On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, there was intriguing news surrounding the English dub production of the globally adored and critically acclaimed Attack on Titan anime. According to recent reports, Bryce Papenbrook, the English voice actor for the protagonist Eren Yeager, bit his own hand during filming.
While this action may initially seem relatively mild, Papenbrook bit his hand with such force in the recording booth that he ended up bruising it. Additionally, in another session, the Attack on Titan star even went as far as unhinging his jaw to accurately portray the intense pain that Eren was experiencing in a specific scene.
Attack on Titan English dub VA proves dedication to performance by going as far as to bruise his own hand
Papenbrook's perspective on recording performances might be seen by some as excessive, but he strongly disagrees. He believes it's essential to explore those "dark places." Furthermore, Papenbrook expressed his admiration for the diverse ways he portrays the protagonist of Attack on Titan, highlighting the emotional depth of Eren's character throughout the series.
This update shared by Papenbrook was during his visit to the New York Comic Con, where he had a chance to meet up with Trina Nishimura, the English voice actor for Mikasa Ackerman. The duo delved into their experiences portraying their characters and the intense emotional depths they had to explore, considering the show's compelling themes and complex narrative.
Papenbrook also expressed his fandom for the series long before being chosen to play Eren. He emphasized his deep understanding of the role's requirements and challenges. In fact, Papenbrook's unwavering commitment to the character made Nishimura nervous to meet him initially, as they hadn't recorded lines together at the start.
Nishimura's intensity also served as inspiration for her own performances. She vividly recounted a recording session for the end of the third season, where Mikasa had to make a difficult choice of whom to save with the Titan serum. Allegedly, she cried throughout the entire session, deeply feeling the burden on Mikasa's shoulders in making such a daunting decision.
The Final Chapters Special 2 of Attack on Titan will be broadcasted in Japan on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 12 am Japanese Standard Time. It will also be available for streaming on Crunchyroll shortly thereafter. However, fans will have to wait until 2024 to see Papenbrook and Nishimura's final appearances as their respective characters in the English dubbed version of the special episode. A more specific timeline for the release is expected to be announced in the upcoming months.
Be sure to keep up with all anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2023 progresses.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am deeply impressed by Bryce Papenbrook's dedication to his role as Eren Yeager in the English dub of Attack on Titan. His willingness to go to such extreme lengths, including self-inflicted injury, to accurately portray Eren's dark and intense character is truly commendable. It shows his passion for the role and his commitment to giving fans the best possible experience.
I also appreciate Trina Nishimura's approach to her role as Mikasa Ackerman. Her emotional intensity and ability to truly feel the burden of Mikasa's choices make her performance all the more powerful. Together, Papenbrook and Nishimura bring Eren and Mikasa to life in a way that is both captivating and emotionally engaging. I can't wait to see how their performances in the upcoming Final Chapters Special 2 of Attack on Titan will further elevate the story and leave a lasting impact on fans.