Death Note English Dub: A Look At The Voice Actors

Hey guys! Ever been completely hooked on an anime? I'm talking can't-stop-watching, need-to-know-what-happens-next obsessed? Well, for a lot of us, that anime was Death Note. And if you're like me, you probably spent a good amount of time watching the English dub. The English dub is fantastic! Let's be honest, it's not always the case, but the voice acting in Death Note brought the characters to life in a way that truly resonated with audiences. So, today, we're diving deep into the world of the Death Note English dub and taking a closer look at the voice actors who brought these iconic characters to life. We're going to explore who voiced your favorite characters and discuss what makes their performances so memorable. I'll even share some fun facts along the way! Ready to get started?

The Stars of the Show: Main Characters and Their Voice Actors

Alright, let's kick things off with the main players. These are the characters that drive the story, the ones we love to root for (or against!), and the ones whose voices we've come to associate with Death Note. The English dub cast of Death Note is filled with incredibly talented voice actors, and each of them brought something unique to their roles. Let's delve into these main characters and the voices behind them. The voice actors really made the series for many fans, myself included. It is hard to imagine anyone else in these roles!

Light Yagami - The Genius with a God Complex

First up, we have Light Yagami, the brilliant high school student who stumbles upon the Death Note and decides to become the god of the new world. This character is complex, manipulative, and incredibly intelligent, and the voice actor who brought him to life in the English dub had to capture all of these facets. The English voice actor for Light Yagami is Brad Swaile. Brad Swaile's portrayal of Light is nothing short of iconic. His voice perfectly captures Light's transformation from an idealistic student to a cold-blooded killer. Swaile's performance is incredibly nuanced, shifting seamlessly between Light's charming facade, his moments of genuine vulnerability, and his descent into madness. I mean, the way he delivers some of Light's iconic lines is just chilling! It's one of the best voice acting performances in anime history, if you ask me.

Brad Swaile has done a ton of other anime roles, but his role as Light Yagami is arguably his most famous. It's a role that has earned him a lot of respect in the voice actor community. He has brought a lot of other anime roles to life. To name a few, he was the voice of the young version of Kyo Sohma in Fruits Basket. He was also the voice of Amuro Ray in Mobile Suit Gundam. You will also hear his voice in other anime such as Gundam Wing and Inuyasha. His career as a voice actor is quite extensive, and it is a testament to his talent. His voice acting range is pretty wide, as well. He is also a writer and a producer!

L - The Eccentric Detective

Next, we have the brilliant and enigmatic detective, L. L's character is the perfect foil to Light, and the English voice actor for L had to be someone who could embody his eccentricities, intelligence, and mysterious nature. The voice actor for L in the English dub is Alessandro Juliani. Alessandro Juliani's performance is amazing. He perfectly captures L's unique mannerisms, from his hunched posture to his habit of eating sweets. Juliani's voice acting is so good at portraying L's intellect and his determination to catch Kira. His delivery of L's dialogue is spot on, and he conveys a sense of both quirkiness and underlying seriousness that makes L such a compelling character. I think he embodies the character perfectly!

Alessandro Juliani is also a very accomplished voice actor. He has done a lot of work in animation and video games. He has had a long career in both live-action and voice acting. He has had a lot of television and film appearances. This includes Battlestar Galactica, where he played Felix Gaeta. He has also appeared in shows like The 100. He also appeared in a number of video games, including League of Legends and Mass Effect. His range as an actor is pretty impressive!

Ryuk - The Shinigami with a Taste for Apples

How could we forget Ryuk? Ryuk is the Shinigami who drops the Death Note into the human world. Ryuk is a mischievous and bored god of death with a love for apples. The English voice actor for Ryuk had to be someone who could bring out Ryuk's playful nature. The English voice actor who brings Ryuk to life is Brian Drummond. Brian Drummond's voice acting as Ryuk is unforgettable. He perfectly captures Ryuk's mischievous and somewhat apathetic personality. His unique vocal style, the way he delivers Ryuk's lines, and his trademark laugh make Ryuk one of the most memorable characters in Death Note. His performance is so good at making Ryuk both funny and intimidating. He brings a lot of personality to the character. His presence is a perfect balance to the darkness of the series.

