The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Ao Tajima’s Hotel Inhumans manga has announced the addition of acclaimed voice actor Kōki Uchiyama to its cast, further solidifying the series’ potential for a compelling narrative. Uchiyama is set to portray Shao, a key character in the anime’s inaugural episode, “Sister Sister,” which premiered on July 6, 2025. This casting decision brings a wealth of talent and a proven track record of captivating performances to the assassin-centric drama.
The World of “Hotel Inhumans”: A Haven for Assassins
Hotel Inhumans plunges viewers into a unique establishment where the clientele consists exclusively of assassins. Far from a typical luxury resort, this hotel provides a comprehensive suite of services tailored to its dangerous guests, including top-class dining, relaxation, entertainment, and crucial amenities such as an ever-fresh arsenal of weapons, false identity creation, and world-class clean-up crews. The manga, created by Ao Tajima, has been serialized online via Shogakukan’s Sunday Webry website since June 2021, with eleven compiled volumes released as of July 2025.
The narrative centers on the hotel’s two concierges, Ikuro Hoshi (voiced by Yūsuke Kobayashi) and Sara Haizaki (voiced by Hinano Shirahama), who are committed to fulfilling every request of their “inhuman” guests without question. The series promises a striking “killing-hotel drama,” exploring the desires and motivations of these individuals on the edge of life and death. Studio Bridge, known for Shaman King (2021), is handling the animation, with Tetsuro Amino (of Macross 7 and Shiki fame) directing, and Shoji Yonemura (renowned for Parasyte -the maxim- and Shaman King 2021) in charge of series scripts.
Kōki Uchiyama as Shao: A Glimpse into the First Episode
Kōki Uchiyama steps into the role of Shao, an assassin who finds himself severely injured after a betrayal during what was intended to be his final job. His urgent request upon arriving at Hotel Inhumans is to be reunited with his younger sister. This initial character arc for Shao sets a poignant and intense tone for the series’ opening. The anime’s official website unveiled an episode visual and teaser promotional video specifically for “Sister Sister,” hinting at the emotional depth Uchiyama is expected to bring to the role.
Uchiyama’s involvement was part of a broader announcement that included a new visual and trailer for the Hotel Inhumans anime, building anticipation for its debut. The series premiered on TV Tokyo and its affiliates on July 6, 2025, with subsequent airings on BS TV Tokyo and AT-X. Crunchyroll is also streaming the series, making it accessible to international audiences.
The Acclaimed Career of Kōki Uchiyama
Kōki Uchiyama is a highly respected and prolific Japanese voice actor, celebrated for his distinctive voice and versatility across a wide range of characters. Born on August 16, 1990, he is affiliated with Himawari Theatre Group. His talent has been recognized with significant accolades, including Best Male Rookie at the 5th Seiyu Awards and a Best Voice Actor award at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival in 2015.
Uchiyama has lent his voice to numerous iconic roles in both anime and video games, often portraying characters with complex personalities, from protagonists to intimidating villains. His extensive filmography includes:
- Kei Tsukishima in Haikyuu!!
- Tomura Shigaraki in My Hero Academia
- Meruem in Hunter × Hunter
- Roxas and Ventus in the Kingdom Hearts series
- Neku Sakuraba in The World Ends with You
- Yuu Otosaka in Charlotte
- Yuri Plisetsky in Yuri!!! on Ice
- Rin Itoshi from Blue Lock
- Toge Inumaki in Jujutsu Kaisen
- Akira Fudo/Devilman in Devilman Crybaby
His ability to capture emotional nuance and deliver powerful performances has made him a fan favorite and a consistently sought-after talent in the industry. Uchiyama’s involvement in Hotel Inhumans is a strong indicator of the production’s commitment to high-quality voice acting and promises a memorable portrayal of Shao within this intriguing new anime.
