Black Celebs Who Voice Iconic Anime Characters in English Dubs

The world of anime dubbing has evolved significantly over the years, becoming a diverse industry filled with incredible talent from various backgrounds. Black voice actors have brought life to some of the most memorable and beloved characters in animation history, ranging from gritty anti-heroes to high-energy protagonists. These performers add depth, nuance, and distinct personality to roles that resonate with fans across the globe. This list celebrates the contributions of thirty talented Black actors who have left an indelible mark on the medium through their vocal performances.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is a Hollywood legend who brought his immense star power to the anime world in the titular role of ‘Afro Samurai’. As the stoic warrior seeking revenge for his father’s death, Jackson delivers a performance filled with grit and determination that perfectly matches the show’s dark tone. He famously voiced both Afro and his chatty sidekick Ninja Ninja, showcasing his impressive range and ability to balance drama with comedy. The series became an instant cult classic largely due to Jackson’s enthusiastic involvement and commanding vocal presence.

Beau Billingslea

Beau Billingslea provided the deep and resonant voice for Jet Black, the father figure of the crew in the legendary series ‘Cowboy Bebop’. His performance grounded the show with a sense of maturity and weary wisdom that balanced the more chaotic energy of the other characters. Jet Black remains one of the most respected characters in anime history, and Billingslea’s portrayal is a major reason for that enduring legacy. Fans instantly recognize his gravelly tone, which perfectly suited the noir atmosphere of the space western.

Keith David

Known for his commanding baritone, Keith David lent his voice to the blind boar god Okkoto in the English dub of the Studio Ghibli masterpiece ‘Princess Mononoke’. His performance captured the tragic nobility of the character, a leader fighting a losing battle against the encroachment of humanity. David conveys a sense of ancient power and desperate pride that makes Okkoto’s eventual corruption heartbreaking to watch. This role stands out as a significant contribution to one of the most acclaimed animated films of all time.

Phil LaMarr

A prolific voice actor with hundreds of credits, Phil LaMarr voiced the Cloud Ninja Omoi in the massive hit ‘Naruto Shippuden’. Omoi is known for his constant overthinking and pessimistic outlook, which LaMarr captured with hilarious comedic timing. Despite the character’s anxiety, LaMarr also effectively portrayed Omoi’s competence and loyalty as a swordsman during the Fourth Great Ninja War. His work in this long-running series highlighted his ability to fit seamlessly into the distinct style of shonen anime.

Zeno Robinson

Zeno Robinson has skyrocketed to fame in the voice acting world, most notably for his role as the Wing Hero Hawks in ‘My Hero Academia’. He brings a laid-back yet calculated energy to the Number Two Hero, perfectly masking the character’s complex double-agent status. Robinson captures the nuances of Hawks’ carefree exterior and his serious internal monologue with exceptional skill. This role earned him significant acclaim and solidified his status as a leading voice in modern anime dubs.

Anairis Quiñones

Anairis Quiñones voices the fierce and combat-loving Rabbit Hero Mirko in ‘My Hero Academia’, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Her performance exudes raw power and confidence, matching the character’s aggressive fighting style and fearless attitude. Quiñones also showcased her range by voicing Rika Orimoto in the hit film ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’, where she played a tragic and haunting figure. These distinct roles demonstrate her ability to handle both high-octane action and emotional character beats.

Giancarlo Esposito

celebrated actor Giancarlo Esposito brought his signature chilling charisma to the role of Faraday in the Netflix anime ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’. As a fixer in Night City, Faraday is calculating, manipulative, and menacing, traits that Esposito conveys effortlessly through his vocal delivery. His performance anchored the English dub with a sense of Hollywood gravity that elevated the show’s gritty narrative. The character serves as a perfect antagonist, with Esposito’s voice adding layers of menace to every negotiation.

LaKeith Stanfield

LaKeith Stanfield starred as the title character in the fantasy anime series ‘Yasuke’, which reimagined the story of the historical Black samurai. Stanfield portrayed the character with a sense of haunted stoicism, reflecting Yasuke’s traumatic past and his reluctance to pick up the sword again. His understated delivery worked well with the show’s atmospheric and sometimes psychedelic tone. This role allowed Stanfield to bridge the gap between live-action acting and anime voice work in a project centered on Black heritage.

