Black Celebs Who Voice Iconic Anime Characters in English Dubs

Anime dubbing has come a long way, and today it’s a vibrant industry with many talented voice actors. Black voice actors, in particular, have given iconic life to some of the most popular anime characters – from complex heroes to energetic leads. They bring unique depth and personality to these roles, connecting with fans worldwide. This list highlights the work of thirty exceptional Black actors who have made a lasting impact on anime through their voice work.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson, a major Hollywood star, made a big impact on the anime world with his role in ‘Afro Samurai’. He played the main character, a determined warrior seeking revenge, and perfectly captured the show’s serious and intense mood. Notably, Jackson voiced both Afro and his talkative companion, Ninja Ninja, demonstrating his versatility as an actor and his knack for blending dramatic moments with humor. His passionate performance was a key reason the series quickly gained a dedicated and loyal fanbase.

Beau Billingslea

Beau Billingslea was the voice of Jet Black, the dependable and fatherly figure in the classic anime ‘Cowboy Bebop’. He brought a sense of calm maturity and world-weariness to the show, which helped balance the more energetic personalities of the other characters. Jet Black is a beloved anime character, and Billingslea’s distinctive, gravelly voice is a huge reason why he’s so well-remembered. It perfectly captured the show’s gritty, noir-inspired style.

Keith David

Keith David, famous for his deep, resonant voice, powerfully portrayed the blind boar god Okkoto in the English version of Studio Ghibli’s ‘Princess Mononoke’. He perfectly captured the character’s sad dignity as a leader struggling against the growing power of humans. David’s performance conveys both Okkoto’s immense age and his fierce pride, making his eventual downfall especially moving. This role is a standout contribution to a widely celebrated animated film.

Phil LaMarr

Phil LaMarr, a very experienced voice actor with a long list of roles, is well known for voicing Omoi in the popular anime series ‘Naruto Shippuden’. Omoi is a character who worries a lot and tends to see the negative side of things, and LaMarr perfectly delivered these traits with great comedic timing. Even though Omoi is anxious, LaMarr also convincingly showed his skill and dedication as a swordsman during the war. His work on this long-running series demonstrated his talent for adapting to the unique style of shonen anime.

Zeno Robinson

Zeno Robinson has quickly become a popular voice actor, especially known for voicing Hawks in ‘My Hero Academia’. He perfectly portrays Hawks as someone who is both relaxed and thoughtful, cleverly hiding the character’s secret life as a double agent. Robinson skillfully captures both Hawks’ easygoing personality and his hidden, more serious thoughts. This performance has brought him a lot of praise and established him as one of the best voice actors in anime dubbing today.

Anairis Quiñones

Anairis Quiñones has quickly become a popular voice actor, best known for playing the strong and battle-ready Mirko in ‘My Hero Academia’. She perfectly captures Mirko’s powerful and confident personality with her performance. Quiñones also showed her versatility in the film ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ as Rika Orimoto, a heartbreaking and memorable character. These roles prove she can excel at both intense action scenes and emotionally complex characters.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito, known for his captivating and often intimidating performances, perfectly embodied the character of Faraday in the Netflix anime ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’. As a fixer in Night City, Faraday is a shrewd and dangerous character, and Esposito brought those qualities to life through his voice acting. His performance gave the English dub a strong, cinematic feel that enhanced the show’s dark and realistic story. Esposito’s voice made Faraday a truly compelling villain, adding a chilling edge to every scene.

LaKeith Stanfield

LaKeith Stanfield played the main character in ‘Yasuke,’ an animated series that retells the story of Yasuke, a real-life Black samurai. Stanfield brought a quiet, troubled feeling to the role, showing how Yasuke’s difficult past made him hesitant to fight. His subtle performance fit perfectly with the show’s unique and often dreamlike style. The series was a chance for Stanfield to combine his live-action acting skills with voice work in a story celebrating Black history.

Cree Summer

Cree Summer, a well-known voice actress, brought her signature raspy voice to the character of Storm in ‘Marvel Anime: X-Men’. She perfectly portrayed Storm’s strength and leadership as the X-Men journeyed to Japan. While Summer has voiced countless characters throughout her career, her interpretation of Storm in anime was especially enjoyable for fans of both the X-Men and the anime style. She delivered a performance that made Storm feel truly powerful and earned the respect of those around her.

