Anime best voice actors

If you’re wondering what truly makes an anime character pop off the screen, it often comes down to the voice behind them. Seriously, those incredible vocal performances, whether in the original Japanese or a fantastic English dub, are what give characters their soul and make us connect with them on a deeper level. To really get a grasp of the magic, you need to know about the amazing talent bringing these animated worlds to life.

In this video, we’re headfirst into the world of anime voice actors, shining a spotlight on the absolute best and most iconic performers from both Japan and the English-speaking world. We’ll explore what makes their craft so special, from their incredible range to the unforgettable emotions they pour into every line. And hey, if you’re ever curious about experimenting with voices yourself, maybe for a project or just for fun, you might want to check out tools like Eleven Labs: Try for Free the Best AI Voices of 2025 – it’s pretty wild what AI can do these days, but trust me, nothing beats the human touch we’re about to celebrate.

Eleven Labs: Try for Free the Best AI Voices of 2025

The Maestros of Emotion: Japan’s Best Voice Actors Seiyuu

When it comes to anime, the original Japanese voice actors, or seiyuu, are held in incredibly high regard, and for good reason! Their dedication to their craft is legendary, often involving years of intense training to perfect their vocal control, emotional range, and ability to embody a vast array of characters. These performers don’t just speak lines. they become the characters, making us laugh, cry, and cheer right along with them.

One of the coolest things about the Japanese voice acting scene is how many seiyuu have incredible longevity, with some legends continuing to voice iconic roles for decades. It’s truly a testament to their skill and passion.

Iconic Male Japanese Voice Actors

Let’s talk about some of the male seiyuu who have carved out unforgettable legacies:

• Yuki Kaji: This guy is a powerhouse! You’d know his signature scream as Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan, but he’s also voiced Shoto Todoroki in My Hero Academia, Meliodas in The Seven Deadly Sins, and Speed-o’-Sound Sonic in One-Punch Man. Yuki Kaji has been prolific since 2004, and his ability to infuse characters with raw emotion is just incredible.
• Hiroshi Kamiya: If you’re into characters with a deep, husky, and sometimes understated intensity, then you’ve probably heard Hiroshi Kamiya. He’s famously the voice of Levi Ackerman in Attack on Titan and Trafalgar Law in One Piece. He’s known for bringing a reserved yet impactful presence to his roles.
• Kenjiro Tsuda: Talk about a voice that oozes cool and versatility! Kenjiro Tsuda has been a prominent figure since 1995, known for roles like Kento Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen, Seto Kaiba in Yu-Gi-Oh, and Overhaul in My Hero Academia. His smooth, deep voice can be alluring or menacing, depending on what the character needs. He even won the Best Lead Actor Award at the 15th Seiyu Awards.
• Mamoru Miyano: This man is pure talent, able to voice both heroes and villains with equal finesse. He’s the ruthless psychopath Light Yagami from Death Note and the easygoing scientist Rintaro Okabe from Steins. Gate. His performances are always captivating.
• Akira Ishida: Renowned for his extraordinary vocal range, Akira Ishida has voiced iconic characters like Gaara in Naruto, Judeau in Berserk, and Zeref Dragneel in Fairy Tail. He can easily embody a wide range of characters while often making his recognizable voice disappear into the role.
• Daisuke Ono: With a strong, deep, masculine voice, Daisuke Ono is known for tough guys like Jotaro Kujo in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Commander Erwin Smith in Attack on Titan. He really brings out the fierce intensity in those roles.
• Jun Fukuyama: If you love characters with swag or deep emotional arcs, Jun Fukuyama is your guy. He’s famous for Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass and Koro-sensei in Assassination Classroom. He’s a multiple-time winner of Best Male Voice Actor awards.

Brilliant Female Japanese Voice Actors

The female seiyuu are just as impactful, often showcasing incredible range and the ability to portray characters across genders and age groups.

