Top 10 Outstanding Female Anime Dub Performances
Discover the top 10 extraordinary anime dub performances by talented women, showcasing their exceptional range and skill From iconic characters like Asuna in Sword Art Online to the unforgettable Haruko Haruhara in FLCL, these performances will leave you in awe Don't miss out on the best female anime dub work!
Article Overview
Female voice actors in anime dubs deserve more praise and recognition for their performances, as they can bring characters to life just as well as their male counterparts.
Certain female voice actors excel at replicating the performances of the original Japanese voice actors, while others bring a unique element of originality and charm to their portrayals. Demonstrating their remarkable skills, K.T. Gray as Seras Victoria in Hellsing, Cherami Leigh as Asuna in Sword Art Online, and Erica Mendez as Ryuko Matoi in Kill la Kill deliver performances that deserve much recognition and conversation.
While male voice actors often receive the most praise in anime dubs, it is important to recognize the exceptional performances delivered by female dub actors. Similar to their Japanese counterparts, these actresses possess the remarkable ability to breathe life into their characters, sometimes even surpassing the original Japanese performances.
Over the years, female voice actors have consistently delivered outstanding performances in anime dubs. Several have stood out as the best in their field, either for their exceptional ability to replicate the original Japanese voice actors or for bringing their own unique charm and originality to the characters, even if it deviates from the original portrayal. Regardless, each performance showcases the immense talent of the voice actor in question and warrants in-depth discussion and recognition.
10. K.T. Gray As Seras Victoria (Hellsing)
Other Anime Roles: Yoshino Shinzaike (I My Me! Strawberry Eggs), Julia (Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad)
| Release Year | 2001 (Hellsing), 2006 (Hellsing Ultimate) |
| Number of Episodes | 13 (Hellsing), 10 (Hellsing Ultimate) |
| Where to Stream It | Hulu, Crunchyroll |
The first outstanding dub performance by a female voice actor that deserves recognition is K.T. Gray's portrayal of Seras Victoria in Hellsing. Gray flawlessly captured Seras' journey from a nervous rookie to a strong and confident woman, particularly in Hellsing Ultimate where she had the opportunity to bring some of the best moments in the story to life. While Gray's involvement in anime was limited to Hellsing, her extraordinary performance left a lasting impact on the community.
9. Cherami Leigh As Asuna (Sword Art Online)
Other Anime Roles: Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail), Sailor Venus (Sailor Moon), Sarada Uchiha (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations), Makoto Niijima (Persona 5: The Animation)
| Release Year | 2012 |
| Number of Episodes | 96 |
| Where to Stream It | Hulu, Crunchyroll |
Another remarkable performance by a female voice actor can be seen in Cherami Leigh's portrayal of Asuna in Sword Art Online. Leigh's portrayal of Asuna not only showcases her confidence and competence but also establishes the character as one of the best in the series. Additionally, story arcs like Mother's Rosario and Aria of a Starless Night further highlight Leigh's exceptional talent, providing her with ample opportunities to demonstrate her vast range. Despite the divisive nature of Sword Art Online, most of its characters have managed to captivate the audience, largely due to Leigh's compelling performance as Asuna.
8. Erica Mendez As Ryuko Matoi (Kill La Kill)
Other Anime Roles: Aladdin (Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic), Gon Freecss (Hunter X Hunter), Emma (The Promised Neverland), Retsuko (Aggretsuko)
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Number of Episodes | 24 |
| Where to Stream It | Hulu, Crunchyroll |
Regarding female voice actors who excel in replicating the original Japanese, one standout performance is Erica Mendez as Ryuko Matoi in Kill la Kill. In the original version, Ami Koshimizu portrayed Ryuko as a rebellious troublemaker with a tough exterior but a kind heart underneath. Mendez flawlessly captures this punkish portrayal, effortlessly transitioning from fierce to gentle. Her portrayal breathes life into Ryuko, rivaling Koshimizu's performance and contributing to the esteemed reputation of Kill la Kill's English dub.
7. Stephanie Nadolny As Kid Goku (Dragon Ball)
Other Anime Roles: Kid Gohan (Dragon Ball Z), Faye Xin Yu (Gravion Zwei)
| Release Year | 1986 |
| Number of Episodes | 153 |
| Where to Stream It | Hulu, Crunchyroll, Funimation |
Female voice actors commonly take on the role of male characters in animation, and one notable example of this is Stephanie Nadolny's portrayal of Kid Goku in the Dragon Ball franchise. Nadolny skillfully captured Goku's youthful innocence in Dragon Ball, and when Goku was transformed into a child in Dragon Ball GT, she demonstrated her versatility and talent by portraying him as a wiser and more mature character. Although Nadolny's involvement with the franchise ended after Dragon Ball Z Kai, her impact on Dragon Ball should not be underestimated.
6. Maile Flanagan As Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)
Other Anime Roles: Matthew (Astro Boy)
| Release Year | 2002 |
| Number of Episodes | 720 |
| Where to Stream It | Hulu, Crunchyroll |
5. Kari Wahlgren As Haruko Haruhara (FLCL)
Maile Flanagan's portrayal of Naruto Uzumaki in Naruto serves as another impressive example of a female voice actor portraying a male character. From the start of the series, Flanagan's vocal performance flawlessly captured Naruto's bratty nature and unwavering determination. As Naruto matured in Naruto: Shippuden and beyond, Flanagan consistently portrayed his growing maturity and emphasized his transformation into a heroic figure. Undoubtedly, Flanagan's portrayal of Naruto has made him one of the most iconic characters in the realm of anime, explaining why she has become synonymous with the character for countless fans worldwide.
