As Amazon Prime Embraces AI Dubs, Anime Is Setting Upon a Difficult Road

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide, and animation is no exception. Last week, Amazon announced it is testing AI-powered dubbing for select movies and shows on Prime Video, aiming to speed up localization by replacing original audio tracks with AI-generated translations. The initiative will start with 12 licensed titles that previously lacked dubbing, including the 2003 Spanish animated film El Cid: La Leyenda. Amazon says it’s taking a hybrid approach, allowing “local professionals to collaborate with AI to ensure quality control.”

So far, Japanese anime hasn’t been included in Amazon’s AI dubbing plans, but it seems like only a matter of time before AI-generated voices start making their way into the industry. Amazon, which recently announced streaming plans for Mobile Suit Gundam: GuuuuuuX, could certainly benefit from dubbing anime into different languages at the flip of a switch. While streaming platforms and some production companies see AI as a way to keep costs down and speed up production time, not everyone is excited.

American Voice Actors Speak Out

Japan’s Voice Actors Fight Back

American voice actors, especially those in anime, have been vocal about their concerns as AI-generated voices become more common. This has reignited conversations about job security, ethics, and the future of voice acting. Steve Blum, the voice of Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop, Hank Azaria from The Simpsons, and Sean Schemmel, the English voice of Goku in Dragon Ball Z, are among those speaking out. Blum has criticized AI voice cloning as “highly unethical,” while Azaria has warned that AI could replace human actors sooner than expected. Schemmel has also stated he has never authorized AI to use his voice. As AI dubbing becomes more widespread, many actors fear its impact on their performing careers.

Japanese voice actors share the same concerns, especially as AI edges closer to anime dubbing. Amazon’s AI-powered localization comes at a time when Japan’s voice acting industry is already pushing back against unauthorized AI-generated voices. In October 2024, 26 prominent Japanese voice actors launched the No More Unauthorized Generative AI campaign to fight against AI voice cloning.

Ryusei Nakao, the voice of Frieza in Dragon Ball, was shocked to learn that his voice was being sold without his permission, stating, "Our voices are the tools of our trade, our lives." Koichi Yamadera, known for being Spike Spiegel's Japanese voice actor in Cowboy Bebop, acknowledged AI’s potential but warned that making AI-generated voices publicly available—even without profit—could lead to serious problems. With Amazon now rolling out AI dubbing, voice actors in both the U.S. and Japan are calling for stronger protections to prevent AI from overtaking their industry.

Japan’s Growing AI Influence

The Future of Voice Acting: A Big Question Mark

In truth, Japan’s entertainment industry has already been moving toward computer-driven technology for years. Vocaloid software, like Hatsune Miku, has allowed users to create songs without human singers since 2004, while virtual idols and VTubers—some using AI-assisted voices and visuals—have skyrocketed in popularity both in Japan and internationally. With AI transforming industries everywhere, it was only a matter of time before it began reshaping voice acting as well.

Related 10 Best Anime & Manga About Artificial Intelligence While AI is often depicted as the enemy of humanity, manga and anime take a more clear-eyed view of the technology and its influence on society

As Amazon rolls out AI dubbing, the debate is heating up. Amazon is a major player in the anime space, so any move they make is sure to have broader implications for the industry. Will AI make dubbing smoother or push human voice actors aside? For now, actors are fighting back, fans are watching, and AI is waiting in the wings to take center stage. The future of voice acting just got a lot more interesting.