Decoding the Yoruichi Dubbing Controversy in BLEACH

Article Key Points

Voice actor Anaires Quiñones announces replacement in BLEACH role, sparking racist backlash and highlighting lack of diversity in industry.

Wendee Lee, the original voice actor, initially expressed a negative response towards the support for Quiñones. However, she later issued an apology and extended a warm welcome to Quiñones as part of the cast. The incident shed light on the prevalent racism within the voice acting industry as fans argued against diversification, failing to comprehend the importance of representation and equal opportunities for actors of color.

On October 21, Anaires Quiñones, an experienced voice actor, announced on Twitter that they had been replaced in the role of Yoruichi Shihōin in the English dub of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War. They also mentioned that Wendee Lee, the original English voice actor for the character, would now be replacing their recorded lines. This is not the first time an actor has been replaced, but the racist backlash Quiñones faced after revealing the change raises concerning implications, regardless of the replacement being the original actor.

Several voice actors and colleagues attempted to console Quiñones, expressing their sympathy for the situation. However, things became more complicated when Wendee Lee responded negatively to the supportive messages, posting a series of tweets that have since been deleted. This Yoruichi dubbing controversy raises questions about the efforts to promote diversity and equal opportunities in an industry that is notoriously challenging to succeed in, especially for actors of color.

The Timeline

Quiñones announced their role as Yoruichi Shihōin in the English version of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War on October 7. This decision received backlash from fans who were unhappy with the replacement of Wendee Lee, the original voice of the character. While the concern about replacing a beloved voice actor is valid, the backlash became racist when fans labeled it a "diversity hire," disregarding Quiñones' 14-year experience as a voice actor. It's important to note that Lee is still involved in the BLEACH project, voicing Tatsuki Arisawa. Quiñones has also voiced popular characters like Hiyori Sarugaki, replacing Laura Bailey in the original BLEACH anime, as well as Nessa from Pokémon: Twilight Wings and Mirko in My Hero Academia.

Quiñones first appeared as Yoruichi in episode 22, but the recasting was announced just two weeks later. According to Quiñones, the studio and client decided to go in a different direction. However, it was clear that landing the role of an iconic female character of color in BLEACH's final arc meant a lot to Quiñones. Many fans and fellow voice actors, including Kayli Mills (Emilia; Re: Zero), expressed their support. Unfortunately, Lee responded to this support with personal comments, taking offense to people being sad about their loss of the role. It is now understood that Quiñones was cast because Lee was initially thought to be unavailable, but this mistake was discovered after the episode had already been released. Studiopolis, in a statement to ANN, clarified that the original cast of the series was always the intent.

Not an Attack

Mills expressed support for Quiñones, prompting Lee to reply, "I am just maintaining the iconic character, Kayli." This led to an exchange where Mills eventually apologized and promised to stay silent in the future. Lee sent defensive tweets to various actors, reiterating that she was merely preserving the role she established years ago. However, the next day, Lee deleted many of her tweets and posted a new message welcoming Quiñones to the BLEACH cast, along with well-wishes and an apology. It is worth mentioning that Lee liked a tweet that referred to those disappointed by her actions as "greasy freaks," which undermines the sincerity of her apology. What is particularly noticeable is Lee's assertion that she mistakenly assumed her colleagues were aware of her involvement in originating the role. However, it is uncomfortable to witness an experienced performer feeling attacked for supporting a younger, successful, and talented voice actor who lost the opportunity to voice an iconic character. Moreover, the situation becomes more concerning due to the racist backlash faced by Quiñones. Adding to the complexity, Lee, being a veteran and an ADR Director, made unprofessional remarks about a "lack of support," despite having decades of experience over Quiñones and disappointing fans who heard about the recasting of Yoruichi. Lee's extensive and highly-regarded career, coupled with her previous involvement in BLEACH projects as a voice director, further exacerbates the issue, as it becomes a matter of seniority.

The Racism Problem

Some fans dismiss the idea of diversifying voice acting, while others argue that all anime roles should be reserved for Asian actors to accurately represent the characters. However, this completely misses the point. In industries like voice acting, which are predominantly white and male, representation is not about matching a character's race and origin with that of their voice actor. Instead, it is about providing opportunities to actors of color who have proven their talent, and opening doors for everyone regardless of identity. While the timing and fan backlash surrounding the initial cast change is unfortunate, Studiopolis stated that their intention was always to keep the original cast and that Jamieson Price stepped down due to acknowledging the inequality of opportunity in voice acting.

The notion that this is simply about matching race to voice actor is disingenuous. The lack of diversity in anime characters and the overwhelming majority of white actors is a significant issue, reflecting a wider problem in industries like animation, voice acting, and video games. The belief that black actors can only be hired as a token of "social justice" is rooted in pervasive racism, as it undermines the work of minority actors and perpetuates homogeneity. Lee privately apologized to Quiñones, acknowledging where they were coming from but stating that their words were unkind to Lee's peers.

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.

Sources: The Verge, ANN

Editor's P/S

As a fan of the BLEACH anime series, I am deeply saddened by the Yoruichi dubbing controversy. The racist backlash that Anaires Quiñones faced after being replaced in the role of Yoruichi Shihōin is completely unacceptable and highlights the lack of diversity in the voice acting industry. It is important to remember that Quiñones is a talented voice actor with years of experience, and she deserves to be treated with respect.

The fact that Wendee Lee, the original voice actor for Yoruichi, initially responded negatively to the support for Quiñones is also disappointing. Lee's comments were insensitive and dismissive, and they only served to further the controversy. However, I am glad that Lee later issued an apology and welcomed Quiñones to the cast. It is important for us to come together as a community and support all voice actors, regardless of their race or ethnicity.