Other Anime Roles: Saber (Fate), Fuu Kasumi (Samurai Champloo), Celty Sturluson (Durarara!!), Tsuruya (The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya)
| Release Year | 2000 |
| Number of Episodes | 6 |
| Where to Stream It | Hulu, Funimation |
4. Wendee Lee As Haruhi Suzumiya (The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya)
Kari Wahlgren's portrayal of Haruko Haruhara in FLCL stands out as one of the most outstanding female performances in older anime dubs. Her chaotic and whimsical interpretation of Haruko not only defined the character but also contributed to the cult classic status of FLCL. Throughout the various spinoffs of FLCL, Wahlgren has consistently showcased her talent, making Haruko a standout presence. When reflecting on the impact of FLCL and its enduring legacy in the anime community, it is difficult not to think of Wahlgren's unforgettable performance.
Other Anime Roles: Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop), T.K. Takaishi (Digimon), Konata Izumi (Lucky Star), Lisa Lisa (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
| Release Year | 2006 |
| Number of Episodes | 28 |
| Where to Stream It | Crunchyroll |
Another remarkable performance by a female voice actor deserving of much praise is Wendee Lee's portrayal of Haruhi Suzumiya in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Similar to FLCL's Haruko Haruhara, Haruhi is a chaotic and larger-than-life character with a hint of arrogance. Every line delivered by Lee perfectly captures Haruhi's essence, making her a character that is impossible to dislike. With her extensive experience in shows like Bleach, Digimon, and Cowboy Bebop, Lee clearly brought all of her expertise to voicing Haruhi, solidifying her as one of the most iconic anime characters in the last two decades.
3. Tiffany Grant As Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Other Anime Roles: Altena (Noir), Kaori (Azumanga Daioh), Nojiko (One Piece)
| Release Year | 1995 |
| Number of Episodes | 26 |
| Where to Stream It | Unavailable In Original Dub |
When discussing exceptional female performances in older anime dubs, it is impossible to overlook the remarkable portrayal of Asuka Langley Soryu in Neon Genesis Evangelion by Tiffany Grant. Grant effortlessly brought out Asuka's arrogance and occasional moments of genuine vulnerability, captivating English-speaking audiences. Additionally, her fluency in German, unlike her Japanese counterpart Yuko Miyamura, added another dimension to the character. Grant's performance consistently stood out in the original dub, and her return for the final Rebuild of Evangelion film was truly awe-inspiring among all the cast members.
2. Daveigh Chase As Chihiro Ogino (Spirited Away)
Other Anime Roles: None
| Release Year | 2001 |
| Runtime | 125 Minutes |
| Where to Stream It | Max |
Studio Ghibli is renowned for its exceptional English dubs in anime, and an outstanding female performance that exemplifies this is Daveigh Chase's portrayal of Chihiro Ogino in Spirited Away. Chase brilliantly conveys Chihiro's transformation from a fearful child to a strong and independent individual, arguably surpassing Rumi Hiiragi's performance in the original Japanese version. Spirited Away has cemented its status as one of the most iconic films in both the anime and animation realms, with Chase's remarkable depiction of Chihiro undoubtedly contributing significantly to its success.
1. Brittany Snow As Shizuku Tsukishima (Whisper Of The Heart)
Other Anime Roles: None
| Release Year | 1995 |
| Runtime | 111 Minutes |
| Where to Stream It | Max |
Whisper of the Heart features another exceptional female performance in a Studio Ghibli dub, and it serves as the final discussion on remarkable female dub performances. Brittany Snow brilliantly takes on the role of Shizuku Tsukishima, perfectly capturing the grounded essence of the film. Snow imbues Shizuku with a genuine and relatable voice, effortlessly conveying her moments of joy and inner struggles. This performance stands out as one of the most authentic and grounded in the entire Studio Ghibli repertoire. Despite being an underrated film, Whisper of the Heart still deserves recognition, and Snow's portrayal of Shizuku is undoubtedly one of its strongest aspects. Without a doubt, Brittany Snow's rendition of Shizuku will be remembered as the greatest female dub performance in anime history.
Anime has a significant male following, which unfortunately leads to the female voice actors involved being overlooked. This is a great injustice, as female voice actors provide performances that are just as valuable, if not more so, than their male counterparts. This is especially evident in English dubs, where many female voice actors deliver outstanding performances that truly do justice to the original Japanese versions. It is important to acknowledge and praise the numerous exceptional dub performances by women in anime, and hopefully, they will gain the recognition they deserve in the future.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have grown up watching anime dubbed in English, and I have always appreciated the incredible talent of female voice actors in the industry. These women bring so much life and emotion to the characters they portray, and they deserve just as much recognition as their male counterparts.
In particular, I am a big fan of Cherami Leigh's work as Asuna in Sword Art Online. She perfectly captures Asuna's strength, determination, and vulnerability, and she makes the character feel like a real person. I also love Erica Mendez's performance as Ryuko Matoi in Kill la Kill. She brings so much energy and attitude to the role, and she really makes Ryuko come to life. Overall, I think female voice actors in anime dubs are incredibly talented and deserve more recognition for their work.
