17 Hollywood Stars You Didn’t Know Voiced Anime Characters
Now that J Balvin has made his mark in Japanese animation, after starring in Crunchyroll’s hit anime series “Solo Leveling,” TheWrap thought it’d be a good idea to list all the Hollywood stars who’ve also lent their voices to the genre.
It already takes a lot of training and focus to be an actor, but one must unlock a new skill in the craft when it comes to voice acting, especially when it comes to anime. And now that anime has risen in popularity, more and more stars are carving out their lane in the industry as voice actors.
All the actors listed voiced roles for the English dub versions of these shows and films, many of which you’ll recognize right off the bat. Here are 17 celebrities who rocked the mic as anime characters.
Bryan Cranston as Isamu Alva Dyson
Anime: “Macross Plus”
Whether it’s film, television or animation, Bryan Cranston always delivers. One of the “Breaking Bad” star’s most notables roles in anime was starring as cocky Earth Federation pilot Isamu Alva Dyson in the sequel to the original anime “Super Dimension Fortress Macross,” “Macross Plus.” The film came out in 1995 and was produced by Studio Nue. You can also hear Cranston’s voice in “Armitage III” and the popular video game “Street Fighter II.”
Where to watch: Hulu
John Cho as The Father
Anime: “Mirai”
John Cho played the character Father in Mamoru Hosoda’s 2018 film. The film follows a young boy who runs away from home after feeling estranged from his family following the birth of his little sister, Mirai. The film was produced by Studio Chizu. Fun fact: Cho starred in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the popular anime series “Cowboy Bebop.”
Where to watch: YouTube, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, Prime Video, Fandango at Home
Samuel L. Jackson as Afro Samurai
Anime: “Afro Samurai”
Samuel L. Jackson carved out his lane in anime when he took on the role of “Afro Samurai,” the show’s title character. The series is based on Takashi Okazaki’s manga of the same name and it premiered in January 2007. It was produced by Gonzo.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, YouTube, Prime Video, Fandango at Home, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV
Carol Burnett as Hara
Anime: “The Secret World of Arrietty”
Oh, yes, the iconic comedian, actress and singer has also lent her voice in anime. In the 2010 film “The Secret Life of Arrietty,” Burnett starred as Hara, the main villain in the movie. The film was directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. The cast also included Amy Poehler and Will Arnett.
Where to watch: Max, The Roku Channel, Hulu, YouTube TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Google Play Movies
LaKeith Stanfield as Yasuke
Anime: “Yasuke”
LaKeith Stanfield’s range as an actor has been witnessed in Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” Jeymes Samuel’s “The Book of Clarence” and more. He extended his talents to Netflix’s “Yasuke” in 2021. The series, which tells the story of a samurai of African descent who must rescue a mysterious girl, was created by LeSean Thomas and was animated by Japanese animation studio MAPPA.
Where to watch: Netflix
Christian Bale as Howl
Anime: “Howl’s Moving Castle”
If he can play an “American Psycho” and a “Dark Knight,” starring as a wizard shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for the multifaceted actor. Bale plays the lead character Howl in Hayao Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle.” The film came out in 2004, and Emily Mortimer and Blythe Danner also provided their voices for the English dub version.
Where to watch: Max, Hulu, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home, Apple TV, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV, YouTube
Dakota Fanning as Satsuki Kusakabe
Anime: “My Neighbor Totoro”
Dakota Fanning gave her voice to the lead character of “My Neighbor Totoro,” another one of Hayao Miyazaki’s hit anime films. It came out in 1988, and fun fact, Fanning’s younger sister, Elle Fanning, starred as Fanning’s younger sister in the movie, Mei.
Where to watch: Max, Hulu, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home, YouTube, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV, Apple TV
Tim Curry as The Cat King
Anime: “The Cat Returns”
If there’s anyone who can shape-shift to perform in any role, it’s iconic actor Tim Curry. Curry lent his voice to Hiroyuki Morita’s “The Cat Returns,” a story about a mystical cat who turns out to be a prince from a royal cat kingdom. The Studio Ghibli movie actually has a few other well-known stars who helped with the English dub, including Anne Hathaway, Kristen Bell, Kristine Sutherland and René Auberjonois. “The Cat Returns” hit the Japanese box office in 2002, but it was released in the U.S. in 2005.
