Notable Anime Recastings Triggered by Salary and Contract Disputes

When anime series achieve global success, the voice talent behind iconic characters often seeks compensation that reflects the show’s financial growth. These negotiations sometimes result in stalemates where studios opt to replace established stars rather than meet demands for higher pay or union protections. This transition can be jarring for fans who have grown accustomed to specific performances over several years. Such recasts highlight the ongoing tension between production budgets and the professional demands of voice actors in the dubbing industry.

‘Mob Psycho 100 III’ (2022)

Kyle McCarley, who voiced Shigeo ‘Mob’ Kageyama in the first two seasons, was replaced for the third season after a dispute with Crunchyroll. McCarley requested that the production operate under a Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) contract to ensure better pay and benefits. Crunchyroll declined to meet the union terms, leading to the role being recast with a non-union actor. This decision sparked significant discussion within the anime community regarding the treatment of voice talent. The replacement occurred despite McCarley’s willingness to work for his previous rate if a union meeting was granted.

‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989–1996)

During the initial North American run, the series underwent a major casting overhaul when production shifted from the Ocean Group in Canada to Funimation’s in-house studio in Texas. The change was primarily driven by the rising costs of union-scale talent in Vancouver, which the production company sought to reduce. Actors like Peter Kelamis and Brian Drummond were replaced by Sean Schemmel and Christopher Sabat to lower the per-episode budget. This transition remains one of the most famous examples of a series recasting due to financial and contractual logistics. The new cast eventually became the definitive voices for the franchise in the West.

‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995–1996)

When Netflix acquired the streaming rights to ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’, they commissioned an entirely new English dub that did not include the original ADV Films cast. Original voice actors, including Spike Spencer and Tiffany Grant, indicated that the new contractual terms and pay rates did not align with their professional standards. The production opted for a complete recast to streamline the project under new management and budget constraints. Many fans were surprised by the change, as the original voices had been associated with the characters for over two decades. The redub featured a different script and a new ensemble to fit the updated financial requirements of the platform.

‘Saint Seiya’ (1986–1989)

The long-running franchise saw a complete overhaul of its English voice cast when the series moved to a new platform for its modern redub. Original voice actors from previous iterations expressed that they were not brought back due to disagreements over contract terms and wage scales. The production sought a non-union cast to maintain a lower budget, leading to the replacement of the entire principal ensemble. This shift caused a divide in the fandom between those who preferred the classic voices and those who accepted the new direction. The recast served as a significant example of how licensing changes can impact the financial viability of retaining original talent.

Please share your thoughts on these voice cast changes in the comments.