
Decrypting the Mastermind Behind "Kaiju No. 8" Reno Ichikawa: How Does Voice Actor Wataru Katō Perfectly Portray This Strongest Rising Star?
With the broadcast of the phenomenal anime 'Kaiju No. 8,' alongside the protagonist Kafka Hibino's growth story drawing attention, the calm and immensely talented junior beside him—Ichikawa Reno—has quickly captured the hearts of many fans. He is not only an important partner to Kafka but also a key character driving the plot. The one who gives this talented newcomer his soul is Japanese voice actor Wataru Katō.

Who is Ichikawa Reno?
In the world of 'Kaiju No. 8', Ichikawa Reno first appears as a colleague at Kafka Hibino's monster cleaning company. He holds a strong dream of becoming a Defense Force member, which contrasts sharply with Kafka, who had nearly given up at the time. Reno is meticulous and highly talented in combat, quickly demonstrating astonishing abilities after joining the Defense Force and being hailed as the 'Strongest Rookie.' Not only is he the first to uncover Kafka's identity as 'Kaiju No. 8,' but he also becomes his most steadfast ally. The interactions and bonds between the two are a major highlight of the series.

The Voice That Gives Soul: New-Generation Skilled Voice Actor Wataru Katō
The voice behind Ichikawa Reno is male voice actor Wataru Katō, affiliated with I'm Enterprise. In August 2023, the official announcement of the main cast confirmed that he would play the role of Ichikawa Reno.
Wataru Katō's voice is clear and magnetic, perfectly matching Reno's outwardly calm yet inwardly passionate character traits. He accurately portrayed Reno's respect and tsukkomi towards his senior Kafka, as well as his composure and determination in battle that surpass his age. Interestingly, Wataru Katō himself mentioned in an interview that during his time at voice acting school, he practiced voicing characters from 'Kaiju No. 8' with classmates, and the character he chose back then was Ichikawa Reno. This official performance can be said to be a dream come true.




