Multiple Genshin Impact characters remain unvoiced in English dub amid voice actors' strike

Genshin Impact Version 5.1 was recently released, bringing fresh new content to the game. The update further advances the Natlan Archon quests, focusing on resolving the ongoing internal crisis in the nation of Natlan. However, players quickly noticed that certain characters were not voiced in the English dub for the new Archon quests. Information regarding the same was also added to the official Genshin Impact version 5.1 patch notes.

The reason behind the missing voice-overs for the English dub has been cited as issues with 'recording arrangements.' This issue can be traced back to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike by the English voice actors.

This article discusses the strike and plausible causes behind the lack of English voice-overs in certain content released in Genshin Impact 5.1.

---

Kinich and Kachina have no voice-overs in the English dub for Genshin Impact 5.1

HoYoverse has officially addressed the lack of English voiceovers for certain characters via the Genshin Impact 5.1 patch. Here is their statement regarding this issue, as stated in the patch notes:

"Due to recording arrangements, some content in Version 5.1 does not have English voice-overs. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused."

The missing voices for characters in the English dub of Genshin Impact are a result of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strike. The SAG-AFTRA strike has been in motion since July 2024, and multiple voiceover artists have been participating in this strike to demand protection from AI usage.

The video game production pipeline has recently seen an increase in AI voice-over usage. SAG-AFTRA members are on an indefinite strike to demand better protection from such incidents.

Formosa Interactive LLC, one of the production companies that voice actors are striking against, is a studio that handles HoYoverse's English dubbing. Since the studio has not yet complied with the demands made by the voice actors, artists have refused to work with the production company until their demands are met.

Kinich's character teaser and trailer were released in Japanese dub instead of English (Image via HoYoverse)

The ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike had not adversely affected any previous Genshin Impact live content, with the missing voiceovers in Version 5.1 being the first such instance.

However, the recently released character trailer and teaser for Natlan character Kinich, and the Collected Miscellany videos have all been posted in Japanese on Genshin Impact's English YouTube channel. Furthermore, the Genshin Impact 5.1 English livestream was not hosted by the voice actors (as is the norm) but was instead presided over by two members of the English localization team.

Players will have to wait and watch to see how this situation unfolds and to find out whether Kinich and Kachina will get their voices back in the final installment of the Archon Quest will be released in future patches.

---

• Genshin Impact Chasca leaks: Splash art, namecard, signature weapon design and more
• Genshin Impact Ororon leak shows splash art, namecard, and more
• Genshin Impact 5.2 weapons leak: Free 4-star sword and more
• Genshin Impact: Chasca's signature Bow Astral Vulture's Crimson Plumage stats and effects leaked
• Genshin Impact 5.2 leaks show new area northwest of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame