone out there who can, will you do a gig at my house? I’ll pay you one million yen [US$8,900] for the day.”
That’s an astounding sum of money for one day of part-time pretend voice acting work. As a matter of fact, it’s so high that you might think it goes beyond amateur status and is actually professional-level, and you’d be totally right, since less than two hours after Miku posted her tweet, she got a response from…
100万出したら本人を何人も余裕で雇えますが♪(笑)
— 置鮎龍太郎 (おきあゆりょうたろう) (@chikichikiko) July 20, 2018
…Okiayu himself!
The veteran voice actor replied with:
“If you’re paying one million yen, most voice actors themselves will be happy to accept the offer.”
Oddly enough, Miku hasn’t replied directly to Okiayu’s message, though she did later tweet “I love [Detective Conan’s] Fumimaro more than anyone else in the world, so for him, I’d be willing to spend as much as I can.”
▼ Fumimaro
Fumimaro Ayanokoji :D #DC pic.twitter.com/XRDM4e3MAi
— Aisyah Lavigne✌ (@aisyahlavignee) December 30, 2014
Whether she’s actually going to put her money where her mouth is remains to be seen, but in the meantime, if you’re an anime fan with a spare million yen burning a hole in your pocket, and there aren’t any life-size figures you want to buy, Okiayu will be happy to take that money off your hands.
Source: Twitter/@_sxR16xo via Jin

Oddly epic chicken-tuna battle commercial features two legendary voice actors in animal mode
Voice actor charms net again with his drawing of a Studio Ghibli character he voiced
Veteran anime voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi displays hidden artistic talent… yet again!
Nine famous anime voice actors turning 50 this year, including the voice of Sailor Moon
Anime fans rank the top 10 voice actors who get female fans fired up: Is your fave on the list?
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Bonsai-tree-flavored gin on sale now
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Japan’s top 10 open-air hot spring baths with cherry blossom views【Survey】
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Possibly the sweetest anime voice actress ever meets fan on the train, makes their day, maybe life
Here’s what happens when Cowboy Bebop’s star voice actor tries imitating a bird【Video】
Anime voice actress announces marriage, fans start getting rid of her merchandise the next day
Anime voice actress tells fan there’s not a woman in the world who’d be willing to marry him
Japanese smart mirror with sexy anime voice will feed women compliments, read their moods【Video】
Evangelion voice actress reveals she’s been waiting 11 years for free condoms she was promised