Your Favorite Voice Actors and Seiyuu

[Jolteon91]

What is it about Crispin Freeman that makes him your one and only favorite? Legit question.

I honestly don't know, characters that he voices are the only ones I've heard that don't make me wish I was deaf.

Although, most males seem to be somewhat bearable, I just don't know any other names. Females on the other hand, all sound terrible to me.

[ParaChomp]

Perhaps. My stance on VA/Seiyuu's is that most people don't care for their talent, but more of the character they play. If they play a bunch of good characters, then people consider them a good VA. If they play boring, uninteresting characters, then no one cares about them. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there a few people that like the VA's themselves but this fame they get is clearly from the characters they play and not their voice talent.

Yeah, don't remind me of people fawning over Keldeo Vic Mignogna last con I went to. I actually went straight up and asked him why he likes voice acting and why does he do voice dubbing even though it doesn't pay much. In fact, when I usually ask to get my DVDs signed at cons, that's usually what I ask. I wish I could have asked Kumiko Wantanabe more but it was like the fast checkout line. Then again, I doubt I would understand her and Keroro from Sgt. Frog is the only role of her's that I know well so I really don't regret being able to ask her anything (not that either of us speak each others tongue anyways).

Then there was the line for Monica Rial's signature which I got for the heck of it even though I'm not too big of a fan of her work. The only ones I really know are Momoka from Sgt. Frog and Tsubaki from Soul Eater; both of which are good but neither stand out or differ much from one another. What really disgusted me and further proves your point were the many people with Highschool of the Dead merchandise lining up for her autograph (with her performance in the show being horrid). I asked her how casting works and she told me that you have to love your second job and money is money. Not as inspiring as Mignogna who told me that he loves his job with so much more passion.

No less, out of all people who've signed my DVDs, the only one I truly admire is Mignogna who's a great actor. That's also why I answered Steve Blum as my favourite dub actor, he's downright awesome at what he does! Excuse me for using some American cartoons as examples but please let this slide. From his sinister yet cowardly portrayal of Starscream to his cool Spike Spiegel to his flamboyant Leeron Littner, the guy's amazing. Though if there's one performance that I have to give him a massive tip of the hat for it's the role of Wolverine especially in the episode of the Ultimate Spider-Man (I was curious and checking it out, the show's horrible) where the mutant and title character switched bodies, he nailed the show's portrayal of the web-head so well.

I feel like I should also add my top ten English VAs.

1. Crispin Freeman

Ok, I could only get one, but that'll have to do.

He's always on people's top lists. Not mine. Then again, I've barely watched any shows with him in it. Heck, the only show I own that he's in is the Spectacular Spider-Man (shocking) while he's also in a video game I own (Tales of Symphonia). I will admit, from the clips that I've heard (not just what I own), he's great and can make many solid different portrayals but he lacks in voice pitch. I won't lie and will agree from what I've heard, he's good but I still don't see (or hear in this case) why he's so outstanding.

[Zerdax]

I honestly don't know, characters that he voices are the only ones I've heard that don't make me wish I was deaf.

Although, most males seem to be somewhat bearable, I just don't know any other names. Females on the other hand, all sound terrible to me.

That's not always the case. American actresses only sound terrible when they voice teenage girls. Actresses usually do an excellent job voicing grown women. And there are a select few who are just as talented as Crispin Freeman.

To name a few from the top of my head: Lydia Mackay, Wendee Lee and Patricia Drake. But it's just an opinion of mine, so nobody has to take my word for it.

[Jolteon91]

That's not always the case. American actresses only sound terrible when they voice teenage girls. Actresses usually do an excellent job voicing grown women. And there are a select few who are just as talented as Crispin Freeman.

To name a few from the top of my head: Lydia Mackay, Wendee Lee and Patricia Drake. But it's just an opinion of mine, so nobody has to take my word for it.

Doesn't Wendee Lee voice Haruhi? I can't stand English Haruhi, her voice is terrible.

[Zerdax]

Doesn't Wendee Lee voice Haruhi? I can't stand English Haruhi, her voice is terrible.

Yeah, I like Haruhi's Japanese voice better, but Kyon sounded spot-on in the dub and he was voiced by Crispin Freeman. I had the impression Wendee Lee could be one of the greatest American VA's in the anime dubbing industry, because she was Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop (one of the greatest dubs in history). Granted, she is an esteemed actress, but I don't think she always fits her characters.

[Charizard Champion#06]

Then there was the line for Brittney Karbowski's signature which I got for the heck of it even though I'm not too big of a fan of her work. The only ones I really know are Momoka from Sgt. Frog and Tsubaki from Soul Eater; both of which are good but neither stand out or differ much from one another.

Brittney Karbowski played Black☆Star in Soul Eater. Tsubaki was played by Monica Rial.

Doesn't Wendee Lee voice Haruhi? I can't stand English Haruhi, her voice is terrible.

I wouldn't say her voice is terrible but it isn't fit for Haruhi at all.

Yeah, I like Haruhi's Japanese voice better, but Kyon sounded spot-on in the dub and he was voiced by Crispin Freeman. I had the impression Wendee Lee could be one of the greatest American VA's in the anime dubbing industry, because she was Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop (one of the greatest dubs in history). Granted, she is an esteemed actress, but I don't think she always fits her characters.

Esteemed? She has more credits for English voice over work than anyone else.

[ParaChomp]

Brittney Karbowski played Black☆Star in Soul Eater. Tsubaki was played by Monica Rial.

0__0

Whoops, thanks for the save? This is what happens when you don't go to bed on time.

