Anime is hugely popular, as evidenced by box office hits like 2025’s “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle” and the fact that every streamer seems to be building its own robust anime library. As the Japanese art form continues to find new audiences, we take a look at seven anime voice actors who have become a staple of the medium.
Johnny Yong Bosch (“Code Geass,” “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”)
For ’90s kids, Bosch is a superstar thanks to his role as the Black Ranger on “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” but he has also built an impressive résumé as a voice actor. In the world of anime, Bosch brought to life the tormented, tragic antihero Lelouch in “Code Geass,” bringing a sense of guilt and responsibility to the character that makes him a dynamic protagonist. As the English voice of Jonathan Joestar on “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” Bosch adds a youthful innocence and bravado that makes the dub stand out from its original portrayal.
Bryce Papenbrook (“Attack on Titan,” “Demon Slayer”)
At first glance, Papenbrook’s biggest skill is communicating almost entirely through shouting, as was the case voicing Eren Jaeger on “Attack on Titan” and Inosuke Hashibira in “Demon Slayer.” But that’s only a part of the full picture. Dig deeper and you’ll hear the notes of anger, resentment, and desperation in Eren’s voice. The opposite is true for Hashibira; Papenbrook plays the roughness for laughs, making the character angry for seemingly no reason, so the shouting becomes comedic and charming.
Erica Mendez (“Hunter x Hunter,” “Aggretsuko”)
Mendez has played a wide variety of roles with little in common between them, so it’s a testament to her abilities that no two sound alike. As Gon Freecss on “Hunter x Hunter,” Mendez brings a childlike innocence and sense of wonder that hides a darkness that only comes out in pivotal moments. As Emma on “The Promised Neverland,” Mendez plays into the horror of the story and captures the character’s tenacity and bravery in the face of incredible odds. And if you want to hear her truly go for it, look no further than Retsuko the red panda on “Aggretsuko,” a role that requires Mendez to belt out death metal.
Ryan Colt Levy (“Chainsaw Man,” “Solo Leveling”)
Levy doesn’t have the most extensive résumé on this list, but he’s made a lasting impact on anime fans, especially with his portrayal of Denji, a teen with the ability to transform into the demonic title entity of “Chainsaw Man.” The actor walks a fine line between charm and irreverence—or between silly and dumb, to be more blunt—without ever tipping over into obnoxiousness. And that’s because Levy has total control over how a character comes off. Look at Lee Eunseok on “Solo Leveling,” a small role that still feels completely fleshed out despite the lack of screen time.
Matthew Mercer (“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” “One Piece”)
Mercer is incredibly prolific—he has more than 500 credits to his name—often utilizing his recognizably deep voice to play fan-favorite stoics. But there are shades to his gray. The overly serious Levi Ackerman on “Attack on Titan” is completely distinct from the perpetually annoyed Trafalgar Law on “One Piece” and the gloomy Jotaro Kujo on “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.” Plus, Mercer still crushes the part when he gets to branch out, as was the case with the goofy Leorio on “Hunter x Hunter” or the cheerful, easygoing Joker on “Black Butler.”
Colleen Clinkenbeard (“Fullmetal Alchemist,” “One Piece”)
Clinkenbeard’s career stretches back two decades, including roles on marquee anime like “Fullmetal Alchemist,” “Claymore”—where she also served as ADR director for both shows—and ”Dragon Ball Z.” Her most well-known part, however, is without a doubt Monkey D. Luffy in the Funimation dub of “One Piece,” which she inherited from previous dubber Erica Schroeder and immediately made her own. Clinkenbeard injects the pirate protagonist with a boundless sense of enthusiasm, but she also excels at the seriousness that emerges whenever he locks in to defend those he cares about. Each version of Luffy is distinct—from original Japanese actor Mayumi Tanaka to the various English dubs—and Clinkenbeard’s iteration is arguably the most emotional.
Christopher Sabat (“Dragon Ball Z,” “My Hero Academia”)
Despite having hundreds of credits, Sabat remains one of the most recognizable voices in anime. He has originated the English dubs for countless iconic roles since the 1990s, including Vegeta and Piccolo on “Dragon Ball Z,” Alex Louis Armstrong on “Fullmetal Alchemist,” and Zoro on “One Piece.” His performance as Vegeta, in particular, is massively influential; together with Sean Schemmel as the English dub of Goku, Sabat set a standard for American audiences of anime rivals and redemption stories. More recently, he evolved that bombastic “Dragon Ball” energy for All Might on “My Hero Academia,” lending an edge to an aging yet still mighty hero.
