Dragon Ball's Goku to One Piece's Morgan: AI can become anime's greatest ally or worst enemy for voice acting

AI technology has become a force to reckon with across multiple industries, and the world of anime voice acting is no exception. The recent partnership between talent management agency Aoni Production and the AI voice platform CoeFont is a striking example of how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape the landscape of voice performances.

Leveraging the vocal data of renowned voice actors, such as Masako Nozawa (the iconic voice of Goku from Dragon Ball) and Banjō Ginga (Axe-Hand Morgan in One Piece), AI-replicated voices are now making their way into everyday applications. These include virtual assistants, robots, and navigation systems. But as with any disruptive innovation, AI’s growing presence in voice acting hints at both exciting opportunities and potential dangers.

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How using AI can benefit the anime industry

At first glance, this collaboration signals a bold step forward in the practical application of AI-generated voices. Using well-loved anime voices for virtual assistants or medical devices introduces a personalized touch, fostering a deeper emotional connection with users.

Imagine Goku helping people set an alarm or navigate through traffic, or hearing a familiar character’s voice comforting a patient during a medical procedure. These applications could blur the lines between fantasy and reality in a charming and nostalgic manner for fans, turning mundane tasks into something more magical.

Goku (Image via Toei Animation)

Moreover, the technology has immense potential for accessibility and preservation. By capturing the voices of legendary actors, AI allows for replicating their voices long after they’ve retired or passed away.

For instance, the late Kenji Utsumi’s voice continues to narrate classic Japanese literature via Sony Music Entertainment's YOMIBITO Plus audiobook app, powered by CoeFont’s AI technology. This use of AI allows fans to continue experiencing their favorite actors in new contexts, preserving their legacies in an enduring form.

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The danger of AI taking away jobs of anime voice actors

However, this growing use of AI in voice acting comes with significant risks, particularly to voice actors' livelihoods. The technology behind AI voice replication, while convenient and cost-effective, threatens to undermine the human element that has long defined anime voice acting.

The unique ability of voice actors to bring characters to life through nuanced performances, imbuing them with emotion, energy, and personality, could be lost in the mechanical perfection of AI-generated voices. No matter how advanced AI becomes, replicating human performers' subtle emotional range and spontaneity may remain a challenge in the future.

Axe-Hand Morgan (Image via Toei Animation)

Furthermore, this technology raises ethical concerns about performers' rights. The new Aoni-CoeFont project acknowledges these risks, promising not to use the voice training data for performances in animation or dubs. But this commitment only scratches the surface of a broader issue. If AI-generated voices were to replace human actors in anime, it could set a precedent that fundamentally alters the entertainment industry.

Actors could lose control over their vocal likenesses, with their voices potentially being used in projects or roles they did not agree to or even in languages they don’t speak. Such a shift could devalue voice actors' labor, treating their unique talents as just another data set to be commodified.

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Final thoughts

A snapshot from the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

AI has the potential to become anime’s greatest ally or worst enemy when it comes to voice acting. While it offers innovative possibilities for preservation, accessibility, and everyday use, it also presents risks to the craft and livelihood of voice performers. As this technology continues to evolve, the anime industry must tread carefully, balancing innovation with respect for the artistry and rights of human voice actors.