Where to watch: Max, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV, Hulu, Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home
Michael Keaton as Porco Rosso
Anime: “Porco Rosso”
Hayao Miyazaki came back with another hit in 1994 with his fantasy/adventure “Porco Rosso.” For the English dub, Michael Keaton played lead character Porco Rosso, a saavy and brave pilot who was turned into a pig during his time fighting in World War I. He sets off on a new mission to stop sky pirates that are attacking wealthy cruise ships along the Adriatic Sea. It was produced by Studio Ghibli.
Where to watch: Max, Hulu, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home, YouTube, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV, Apple TV
Kirsten Dunst as Kiki
Anime: “Kiki’s Delivery Service”
Kirsten Dunst starred as Kiki, the star of Hayao Miyazaki’s family/fantasy film “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” which tells the story of a 13-year-old who ventures off onto a journey of isolation as part of her witch training. The film was released in 1990 and was produced by Studio Ghibli.
Where to watch: Max, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV, Apple TV, Hulu, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home
James Marsters as Zamasu
Anime: “Dragon Ball Super”
Bringing it back to anime series, James Marsters starred in one of the most popular franchises in all anime history, “Dragon Ball.” In the universe’s second latest installment, “Dragon Ball Super,” Marsters played Zamasu, the apprentice to Supreme Kai. The series ran from 2015 to 2018 and was produced by Toei Animation and Fuji Television Network. Ironically and funny enough, Marsters played King Piccolo in the live-action “Dragon Ball” film “Dragon Ball Evolution.”
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, YouTube, Prime Video, YouTube TV
Patrick Stewart as Dr. Lloyd Steam
Anime: “Steamboy”
Whether it’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek” or Professor X in “X-Men,” one thing Patrick Stewart is going to do is play characters who are in charge or have all the answers. And it was no different with Katsuhiro Otomo’s sci-fi/action flick “Steamboy.” In the 2005 film, Stewart stars as Dr. Lloyd Steam, the grandfather of a young inventor who sends him a mechanical ball that possesses massive power. “Steamboy” was produced by Sunrise and Bandai Visual.” Alfred Molina, Anna Paquin and Kari Wahlgren also starred in the film.
Where to watch: Pluto TV, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home, The Roku Channel, YouTube, Apple TV
Mark Hamill as Colonel Muska
Anime: “Castle in the Sky”
Mark Hamill took on the role of Colonel Muska, a government special agent and the main villain in Hayao Miyazaki’s 1986 film “Castle in the Sky.” It was produced by Studio Ghibli and distributed by Toei. Other notable cast members are James Van Der Beek and Andy Dick.
Where to watch: Max, Hulu, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home, YouTube, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV, Apple TV
Minnie Driver as Lady Eboshi
Anime: “Princess Mononoke”
“The Beekeeper” star Minnie Driver starred as Lady Eboshi, one of the antagonists in Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 film “Princess Mononoke.” She wasn’t the only big name to make the cast; Jada Pinkett Smith, Pamela Adlon, Keith David, Billy Bob Thornton and Claire Danes also provided their voices for the English dub.
Where to watch: Max, Hulu, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Google Play Movies,
Eden Rigel as Rurichiyo Kasumioji
Anime: “Bleach”
Eden Rigel starred as Rurichiyo Kasumioji in the mega-popular anime series “Bleach.” The series was created by Tite Kubo and was produced by TV Tokyo, Dentsu and Pierrot.
Where to watch: Hulu, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video
James Avery as Boss Fang
Anime: “Fist of the North Star”
Late actor James Avery (“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) played Boss Fang in Toyoo Ashida’s martial arts action-fantasy movie “Fist of the North Star.” It came out in 1986 and was produced by Toei Animation, but Avery’s voice is heard in the 1991 English dub.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, YouTube, Prime Video
J Balvin as Kargargan
Anime: “Solo Leveling”
Last but certainly not least is our anime newbie, J Balvin. The five-time Latin Grammy Award-winning singer made his anime debut in the hit series “Solo Leveling,” which was adapted from the South Korean manhwa of the same name. In the series, he stars as High Orc shaman named Kargalgan.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, YouTube, Prime Video, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video
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