10 Outstanding Male Anime Dub Performances

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Anime dubs can have performances that rival the original Japanese versions, showcasing great talent and adding their own unique flair.

English anime dubs should not be easily dismissed, as they have successfully brought anime to a larger audience and showcased the talent of voice actors. The best performances capture the essence of the characters and the story, standing out with their exaggerated or authentic delivery.

While the focus of anime discussions is often on the original Japanese shows, it should be acknowledged that anime dubs possess their own value. Voice actors in different languages can deliver performances that are equally heartfelt as the original Japanese ones. In fact, there have been instances where a dub performance was deemed so exceptional that it surpassed the preference for the original Japanese version.

Anime dubs have presented numerous remarkable performances by their voice actors, with certain ones standing out as the best. Some of these remarkable anime dub performances excel in their ability to faithfully replicate the original Japanese, while others shine through their originality in portraying both the character and the respective anime.

10. Mark Gatha As Domon Kasshu

Mobile Fighter G Gundam

Mark Gatha's portrayal of Domon Kasshu in Mobile Fighter G Gundam is truly remarkable. The anime thrived on its exaggerated storytelling, and Gatha's performance as Domon embraced this perfectly. His portrayal was consistently over-the-top, yet managed to be endearing due to the genuine dedication he and the anime had towards their narrative. While the voice acting in Mobile Fighter G Gundam may not have been technically flawless, the captivating nature of the story more than compensated for it, and Gatha's performance showcased exactly why this was the case.

9. Justin Cook As Yusuke Urameshi

YuYu Hakusho

Justin Cook’s portrayal of Yusuke Urameshi in YuYu Hakusho is a standout anime dub performance. Cook masterfully captures the rebellious essence of Yusuke, seamlessly blending in the dub’s injection of humor and profanity. The English dub of YuYu Hakusho is widely regarded as the preferred way to experience the series, and Cook’s brilliant performance as Yusuke is a significant factor in its acclaim.

8. Crispin Freeman As Kyon

The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya

On the opposite end of the spectrum, an anime dub performance that stands out for its realistic portrayal is Crispin Freeman's portrayal of Kyon in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Kyon's role in Haruhi Suzumiya is to act as the serious foil to Haruhi and the SOS Brigade's unpredictable antics. Freeman skillfully brings this character to life with his dry delivery, effectively capturing Kyon's witty comebacks and sarcastic remarks in each scene. The success of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya made both its English and Japanese voice casts well-known within the anime industry, and Freeman's exceptional performance played a significant role in achieving this achievement.

7. Ian Sinclair As Dandy

Space Dandy

Shinichiro Watanabe, the creator of Cowboy Bebop, is renowned for his exceptional English dubs in anime. One remarkable performance to emerge from this talent pool is Ian Sinclair's portrayal of Dandy in Space Dandy. Dandy's character revolves around his funny nature, oscillating between being effortlessly cool and mistakenly believing he possesses coolness. Sinclair's acting beautifully captures this concept, effortlessly conveying both suavity and foolishness. One of the main highlights of Space Dandy was its decision to air the English dub before the Japanese version, and Sinclair's portrayal of Dandy demonstrates the brilliance of this choice in promoting the series.

6. Steve Blum As Spike Spiegel

Cowboy Bebop

When discussing dubs of Shinichiro Watanabe anime, it is impossible to overlook Steve Blum’s breakout portrayal of Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop. Spike is a character who exudes an undeniable coolness, whether through his audacious nature or his composed demeanor, and Blum has consistently captured this essence with his smooth delivery. Additionally, Blum skillfully conveys the heartfelt moments of comedy and genuine sorrow that Spike experiences. Similar to YuYu Hakusho, Cowboy Bebop is considered to have a definitive English dub, and this can be attributed to Blum’s exceptional depiction of Spike Spiegel.

5. Spike Spencer As Shinji Ikari

Neon Genesis Evangelion

The English dub of Neon Genesis Evangelion is often known for its impact on the series, and one standout performance is Spike Spencer's portrayal of Shinji Ikari. Spencer effectively portrays Shinji as a brooding teenager grappling with the challenges of life. He brings a depth of emotion and authenticity to every pivotal moment in Shinji's journey, captivating viewers with his gravitas. Spencer's exceptional performance truly shines in the Rebuild of Evangelion film series, where Shinji finally finds a sense of happiness. Without Spencer's exceptional delivery, this triumphant ending would have been much harder to convey.