• Masako Nozawa: This name is legendary! Masako Nozawa is arguably the most famous anime voice actor, widely recognized for voicing Son Goku, Gohan, and Goten in the Dragon Ball franchise. She’s been doing it for decades and has even earned Guinness World Records for her long-standing role. Fans affectionately call her “The Eternal Boy.”
• Megumi Hayashibara: Widely considered one of the highest-paid voice actors in Japan, Megumi Hayashibara is a true legend. She’s voiced Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Jessie in Pokémon, and Faye Valentine in Cowboy Bebop. Her versatility and unique voice make her stand out.
• Kana Hanazawa: Her voice has a soft, gentle quality that can also become incredibly strong when needed. Kana Hanazawa has lent her voice to countless roles since 2003, including Mitsuri Kanroji in Demon Slayer, Yukino Yukinoshita in My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, and Nadeko Sengoku in the Monogatari series. She’s also a prominent singer.
• Rie Takahashi: A superstar of the modern anime scene, Rie Takahashi is fantastic at inhabiting a wide variety of “waifu” characters, including Megumin from KonoSuba, Emilia from Re:Zero, and Hu Tao in Genshin Impact. Her performances are always full of life and charm.
• Saori Hayami: Saori Hayami possesses a powerful yet melodious voice, perfect for roles like Yor Forger in Spy x Family, Shinobu Kocho in Demon Slayer, and Yukino Yukinoshita in My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU. She’s also an accomplished singer and songwriter.
• Mayumi Tanaka: Another veteran whose voice brings incredible energy to every role. Mayumi Tanaka is best known as Monkey D. Luffy in One Piece, a role she’s held since 1999. She also voiced Krillin in Dragon Ball and Pazu in Laputa: Castle in the Sky. She won the Kazue Takahashi Memorial Award for her influence on anime.
• Romi Park: Known for her ability to voice both male and female roles, Romi Park has given us iconic characters like Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist and Hange Zoë in Attack on Titan. Her fierce and determined voice is instantly recognizable.
• Junko Takeuchi: The enthusiastic voice behind Naruto Uzumaki in Naruto. Her energetic delivery and iconic catchphrases like “Dattebayo!” made Naruto unforgettable. She also voices Akamaru in the same series, showing her versatility.

Eleven Labs: Try for Free the Best AI Voices of 2025 Best AI Voice Generator App for iPhone: Your Ultimate Guide to Realistic Voices on the Go

Bringing Anime to the West: The Best English Dub Voice Actors

While some fans prefer subtitles, English dubs have become incredibly popular, allowing a wider audience to enjoy anime in their native language. The English voice acting community has grown immensely, with talented individuals dedicating themselves to matching the intensity and emotion of the original Japanese performances. It’s a challenging job to localize humor, nuance, and character personalities, but these actors do an incredible job.

Standout Male English Voice Actors

These male VAs have brought countless anime heroes and villains to life for Western audiences:

• Johnny Yong Bosch: From his start as the Black Ranger in Power Rangers to becoming an anime icon, Johnny Yong Bosch is a staple in English dubs. He’s the voice of Ichigo Kurosaki in Bleach, Vash the Stampede in Trigun, and Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass. His deep voice and ability to portray a wide range of emotions make him a fan favorite.
• Christopher Sabat: A true powerhouse, Christopher Sabat has over 600 voice acting roles! He’s legendary for voicing Vegeta, Piccolo, and Shenron in the Dragon Ball franchise. He also plays Roronoa Zoro in One Piece and All Might in My Hero Academia. His booming, commanding voice is instantly recognizable.
• Sean Schemmel: You can’t talk about English dubs without mentioning the voice of Goku himself! Sean Schemmel’s iconic portrayal of Goku in Dragon Ball Z/Super has made him one of the most identifiable figures in all of anime. He captures Goku’s charm and depth perfectly.
• Matthew Mercer: With a smooth, charismatic voice, Matthew Mercer is incredibly popular. He’s best known for voicing Levi Ackerman in Attack on Titan and Kiritsugu Emiya in Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works. His talent extends to video games and Critical Role, showcasing his dynamic range.
• Bryce Papenbrook: This guy often voices exceedingly passionate characters. He’s brought to life Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan, Kirito in Sword Art Online, and Rin Okumura in Blue Exorcist. He’s still relatively new but has quickly become a fan favorite.
• J. Michael Tatum: Known for his sophisticated and sometimes eccentric characters, Tatum made his anime debut in Initial D. He’s famous for Erwin Smith in Attack on Titan, Eneru in One Piece, and Okabe Rintaro in Steins.Gate. He’s also an ADR director and scriptwriter.