Danielle Chambers

Dani Chambers is the voice of Chise Hatori in the enchanting anime series ‘The Ancient Magus’ Bride’. She brilliantly portrays Chise’s journey from a sad and shy girl into a strong magic user who learns to value herself. Chambers infuses the character with a delicate vulnerability, making the show’s most emotional scenes especially impactful. Her performance is key to creating the series’ warm, yet sometimes bittersweet, feeling.

Kevin Michael Richardson

Kevin Michael Richardson is famous for his incredibly deep voice and has played many characters, including Gato in the first part of ‘Naruto’. He brings a truly intimidating quality to the role of the ruthless businessman, immediately showing how dangerous the situation is for the main characters. A frequent contributor to animated shows and anime dubs, Richardson often voices villains or strong, powerful beings, and his voice instantly makes any scene feel more intense and commanding.

Gabe Kunda

Gabe Kunda is the voice behind the iconic Fisher Tiger in the popular anime series ‘One Piece’. He powerfully portrays the character, a fish-man who liberated slaves, capturing both his anger and kindness. Kunda also voices Rock Lock in ‘My Hero Academia’, a professional hero who is tough on students but cares about them deeply. His rich, commanding voice is perfect for characters with strong beliefs and natural leadership skills.

Ogie Banks

Ogie Banks is the voice of Darui, the Fifth Raikage, in both ‘Naruto Shippuden’ and ‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations’. He perfectly portrays Darui’s calm and easygoing personality, even though the character is incredibly powerful. Banks skillfully shows Darui’s development from a trusted advisor to a strong leader through small changes in his vocal performance. His distinctive voice helps Darui stand out within the large ensemble of characters.

Danielle Nicolet

I’ve always been so impressed with Danielle Nicolet’s work as Karui in ‘Naruto Shippuden’! She really brought that fiery, no-nonsense ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village to life. You could feel her impulsive energy and how fiercely she cared for her friends and Killer Bee. It was fantastic to hear her return for ‘Boruto’ as an adult Karui, too – she showed how the character had grown while still keeping that same spirited personality. Nicolet perfectly balanced Karui’s hot-headedness with a warmth that made you genuinely like her.

Tiana Camacho

Tiana Camacho is the voice of Ermes Costello, a key ally in ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean’. She portrays Ermes as a strong, resourceful character fueled by a need to avenge her sister’s death. Camacho skillfully blends Ermes’s fiery personality with heartwarming moments of connection and vulnerability with the main character, Jolyne. Her performance perfectly embodies the unique energy and unpredictable nature of the ‘JoJo’ series.

A.J. Beckles

A.J. Beckles is the voice of Takemichi Hanagaki, the main character in the time-travel series ‘Tokyo Revengers’. He does a fantastic job of showing Takemichi’s desperation and inner struggles as the character desperately tries to change a dark future for his friends. Beckles convincingly portrays both Takemichi’s frequent tears and moments of courage, grounding the show and making viewers genuinely care about this flawed but determined hero.

Major Attaway

Major Attaway voices Queen the Plague, a powerful member of the Beast Pirates in ‘One Piece’. He plays the villain with a lot of showmanship and energy, fitting for a character who breaks into song and dance even while fighting. Attaway seems to be enjoying himself in the role, bringing Queen’s quirky personality to life with a loud and lively performance. He successfully portrays Queen as both comical and a real threat.

Chris Jai Alex

Chris Jai Alex was the voice of Lord Boros, the alien villain in the popular anime ‘One Punch Man’. He played Boros with a bored, royal attitude that quickly turned into wild enthusiasm when he found someone who could actually challenge him. The fight between Boros and Saitama is famous, and Alex’s voice acting perfectly captured the energy of the animation. He portrayed the sadness and pride of a warrior who searched the universe for a truly exciting battle.

