Are you interested in anime voiceover talent, where to find it, and how to hire? In this article, you'll learn about anime voice actors for hire.
The best anime has many elements that go into production. An engaging storyline, complex characters, and masterful art are all aspects that play a huge role. However, the best anime also have high-quality voice actors that bring the series to life.
A proper voice actor for an anime will make characters stand out, establish tone, and give the anime a dramatic edge. In this article, you’ll learn about anime voice acting, how to hire voice actors, and how to produce quality anime voiceovers.
How anime voice acting works
Anime voice acting is a profession that requires quite a few skills. It’s a bit more complicated than other fields of voice acting. The process of translating and using an English voice for anime, also known as dubbing, brings quite a few extra challenges to the process.
However, the industry has been trending in recent years, and creators have been producing even more anime series, leading to a higher demand for professional voiceovers needed for this specific art form.
Some of the skills that potential voice actors for anime need include correct diction and pronunciation, flexibility, high tonal range, and acting skills. Sometimes, video editing skills with access to a recording studio, such as a home studio, are required.
To become a voice actor for any anime, aspiring actors need to practice and hone their craft. Many will send demos to studios that specialize in voice acting and attend auditions.
Since anime is originally a Japanese art form, many potential voiceover artists will learn at least the basics of the language. This allows them to better understand the material they’re supposed to dub.
The process typically begins with the production team developing the script, characters, and overall concept for the anime. Then, the voice actors are cast based on their vocal range, acting skills, and suitability for the roles.
Once the voice actors are selected, they will typically receive a script or storyboard to familiarize themselves with the story, characters, and dialogue. They will then work with the director to develop the character’s voice, tone, and mannerisms. This may involve experimenting with different accents, emotions, and delivery styles until they complete the voice recording. Lastly, they listen to the recordings and complete post-production processes.
Finding anime voice actors
There are multiple places and resources you can use to find the right voice artists for anime. Some of the resources on the list below include studios that specialize in anime voices, a text to speech software, and freelancing platforms. You can select one depending on the scope of your project and the specialization needed.
Bones
If you’re looking for a partner to give you high-quality voiceover talent for anime, Bones is a good studio. The Japanese animation studio is famous for producing many anime series and popular titles such as My Hero Academia and Fullmetal Alchemist. Working with Bones gives you access to experienced people in the industry and can be a viable option for high-end projects.
Mad House
Madhouse is yet another Japanese animation studio that has worked on many anime shows. They’re famous for their very distinct art style, attention to detail, and top-tier voiceover artists and Japanese voice actors. Working with Mad House can give you access to very seasoned professionals in the industry and can also cover other aspects of anime, not just voice acting.
Upwork
This is a famous freelance platform that allows you to connect with talented individuals worldwide through job posts. You can use Upwork to find voice actors who specialize in anime voiceovers, and you can review their portfolios and ratings before deciding to work with them.
LinkedIn is a platform that many use for work and other networking opportunities. By using the search bar, you can connect with many people that specialize in voiceover work and potentially find the talent you need.
Voices
Voices is an online marketplace that connects voiceover actors with clients for various voiceover jobs. Some of the fields include voiceover localization, IVR (interactive voice response), ADR (automatic dialogue replacement), and anime productions.
They offer a range of features to make the hiring process easy and convenient, including a search function that allows you to filter voice actors by language, accent, and genre.
Play. ht
Play.ht is a text to speech service that allows you to choose from many customizable voices and accents. You simply input the text you want to be spoken and the voice generator produces it in audio files for you to use. Play.ht is very customizable, giving you the option of adding expressiveness and emotions to your voices.
Many of the professional voice actors on this list have experience in other fields such as audiobooks, podcasts, explainer videos, eLearning, tv commercials, voice mail systems, and video games.
Produce anime voiceovers with Speechify
You can make quality anime voiceovers with Speechify. This text to speech tool uses AI voice synthesis to create natural-sounding voices in a variety of languages and accents. You simply input the text that you want to hear, and the software will convert it for you.
Additionally, you can customize the reading speed and experiment, crafting the perfect voiceover and mimicking the expressive emotions present in human speech.
Give Speechify voiceover a try.
FAQ
How much do anime voice actors get paid?
On average, a starting anime voice actor can expect to earn around $60-$100 per hour, while more experienced and popular voice actors can earn several hundred dollars per hour.
How do you get hired for anime voice acting?
To get hired for anime voice acting, you can start by creating a demo reel that showcases your voice acting skills and submitting it to casting directors or talent agencies that specialize in voice acting.
What are the benefits of hiring a voice actor?
The benefits of hiring a voice actor for anime include adding a unique and distinctive voice to the characters, bringing authenticity and emotion to the performances, and improving the overall quality and appeal of the production.
Who is the best voice actor?
It’s difficult to determine who the “best” voice actor is, as it is subjective and depends on personal preferences. However, some well-known and highly-regarded voice actors in the anime industry include voice actress Megumi Hayashibara, as well as male voices Mamoru Miyano and Rie Kugimiya.
How long does it take for a voice actor to record a voice for an anime show?
The time it takes for a voice actor to record their lines for an anime show can vary depending on the length and complexity of the script. It also depends on the individual actor’s skills and experience. On average, a 30-minute anime episode can take several hours to record.
