AI and Voice Acting: Seiyuu voices under threat and fans react

A new digital storm has erupted in the otaku community following the proliferation of viral videos that use artificial intelligence to clone the voices of famous seiyuu. Actors such as Yuki Kaji have expressed concern about the use of their voices without consent, starting a movement that seeks stricter legislation in Japan.

The controversy ignited when a series of Jujutsu Kaisen parodies used AI models to make the characters sing pop songs. Although many fans consider it “harmless content,” voice actors argue that their voices are their tools of the trade and their identity. “A voice actor puts their soul into every line; AI only imitates the surface,” paraphrased a major dubbing agency in an official statement.

Platforms such as YouTube and X (Twitter) have begun to receive massive copyright takedown requests, but technology is advancing faster than the law. This conflict has divided the community: some defend fan creativity, while others demand respect for the professionals who bring their favorite characters to life.
We are on the frontier of a new digital ethic. If we allow AI to replace or use an actor’s voice without compensation, we are devaluing the art of dubbing. Japan, a nation that idolizes its seiyuu, could be the first to put up a legal wall against these practices. It’s not just technology, it’s a matter of labor dignity.