4. J. Michael Tatum As Rintaro Okabe

Steins;Gate

J. Michael Tatum deserves recognition for his outstanding English dub performance as Rintaro Okabe in Steins;Gate. Tatum skillfully captures the essence of Mamoru Miyano's portrayal of the eccentric Okabe in the original Japanese version. His exaggerated and theatrical delivery in the English dub perfectly mirrors Miyano's performance, especially when the script cleverly adapts the jokes to suit the language. As the protagonist, Okabe plays a crucial role in selling Steins;Gate as a series, and Tatum's exceptional portrayal significantly contributes to the success of the English dub.

3. Mike Pollock As Doctor Eggman

Sonic X

Despite 4Kids Entertainment's notoriety for its subpar English dubs, there were occasions when they managed to elicit impressive performances from their actors. One shining example is Mike Pollock's portrayal of Doctor Eggman in Sonic X. While opinions on the quality of Sonic X may vary, Pollock's depiction of Eggman consistently portrayed him as a formidable villain, capable of being menacing when the situation demanded it, even amidst his comedic antics. It speaks volumes that Pollock has held onto this role for two decades, and given how flawlessly he embodies Eggman, it's unlikely that this will change anytime soon.

2. Eric Stuart As Seto Kaiba

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Eric Stuart's portrayal of Seto Kaiba in 4Kids Entertainment's English dub of Yu-Gi-Oh! is another outstanding performance. Stuart effectively brings out Kaiba's charismatic yet egotistical narcissistic nature, making it impossible for the audience to despise him despite his flaws. Although the English dub's rendition of Kaiba differs significantly from the original Japanese version, which lacks the humorous and self-centered traits, Stuart's portrayal successfully establishes Kaiba as an exceptional character. As a result, Stuart's interpretation has become the definitive portrayal of Kaiba.

1. Christopher Ayres As Frieza

Dragon Ball Z Kai

Christopher Ayres undoubtedly delivers the best anime dub performance by a male actor, portraying Frieza in Dragon Ball Z Kai. Despite initial concerns about Kai replacing the established English voices, Ayres triumphantly proves himself as a worthy successor to Linda Young. His chilling and contemptible portrayal flawlessly complements the more faithful script. Ayres' exceptional portrayal of Frieza not only redefines the character for English-speaking fans but also solidifies his status as one of the franchise's most remarkable performances. Even after his unfortunate passing in 2021, Ayres' rendition of Frieza remains a standout contribution to the entire series.

English anime dubs are often criticized for not living up to the original Japanese version, but this is not always the case. While there are certainly many poorly done dubs, this list demonstrates that there are plenty of others that showcase exceptional voice acting, bringing the anime to life. Whether it is by faithfully mimicking the original Japanese or by adding their own unique touch, these examples prove that English anime dubs possess significant merit. It would be unfair to dismiss them so readily.

Editor's P/S

As an anime fan, I have mixed feelings about English anime dubs. On the one hand, I appreciate the opportunity to watch anime in my own language, and I believe that dubs can be a great way to introduce new people to the medium. On the other hand, I sometimes feel like dubs can't quite capture the same level of emotion and nuance as the original Japanese versions.

That said, there are definitely some standout anime dub performances that I really admire. One of my favorites is Mark Gatha's portrayal of Domon Kasshu in Mobile Fighter G Gundam. Gatha's performance is full of energy and passion, and he perfectly captures Domon's determination and fighting spirit. Another great performance is Justin Cook's portrayal of Yusuke Urameshi in YuYu Hakusho. Cook's performance is funny, charming, and heartwarming, and he perfectly captures Yusuke's complex personality.

Overall, I think that anime dubs can be a great way to enjoy anime, and I'm glad that there are so many talented voice actors working in the industry. However, I also believe that it's important to watch anime in the original Japanese whenever possible, as this is the way that the creators intended it to be seen.