Brian Drummond is an extremely versatile voice actor. He has done a ton of work in animated series and video games. He's also known for playing Vegito in Dragon Ball Z. You may have also heard him in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. He has even done some live-action acting. He is a prolific voice actor, and I am pretty sure you have heard his voice at one point or another.

Misa Amane - The Idol with a Death Note

Misa Amane is another important character. Misa is a famous idol who becomes obsessed with Light and uses her Death Note to help him. Misa is a complex character. The English voice actor had to bring to life her bubbly personality and her devotion to Light, while also showing her moments of darkness. The English voice actor who portrays Misa Amane is Shannon Chan-Kent. Shannon Chan-Kent's portrayal of Misa is a wonderful thing to behold. She brings to life her bubbly personality and her devotion to Light, while still showing her moments of darkness and vulnerability. Her voice acting perfectly captures Misa's idol persona. Her voice acting skills really bring out Misa's devotion to Light.

Shannon Chan-Kent has had an extensive career as an actress and voice actor. She has appeared in a lot of animated series. She has had a lot of appearances in live-action shows and films, too. You can also hear her voice in many video games. She is a talented and versatile voice actor.

Supporting Characters and Their English Dub Voices

Of course, Death Note isn't just about the main characters. The supporting characters play a vital role in moving the story along and providing depth to the narrative. The voice actors who portrayed these characters in the English dub also deserve a lot of praise. They were all able to bring these characters to life in a way that fans enjoyed. Let's give them some credit!

Soichiro Yagami - Light's Father

Soichiro Yagami, Light's father, is a police officer who is committed to justice and has a strong sense of duty. The English voice actor who portrayed Soichiro is John Novak. John Novak's portrayal of Soichiro Yagami is perfect. He is able to capture Soichiro's strong moral compass, his love for his family, and his dedication to his job. Novak's voice acting skills really helped the viewers to empathize with Soichiro, even when he was at odds with his own son. He brought a lot of depth to the character.

Near - The Successor to L

Near is L's successor. He is also a brilliant detective. The English voice actor for Near is Michael Strusievici. Michael Strusievici did a fantastic job of portraying Near's cool and calculating demeanor. He really helped viewers understand his intelligence. His performance conveyed Near's analytical nature and his drive to solve the Kira case.

Matt - Near's Partner

Matt is Near's partner, and he provides a bit of a contrasting dynamic to the character. The English voice actor for Matt is Cole Howard. Cole Howard brought a fun energy to the character, bringing out the fun in this dynamic duo.

The Impact of the English Dub on Death Note's Popularity

The English dub of Death Note has played a crucial role in its widespread popularity in the West. It made the series more accessible to a wider audience. The quality of the voice acting in the English dub is a huge reason why so many people fell in love with Death Note. The actors perfectly captured the nuances of the characters. It allowed viewers to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The English dub is a testament to the power of excellent voice acting. This allowed Death Note to become a cultural phenomenon.

Fun Facts About the English Dub

• The director of the English dub was Kirby Morrow. Kirby Morrow was a very popular voice actor in the anime community. He was the voice actor for Miroku in Inuyasha. He passed away in 2020. He was loved by many fans. Rest in Peace, Kirby Morrow. He did an amazing job with the English dub of Death Note. He was the director for the entire series. That is quite the feat! He has a lot of other credits to his name as well. He did a lot of work on Gundam Wing, for example. His talents are a treasure in the anime community.
• Many of the voice actors in the English dub were relatively new to the anime scene. The success of the dub helped launch the careers of many of the cast members. The series helped the voice actors become famous.
• The English dub was recorded at Ocean Productions. Ocean Productions is a Vancouver-based studio. It is a well-known name in the anime voice acting world.

Conclusion: Celebrating the Voice Actors of Death Note

So there you have it, folks! A deep dive into the English dub of Death Note and the amazing voice actors who made it so memorable. From Brad Swaile's chilling portrayal of Light to Alessandro Juliani's quirky L and Brian Drummond's mischievous Ryuk, each actor brought something special to the table. Their skill, dedication, and talent are a huge part of what made Death Note the classic that it is. The English dub is a testament to the power of voice acting to bring characters to life and connect with audiences. I hope you enjoyed this look back at the English dub. I know I sure did. If you haven't watched Death Note in English, I highly recommend it! Until next time, keep enjoying anime, and keep an ear out for those incredible voice actors!