Cree Summer

A veteran in the voiceover industry, Cree Summer lent her iconic raspy voice to the mutant Storm in ‘Marvel Anime: X-Men’. She captured the regality and leadership of the weather-controlling heroine as the X-Men traveled to Japan. Summer has voiced numerous characters over decades, but her take on Storm in an anime format was a treat for fans of both the franchise and the medium. Her commanding presence ensured that Storm felt powerful and respected among her peers.

Danielle Chambers

Dani Chambers voices the protagonist Chise Hatori in the beautiful and magical series ‘The Ancient Magus’ Bride’. She perfectly captures Chise’s evolution from a hopeless, withdrawn girl to a confident magic user discovering her self-worth. Chambers brings a gentle vulnerability to the role that makes the emotional moments of the series hit incredibly hard. Her performance is central to the show’s heartwarming and often melancholic atmosphere.

Kevin Michael Richardson

With one of the most recognizable deep voices in the industry, Kevin Michael Richardson has voiced various characters, including Gato in the early arcs of ‘Naruto’. He plays the ruthless shipping magnate with a menacing tone that establishes the high stakes for the young protagonists. Richardson is a staple in animation, and his contributions to anime dubs often involve imposing villains or powerful creatures. His vocal texture adds an immediate sense of threat and authority to any scene he inhabits.

Gabe Kunda

Gabe Kunda provides the voice for the legendary Fisher Tiger in the long-running epic ‘One Piece’. He delivers a powerful performance as the fish-man who freed slaves from the celestial dragons, embodying the character’s complex mix of rage and compassion. Kunda also voices Rock Lock in ‘My Hero Academia’, a pro hero who is critical of the students but ultimately protective. His deep voice commands attention and fits characters who possess strong convictions and leadership qualities.

Ogie Banks

Ogie Banks voices Darui, the Fifth Raikage, in ‘Naruto Shippuden’ and its sequel series ‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations’. He brings a cool, languid energy to the character, who is known for his relaxed attitude despite his immense power. Banks captures Darui’s transition from a loyal right-hand man to the leader of his village with subtle shifts in authority. His unique vocal tone makes the character stand out among the vast cast of ninjas.

Danielle Nicolet

Danielle Nicolet voiced Karui in ‘Naruto Shippuden’, a fiery and outspoken ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village. She captured the character’s impulsive temper and intense loyalty to her friends and master, Killer Bee. Nicolet later returned to the franchise to voice the character as an adult and mother in ‘Boruto’, showing a slightly more matured version of Karui. Her performance effectively conveyed the character’s hot-headed personality without losing her underlying likability.

Tiana Camacho

Tiana Camacho voices Ermes Costello, one of the main allies in ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean’. She brings a tough, street-smart attitude to the character, who is driven by a deep desire for revenge against her sister’s killer. Camacho balances Ermes’ aggression with moments of genuine camaraderie and emotion shared with the protagonist Jolyne. Her performance captures the intense and often bizarre spirit of the JoJo franchise perfectly.

A.J. Beckles

A.J. Beckles voices the protagonist Takemichi Hanagaki in the time-travel delinquent drama ‘Tokyo Revengers’. He effectively portrays the character’s desperation and emotional vulnerability as he repeatedly tries to save his friends from a grim future. Beckles handles the character’s frequent crying and moments of terrified resolve with great authenticity. His performance anchors the show, making the audience root for a hero who is physically weak but spiritually resilient.

Major Attaway

Major Attaway voices Queen the Plague, one of the top officers of the Beast Pirates in ‘One Piece’. He brings a theatrical and flamboyant energy to the villain, who is known for singing and dancing in the middle of combat. Attaway clearly has fun with the role, matching the character’s eccentric personality with a boisterous and entertaining performance. He manages to make Queen feel both ridiculous and genuinely dangerous at the same time.