Talented Female English Voice Actors

These female VAs have left an undeniable mark on English dubs, bringing depth and personality to diverse characters:

• Laura Bailey: Her resume is super impressive. Laura Bailey started by voicing Kid Trunks in Dragon Ball Z and has gone on to play characters like Lust in Fullmetal Alchemist, Tohru Honda in Fruits Basket, and Maka Albarn in Soul Eater. She’s also huge in video games.
• Colleen Clinkenbeard: Colleen was introduced to anime voice acting by Laura Bailey and has become a powerhouse herself. She’s the voice of Monkey D. Luffy in One Piece the English dub!, Erza Scarlet in Fairy Tail, and Gohan adult in Dragon Ball Z Kai. Her role as Hana from Wolf Children earned her a People’s Choice Award.
• Monica Rial: With an extensive English dub career, Monica Rial is almost ubiquitous in the anime community. She’s known for young, spritely characters like Bulma in the Dragon Ball franchise, Yona in Yona of the Dawn, and Tsuyu Asui from My Hero Academia. She can transform her voice for more mature and complex roles too.
• Abby Trott: Best known and celebrated for her role as Nezuko in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Riko Aida in Kuroko’s Basketball. She’s voiced characters in over 60 shows and films and has won awards for her performances.
• Caitlin Glass: Caitlin Glass has been an anime voice actor for decades. Some of her most notable roles include Haruhi Fujioka from Ouran High School Host Club and Winry Rockbell from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. She also voices Mina Ashido from My Hero Academia and Damian Desmond from Spy x Family. Her lengthy filmography is a testament to her talent.

Eleven Labs: Try for Free the Best AI Voices of 2025

The Art of Voice Acting: More Than Just Talking

What makes these voice actors truly great? It’s not just about having a “nice voice.” It’s about a combination of incredible skills: The Best AI Personal Assistant App for Android: Your Ultimate Guide for 2025

• Range and Versatility: The best VAs can effortlessly switch between different character types, ages, and genders, sometimes even within the same show! Masako Nozawa voicing Goku, Gohan, and Goten is a prime example.
• Emotional Depth: They bring profound emotion to their performances, making you feel the characters’ joy, sorrow, anger, and fear. Think of Yuki Kaji’s powerful cries as Eren or Laura Bailey’s heartfelt portrayals.
• Character Connection: A great voice actor becomes one with the character. They understand the nuances of their personality, their motivations, and their quirks, and they translate that understanding into their vocal performance.
• Breath Control and Stamina: Voicing intense battle scenes or emotional monologues requires incredible breath control and stamina, especially when recording for long hours.

Eleven Labs: Try for Free the Best AI Voices of 2025

Behind the Mic: What it Really Takes

The anime voice acting industry is intense, especially in Japan. It’s a highly competitive field where only a small percentage truly make it big.

In Japan, there’s a unique ranking system for seiyuu, from “F” rookies to “A” highest ranked, with “No Rank” individuals who can set their own price. Rookie voice actors might start at around 15,000 yen about $100 USD for a 30-minute episode, while an “A” ranked seiyuu could earn around 45,000 yen about $300 USD per episode. However, these are fixed rates per episode, regardless of how many lines they have. Many seiyuu, particularly those starting out, often juggle part-time jobs to make ends meet. It’s a far cry from the image of instant fame and fortune. Statistics show that roughly half of officially debuted voice actors in Japan make less than 1 million yen about $6,500 USD per year.

Recently, there’s been some buzz about a new tax system in Japan causing concern, with some estimates suggesting 27% of animation voice actors might consider leaving the business due to increased tax burdens and potential for diminished work opportunities. There’s also a growing trend, similar to Hollywood, where voice actors might be hired based on their social media following rather than solely on skill, making an already tough industry even harder to navigate.

