How do you feel about voice actor changes?

[e_nico]

More and more of the titles I enjoy have had their main voice actors replaced.

No matter the reason, I often find it hard to accept a change in the main voice cast.

When a character's voice changes, they feel like a completely different person to me, and I just can't get used to it. Because of that, I often stop watching, playing, or listening—though not always.

I don't blame the new voice actors at all. I know there are many reasons for these changes, such as retirement, health issues, aging, the original voice actor passing away, budget constraints, scandals, or efforts to attract new fans.

How do you feel about this?

 

[heishoumao]

If they get a sound-alike, I can get used to it, but a lot of the time they look for a cheap(ish) replacement that totally doesnt work for the character anyway... It still doesn't really work for me, though.

Voice acting is so integral to a character that replacing it ends up a losing game - Getting attached to a character means getting attached to their voice acting, and "getting attached" is an integral part of the otome genre . . .

 

[おしゃもじ]

Hello. It can't be helped, but it's very sad. The more you like a character, the greater the shock.

 

[6161xx]

Having the voice actor replaced is really unpleasant, especially when the voice and character have already merged perfectly. If the new voice actor is skilled enough, I might gradually accept it later, but some just imitate the previous actor's way of dubbing, which makes it feel like there's a thorn in your ear.

 

[nerim-w]

I know it cant be helped sometimes but its very unfortunate, no hate to the new VAs though.

I remember when THE Satou Takuya (aka the Beyonce of otome cds) who was voicing Zayne from LADS got removed because CN fans found out he visited the Yasukuni shrine in 2009 (which enshrined japanese war criminals from WWII). From his blog post it doesnt sound like he purposely went there because he supported japanese war crimes but unfortunately it was still a pretty ignorant thing to do. Sad situation honestly

 

[osanajimimi]

I remember when THE Satou Takuya (aka the Beyonce of otome cds) who was voicing Zayne from LADS got removed because CN fans found out he visited the Yasukuni shrine in 2009 (which enshrined japanese war criminals from WWII). From his blog post it doesnt sound like he purposely went there because he supported japanese war crimes but unfortunately it was still a pretty ignorant thing to do. Sad situation honestly

That's a whole topic about the relationship between china and japan. Sadly, when a voice actor even visits a place like that, Chinese companies can literally ban them. It's pretty drastic. And in both cases, they have their reasons.

Answering the question, if it happened to a character I like, I'd just have to be strong. Seiyuus' voices usually don't age. A good example is Midorikawa Hikaru. Just look at his current roles and his range.

There are different cases where they change voice actors, and in those cases, I hope they find someone fitting who understands and embodies the character instead of trying to be a copy.

 

[lorca]

I've just accepted that recasts are just something you eventually get used to as VAs are also human. But if I'm being honest, there's always a part of me comparing them to the original and thinking the previous one sounds better ww

Whether I stick with a series really depends on why the recast happened. If I can't get behind the reason, that's usually where I walk away from. Games and animes are my escape, I don't want behind-the-scenes drama following me into them.

Mononoke was a good recent example. Replacing VA who'd been involved in a scandal from a role about protecting women did make sense, but bringing him back silently felt like the staff underestimated how controversial that decision would be. They probably saw it as fan service, but ended up reopening the entire debate instead

 

[amazingzoe]

That's a whole topic about the relationship between china and japan. Sadly, when a voice actor even visits a place like that, Chinese companies can literally ban them. It's pretty drastic. And in both cases, they have their reasons.

Answering the question, if it happened to a character I like, I'd just have to be strong. Seiyuus' voices usually don't age. A good example is Midorikawa Hikaru. Just look at his current roles and his range.

There are different cases where they change voice actors, and in those cases, I hope they find someone fitting who understands and embodies the character instead of trying to be a copy.

I mean there are also a lot of pressure and expectations on the new voice actor to sounds like the old one too. Personally I am open to both directions.

 

[imonusi]

If possible, I want you to continue with the same voice actor forever, but because you are human, I think there are many health problems and age, and in the end, I have no choice but to cut it off

But people who have been dropped out due to scandals are really despised... (especially adultery)

 

[Pancito]

I completely understand why some people find it hard to get used to them. I feel the same way at first—it can make the character feel a little different, and it takes me some time to adjust. But after a while, I usually get used to the new voice. I always try to give the new voice actor a chance.

 

[satory]

There is a a famous BL game that had half of it's cast replased in a remake (?) version. I was very interested to play this game, until I knew about it. They even changed main character's voice, and while of course their voices sound good, they are not the same, so I couldn't play it It was a hard thing to accept.

 

[藍色水珠]

I've experienced this and understand: it feels like more than just changing the voice actor; it's like the character itself has changed. Each voice actor has a different voice, acting style, and presentation. Because we like the character and are used to the voice actor, it's normal to feel uncomfortable at first when the actor is changed.

Just avoid AI dubbing: it's worse than changing voice actors, losing the essence and brilliance of dubbing, becoming less realistic, and ultimately empty. I'd rather give real people a chance.


我遇過、能理解：感覺不只是換聲優，更像人物變了。每位聲優聲線、演技表現不同，呈現方式也有差別。因為我們喜歡該角色，加上聽久習慣，起初換人會不太適應，很正常
不要AI配音就好：比換聲優更糟糕，也失去配音本質與精彩表現，更不真實，反而空洞。寧可給真人機會。

 

[hakuku]

Regardless of the circumstances, it's always sad when an original voice actor is replaced. I also think it's only natural for people to compare the new performance with the original.

That said, I understand that the new voice actor is under tremendous pressure as well. They're probably torn between trying to stay faithful to their predecessor's performance or bringing their own interpretation to the role. On top of that, they have to deal with the pressure of whether fans will accept them as the successor.

As long as the new voice actor genuinely cares about the character, I'd like to welcome them with an open mind. And if they're stepping into the role because the previous actor had to leave due to a scandal, I'd want to support them even more.

More than anything, I just hope people stop causing the kinds of scandals that lead to situations like this in the first place.

 

[Erille]

I don't really like it if the VA changes because we are already familiar with the voice and invest our time in the game. However, sometimes we can't do anything if it's related to politics or scandals. It Will be better if the game company is more strict in choosing the VA so the worst won't happen.

 

[majimakun]

When a voice actor changes, it is difficult for me to emotionally connect with the character I am used to.
If the new voice actor's performance is excellent, I feel less awkward.

 

[enren]

I don't like it.
I always grow attached to the 1st voice.