[Kirisame Marisa]

My favourite Japanese voice actors are Noriaki Sugiyama, Ono Daisuke, and Mamoru Miyano.
I don't really follow dubs, so I dunno about English voice actors. But Crispin Freeman needs to get out of my bedroom.

[~Ace]

My favourite english VA's are easily Vic Mignogna, Eric Vale and Todd Haberkorn.

[Zerdax]

I'll never understand why dub haters say "females sound terrible" in dubbed anime all the time. It's a false assumption. Actresses can be just as good as actors. Granted, there are dozens of objectively bad female voices, but not all voices sound congested and unbelievable.

[Durian Seed]

Hana Kanazawa
Saori Hayami
Shimono Hiro
Hiroshi Kamiya
Ai Nonoka
Chiwa Saito
Yuuka Iguchi
Eri Kitamura
Miyuki Sawashiro
Emiri Katou
Ayana Taketatsu

Soo many excellent seiyuu I cannot recall them all.

[Autis-misc]

I never take the time to ever look up Japanese VA's. mainly because I don't want to learn the name of someone I can't understand fully.

And I only have 3 favorite American VA's: Crispin Freeman, Monica Rial, and Apparently I can't say Tara Strong because Spirited Away is the only anime she voiced in, but this ask favorite VA's, and VA's don't just relate to anime.

Unless i'm wrong.

[SquadmemberRitsu]

For dub voice actors, I could go on forever with the males. Crispin Freeman (The greatest VA known to man), Chris Patton, David Matranga, Johnny Yong Bosch, Kyle Hebert, Yuri Lowenthal, Vic Mignogna, Steve Blum. There's probably a few more, but that's just off the top of my head.

However, for Female English VA's I struggle to think of any that really stand out. Thinking about it really hard I can name Cristina Vee, Luci Christian, Christine Cabanos, Michelle Ruff, Kari Wahlgren and Wendee Lee. But none of them are nearly as good as any of the males I listed

Christine Cabanos is fine as Azusa in the K-On dub (More than I can say about most of the cast), but Ayana still wins by a mile. Plus she's a bit hit and miss as Madoka in the Madoka Magica dub. Wendee Lee is the embodiment of Faye Valentne. Plus she was great as Konata (Even if Hirano wins by just a little bit). However as it's been pointed out by several other people, her Haruhi was... less than stellar. Especially when compared to the great Aya.

As for seiyuu, I don't pay much attention to males, but I really like Nakamura Yuuichi. Sugita has some great roles, but he can't hold a candle to Crispin Freeman's Kyon. I also like Ono Daisuke and Miyano Mamoru but that's pretty much it. Oh, and Wakamoto. Can't forget about him

And now for female seiyuu. Let's get out that list now:

Taketatsu Ayana
Hanazawa Kana
Toyosaki Aki
Hirano Aya
Fukuhara Kaori
Fukuen Misato
Sawashiro Miyuki
Kato Emiri
Hikasa Yoko
Kitamura Eri
Kawasumi Ayako
Asumi Kana
Saito Chiwa
Yuuki Aoi
Kugiyama Rie (In selected roles)
Chihara Minori
Tomatsu Haruka
Itou Kanae
Mizuhashi Kaori

So as you can see, I pay much more attention to female seiyuu than any other voice actors

[matt0044]

her Haruhi was... less than stellar. Especially when compared to the great Aya.

I find that role of her's to be pretty underrated. Not that Aya Hirano was inferior in the slightest but I don't think Lee's Haruhi deserves the flack it gets. It was annoying but mostly when the character had to be (I mean, duh).

Inb4 Jolteon91 lynches me for such blasphemy

I love Monica Rial and Luci Christian. They have give vocal range (nothing Mel Blanc-ish but their good). Comparing Christian's cute, innocent Tenma Tsukamato (School Rumble) to deadly, vicious Milia (SDF Macross) is amazing.

[SquadmemberRitsu]

I find that role of her's to be pretty underrated. Not that Aya Hirano was inferior in the slightest but I don't think Lee's Haruhi deserves the flack it gets. It was annoying but mostly when the character had to be (I mean, duh).

I didn't really find her annoying. It seemed like she was just a bit too restrained and a little bit too old for a teenager. Especially compared to the sub version. She worked well as Faye because she was an adult and worked well as Konata because her voice was very cartoony to fit her character. But when she's trying to do Haruhi who sounds like a legitimate teenager, I don't think she can't quite pull it off. She's just not crazy enough. But overall it's Dub>Sub for me because of Crispin Freeman

[Samantha Sparks]

Kana Hanazawa is the master race.
Anyone else like Yuuki Kaji? I admired the man since hestarted voicing he metal harpy guy known as Silver Crow.

[Jolteon91]

Kana Hanazawa is the master race.

She truly is awesome.

In other news, Ogura Yui is slowly making her way into my favourite female seiyuu.

[matt0044]

I didn't really find her annoying. It seemed like she was just a bit too restrained and a little bit too old for a teenager. Especially compared to the sub version. She worked well as Faye because she was an adult and worked well as Konata because her voice was very cartoony to fit her character. But when she's trying to do Haruhi who sounds like a legitimate teenager, I don't think she can't quite pull it off. She's just not crazy enough. But overall it's Dub>Sub for me because of Crispin Freeman

Suit yourself. Though if you ask me, she started out fine but sounded better in Disappearance. Plus, the whole "sound old for a teen" critique I tend to find questionable since I myself have been told that about my voice.

Maybe it's just me.

[Charizard Champion#06]

I am saddened by the fact that Masato Hagiwara (voice of Kaiji) doesn't have more roles. ANN has him listed in only 9 other shows.

[karczx]

Most favorite female - Kana Hanazawa
Most favorite male - Nobuhiko Okamoto