Reader’s Question:
Isn’t it a bit surprising that the voice actor for Arren in “Tales from Earthsea” has such a deep voice, considering he’s just a boy?
Reflections on Voice Acting in Anime
You know, I’ve often found myself pondering the choices made in anime voice casting, especially when it comes to
characters that don’t quite match the expected vocal range. Take Arren from “Tales from Earthsea,” for instance. It’s surprising, isn’t it? A boy with such a deep voice! I mean, it initially threw me off balance, but then I started thinking about the behind-the-scenes decisions that lead to these choices. I remember the first time I watched that movie. I was lounging on the couch, snacks strewn everywhere—my usual popcorn, a couple of chocolate bars, and maybe a few too many potato chips. I was getting comfortable, ready for a magical journey, and then… BAM! This deep voice comes through. I was like, “Wait, what? Is that really a kid?” At first, I thought it was a miscast, but then I started to appreciate the uniqueness of it. As the user pointed out, it seems like the production teams sometimes prioritize the star power of the voice actor over how well their voice fits the character. I get it; there’s an understanding that audiences are drawn to familiar names. I mean, who doesn’t love a good celebrity cameo? But when it comes to essential roles, it feels like they should be considering the character’s essence more deeply. It’s like being handed a delicious-looking cake only to realize it’s made of cardboard. Beautiful on the outside, but where’s the flavor? I also chuckled at the idea that the voice actors often just bring their ‘normal’ selves into the booth. It’s like they’re showing up for a casual dinner party instead of stepping into the shoes of a character. The other day, I made a total fool of myself trying to imitate a character’s voice from a show I love, and my daughter just laughed. “Dad, just be you!” she said. It’s hilarious how even in my own house, I can’t escape being a dad first and a wannabe voice actor second. That said, I do think there’s something charming about these unexpected choices. It adds a layer of unpredictability to the viewing experience. Maybe it’s a reminder that perfection isn’t everything. Sometimes, it’s the quirks and imperfections that make things memorable. I’d love to hear what you all think about this! Have you had similar surprises with voice acting in anime or even in other forms of media? Or maybe you have your own stories of trying to imitate characters and failing spectacularly? Share your experiences in the comments! Let’s chat about it!