Bill Butts

Let me tell you, Bill Butts absolutely nails Cioccolata in ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind.’ He doesn’t just play a villain, he embodies pure, unsettling creepiness. Butts really digs into Cioccolata’s twisted personality, making him one of the most disturbing antagonists in the whole series. What’s brilliant is how he delivers Cioccolata’s obsession with death – it’s disturbingly calm, which is a fantastic contrast to all the crazy action happening around him. And that infamous ‘seven-page muda’ scene? Butts perfectly captures the villain’s desperation – it’s a truly memorable performance.

John Eric Bentley

John Eric Bentley voices Sonogong, the Ogre, in the anime ‘Baki’. He perfectly conveys the character’s powerful presence with a deep, rough voice. Bentley also plays King Bulgher in ‘One Piece’, demonstrating his range in action anime. He’s frequently cast as strong, intimidating characters, and his powerful voice perfectly suits these roles.

Imari Williams

Imari Williams powerfully voices Taiju Shiba, the formidable villain of the Black Dragon arc in ‘Tokyo Revengers’. His performance is chilling, highlighting Taiju’s incredible strength and disturbingly possessive love for his family. Williams dominates every scene with a booming voice that makes other characters – and the audience – fear him. He expertly portrays Taiju’s fanatical beliefs and violent nature.

Greg Eagles

Greg Eagles is well-known as the voice of Ninja Ninja, the energetic sidekick in ‘Afro Samurai’. Though Samuel L. Jackson voiced the character in the original series, Eagles provided the voice for the video game version and is a key part of the show’s unique feel. He also voiced Gray Fox in ‘Metal Gear Solid,’ a game popular with anime fans. Eagles is known for his lively and dynamic voice work, which often contrasts with the serious main characters he plays.

RZA

RZA, the famous hip-hop artist and producer, not only voiced the character DJ in ‘Afro Samurai: Resurrection’ but also brought his musical expertise to the project. As a longtime member of the Wu-Tang Clan, he’s a big fan of martial arts films and anime, which made his voice acting feel genuine and fit seamlessly with the show’s hip-hop style. His participation added a unique level of authenticity and excitement to the production.

Clifton Powell

Clifton Powell voiced the character of the First Brother in ‘Afro Samurai’, joining a cast full of well-known actors. He’s famous for playing serious roles in live-action films, and he brought that same weight and danger to his animated character. His unique voice is instantly recognizable and made the anime’s violent scenes feel more realistic and like a movie. He worked well with the other voice actors, creating a unified and tough-sounding experience.

Cedric L. Williams

Let me tell you about Cedric Williams’ performance as Don in ‘The Promised Neverland’. He absolutely nails the character’s initial energy and competitive spirit, but what’s really impressive is how he shows that gradually evolving into a deep, unwavering loyalty and genuine bravery. Williams perfectly captures Don’s youthful determination as he starts to unravel the disturbing truths about the orphanage. Honestly, his performance is what really carries the second half of the first season – Don’s emotional reactions are at the heart of so much of the drama between the characters.

Jaden Smith

Jaden Smith starred as Kaz Kaan in ‘Neo Yokio,’ a show created by Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and animated by the Japanese studios Production I.G. and Studio Deen. Smith’s performance is deliberately dry and understated as the pink-haired “magistocrat” who lives in a futuristic New York City. Though the show’s mix of American and Japanese styles isn’t for everyone, Smith’s voice is key to its unique, satirical, and dreamlike atmosphere. He perfectly portrays the character’s boredom and sense of privilege, often with unexpectedly funny results.

Isaac Robinson-Smith

Isaac Robinson-Smith is the voice of Ogun Montgomery in the action-packed anime series ‘Fire Force’. He portrays Ogun as calm and collected, with a natural flow that suits the character’s fire-based abilities and martial arts skills. Robinson-Smith perfectly captures Ogun’s playful competition with the main character and his serious determination in fights. His work enhances the dynamic team of Company 8, providing a solid and dependable presence.

As a longtime anime fan and movie critic, I was thrilled to see this list of 30 Black actors lending their voices to beloved anime characters in English dubs! It’s fantastic to see more representation in the voice acting world, and honestly, some of these performances are legendary. I’m particularly curious to hear which voice acting performance you all love the most – let me know in the comments!

2025-12-08 13:48