Chris Jai Alex

Chris Jai Alex voiced the alien conqueror Lord Boros in the first season of the hit action comedy ‘One Punch Man’. He delivered the character’s lines with a regal sense of boredom that transformed into manic excitement as he finally found a worthy opponent. The battle between Boros and Saitama is legendary, and Alex’s vocal performance matched the intensity of the animation. He captured the tragic dignity of a warrior who traveled the universe just to feel the thrill of a fight.

Bill Butts

Bill Butts voices the twisted and sadistic Cioccolata in ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind’. He leans into the character’s unhinged and creepy nature, making him one of the most unsettling villains in the series. Butts delivers the character’s obsession with observing death with a chilling calmness that contrasts with the frantic action. His performance during the famous “seven-page muda” beatdown is memorable for how effectively he portrays the villain’s sheer desperation.

John Eric Bentley

John Eric Bentley provides the voice for Sonogong, also known as the Ogre, in the martial arts series ‘Baki’. He captures the sheer physical intimidation of the character through a deep and gravelly vocal delivery. Bentley also has a prominent role in ‘One Piece’ as King Bulgher, showcasing his versatility in different types of action anime. His commanding voice is often utilized for characters who rely on brute strength and intimidation.

Imari Williams

Imari Williams voices Taiju Shiba, the brutal and imposing antagonist of the Black Dragon arc in ‘Tokyo Revengers’. He delivers a terrifying performance that emphasizes the character’s overwhelming physical strength and twisted sense of familial love. Williams commands every scene he is in, using a booming voice that instills fear in the other characters. He perfectly captures the religious zealotry and violence that define Taiju’s personality.

Greg Eagles

Greg Eagles is the voice of Ninja Ninja, the constant companion and hype man to the protagonist in ‘Afro Samurai’. While Samuel L. Jackson voiced the character in the main series, Eagles provided the voice in the video game adaptation and is deeply associated with the franchise’s style. He also voiced Gray Fox in ‘Metal Gear Solid’, which, while a game, has significant overlap with anime fandom and style. His distinct, high-energy delivery provides a perfect counterpoint to stoic lead characters.

RZA

The legendary hip-hop artist and producer RZA voiced DJ in ‘Afro Samurai: Resurrection’, fully immersing himself in the world he helped score musically. As a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, RZA has always had a deep connection to martial arts cinema and anime culture. His voice acting in the movie felt natural and authentic, blending perfectly with the show’s hip-hop aesthetic. His involvement brought an extra layer of credibility and cool to the project.

Clifton Powell

Clifton Powell lent his voice to the character of the First Brother in ‘Afro Samurai’, adding to the star-studded cast of the series. Known for his intense live-action roles, Powell brought a similar level of gravity and menace to his animated counterpart. His distinctive voice is instantly recognizable, grounding the stylized violence of the anime with a sense of cinematic realism. He played off the other actors well to create a cohesive and gritty auditory experience.

Cedric L. Williams

Cedric Williams voices Don in the psychological thriller ‘The Promised Neverland’. He portrays the character’s energetic and somewhat competitive nature, which eventually gives way to deep loyalty and bravery. Williams captures the youthful determination of Don as he uncovers the dark secrets of the orphanage. His performance is crucial in the second half of the first season, where Don’s emotional outbursts drive much of the interpersonal conflict.

Jaden Smith

Smith voiced the main character Kaz Kaan in ‘Neo Yokio’, a show created by Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig and produced by Japanese studios Production I.G. and Studio Deen. Smith delivers a deadpan performance as the pink-haired “magistocrat” navigating a futuristic version of New York City. While the show is a polarizing blend of Western and Japanese styles, Smith’s vocal work is central to its satirical and surreal tone. He captures the ennui and entitlement of the character with surprising comedic effect.

Isaac Robinson-Smith

Isaac Robinson-Smith voices Ogun Montgomery in the fiery action series ‘Fire Force’. He plays the character with a sense of cool composure and rhythmic dedication, fitting for a pyrokinetic who uses martial arts. Robinson-Smith captures Ogun’s friendly rivalry with the protagonist and his moments of intense focus during battle. His performance adds to the diverse roster of Company 8’s allies, bringing a steady and reliable energy to the team.

30 Black Celebs Who Voice Iconic Anime Characters in English Dubs – Share your favorite performance from this list in the comments!