Despite these challenges, the passion and dedication of these voice actors are unwavering. They invest heavily in training, hone their skills through endless auditions which have a low acceptance rate, around 3%!, and work tirelessly to bring our beloved characters to life. Best AI Personal Assistant for Android: Your Ultimate Guide

Eleven Labs: Try for Free the Best AI Voices of 2025

The Future of Voices: Human Talent vs. AI

As technology advances, you might be thinking about AI voice generation. It’s true, tools like Eleven Labs are getting incredibly sophisticated, offering fantastic options for creators who need high-quality voiceovers for various projects. They can mimic different accents, tones, and even emotions, which is pretty mind-blowing! If you’re looking to explore what’s possible with artificial voices, you can totally check out Eleven Labs: Try for Free the Best AI Voices of 2025 – it’s a great way to experiment with creating realistic speech.

However, when it comes to the soul and nuances of anime characters, the human element is irreplaceable. The best voice actors bring an emotional intelligence, a spontaneity, and a depth of understanding that AI just can’t fully replicate yet!. That subtle sigh, the barely-there tremor in a voice, the perfect comedic timing – these are the things that make a performance truly human and why the talent we’ve discussed today will always be at the heart of anime. AI is a fantastic tool, but the magic of a human voice actor connecting with a character on a profound level is something truly special.

Eleven Labs: Try for Free the Best AI Voices of 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are some of the most popular anime voice actors of all time?

Many names consistently pop up when talking about the most popular anime voice actors. In Japan, legends like Masako Nozawa Goku, Yuki Kaji Eren Yeager, Hiroshi Kamiya Levi Ackerman, Kenjiro Tsuda Kento Nanami, and Kana Hanazawa Mitsuri Kanroji are incredibly influential. For English dubs, stars like Johnny Yong Bosch Ichigo Kurosaki, Christopher Sabat Vegeta, Sean Schemmel Goku, and Laura Bailey Tohru Honda are among the most recognizable and beloved. Best Free AI Voice Generator for Android: Unlock Your Creative Potential

How much do anime voice actors make?

The earnings of anime voice actors can vary wildly. In Japan, there’s a ranking system, with entry-level actors making significantly less than top-tier “No Rank” seiyuu who can set their own prices. A rookie might earn around 15,000 yen about $100 USD per 30-minute episode, while an “A” ranked actor could get around 45,000 yen about $300 USD per episode. Some of the absolute highest-paid Japanese voice actors, like Masako Nozawa and Ryo Horikawa, have estimated net worths in the tens of millions due to their long careers and iconic roles. English dub actors’ salaries depend on factors like union membership, experience, and the size of the project, often involving session fees and residuals.

Who are the best female anime voice actors in Japanese and English?

For Japanese voice acting, Masako Nozawa Goku, Megumi Hayashibara Rei Ayanami, Kana Hanazawa Mitsuri Kanroji, Rie Takahashi Megumin, and Saori Hayami Yor Forger are widely celebrated for their incredible range and iconic roles. In English dubs, Laura Bailey Tohru Honda, Colleen Clinkenbeard Luffy in One Piece, Monica Rial Bulma, Abby Trott Nezuko, and Caitlin Glass Haruhi Fujioka are among the most talented and prolific female performers.

Is it better to watch anime dubbed or subbed?

This is a classic debate among anime fans! “Subbed” watching with original Japanese voices and subtitles often offers the purest experience of the original vocal performances and nuances. “Dubbed” watching with voices in your native language, like English allows you to focus solely on the visuals without reading, making it easier to multitask or enjoy with others who don’t prefer reading. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Many modern English dubs are exceptionally high quality, thanks to the talented voice actors dedicated to the craft.

How do anime voice actors bring so much emotion to their characters?

Anime voice actors are masters of their craft, using a combination of intense training, deep character study, and remarkable vocal control to convey emotion. They often work closely with directors to understand the character’s motivations and feelings for each scene. This allows them to manipulate pitch, tone, volume, and pacing to deliver performances that can make audiences laugh, cry, or feel intense excitement, making the animated characters truly come alive. Their dedication to embodying the character’s soul is what makes their performances so impactful.

Which country has the best voice actors