How to become a voice actor for anime

Knowing how to become a voice actor for anime is crucial if you’re looking to start voice acting, create a niche, or expand your voice over opportunities.  Especially since 72% of Americans watch anime programs regularly in 2024. But in this graphic first world, anime voice actors must blend imagination and stamina to bring dynamic character emotions to life with vibrant screams, yells, and sound effects. So, here, we’ll cover more on how to become a voice actor for anime, anime voice acting jobs, and how much do anime voice actors make. 

What is anime voice acting  

Anime voice acting is a type of voice over – known as seiyuu in Japan – for animated characters or narrations in anime productions, and these vocal performances are used to dub anime content into different languages, making them available to international audiences. Becoming an anime voice actor requires a vigorous emotional and expressive vocal range to draw out intense character emotions, from deep sorrow to rampant joy, using just your voice. So, in one take, you might need to create multiple screams ranging from stubbing your toe to being blown up. You must also synchronize your lip performances with the on-screen movements when you understand how to become a voice actor for anime. 

How to become a voice actor for anime 

1. Hone your skills 

Anime voice acting involves serious acting, so analyze the performances of seasoned anime voice actors in English and Japanese to familiarize yourself with different styles, character archetypes, and cultural influences. 

2. Develop character voices 

Practice creating character voices to extend your versatility; experiment with pitch, tone, accent, and inflection to make different characters, from righteous heroes to sinister villains, more realistic.

3. Research culture and language 

When learning how to be a voice actor, research Japanese culture and customs to understand common phrases, honorifics, and references. This will help you accurately portray characters with your vocal style and tone. 

4. Create professional voice over samples 

High-quality voice over samples or demos highlight your range, talent, and ability and showcase your proficiency in anime voice acting. Include excerpts from anime-inspired scripts or reenactments of iconic anime scenes.

5. Attend workshops and conventions 

Workshops, seminars, and conventions focused on anime voice acting let you network with industry professionals and fellow voice actors to gain insights on how to be a voice actor for anime. 

6. Stay persistent 

Anime voice acting requires patience, perseverance, and resilience. You’ll face rejection and setbacks along the way but remain committed to learning how to be a voice actor by pursuing your passion for anime voice acting.

7. Build an online presence 

Social media platforms and networking sites let you share updates about your projects with audio samples or character reels to engage with fans and industry pros. You can also build a profile on Voice123 and make free samples to showcase your voice over skills.

How to get anime voice acting jobs

1. Audition online

This is the primary way to land anime voice acting roles. Look for roles on Crunchyroll or Casting Call Club. You can also create a profile on Voice123 to receive audition invites for a wide variety of voice over opportunities. 

2. Search social media 

Follow anime studios, casting directors, and voice actors on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn for updates on audition announcements or posts for anime voice acting jobs. 

3. Attend conferences 

Voice acting conferences help you build connections and find anime voice acting opportunities. By attending events like Anime Expo and Otakon, you’ll meet other pros, and you can participate in panels and workshops to showcase your talent. 

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How much do anime voice actors make? 

As of 2024, anime voice acting pays $48.17 hourly, $1,926 weekly, $8,349 monthly, and $100,198 yearly. The average monthly salary ranges from as low as $917 to as high as $13,333. Depending on skill and experience, anime voice actors earn between $50-70k per year. So, how much do anime voice actors make is a broad question because experienced anime voice actors can earn $500 per episode, but highly recognized voice actor names earn more. Tara Strong has a reported net worth of $12 million, and Troy Baker is worth $6 Million.

Famous anime voice actors

  1. Crispin Freeman: Known for his versatile anime voice acting style, Freeman has voiced characters like Alucard in Hellsing and Itachi Uchiha in Naruto.
  2. Tara Strong: Though widely recognized for her work in American animation, Strong is also a talented anime voice actor. She voiced Kaya in Princess Mononoke and Rikku in the Final Fantasy video game series. 
  3. Yuri Lowenthal: With a broad range of anime voice experience, Lowenthal is best known for voicing Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto and Yosuke Hanamura in the Persona video game series.
  4. Vic Mignogna: As another famous anime voice actor, Mignogna is best known for voicing Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist and Broly in the Dragon Ball series.
  5. Steve Blum: With a distinctive gravelly voice, Steve Blum is best known for his role as Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop and Orochimaru in Naruto.

Tips for success in anime voice acting 

1. Continuous learning 

Never stop perfecting your craft by attending workshops and taking voice over courses. Anime voice acting is dynamic, and staying updated on industry trends and techniques can give you a competitive edge. 

2. Health and well-being 

Your voice is your most valuable asset, so prioritize your well-being by staying hydrated, avoiding excessive throat clearing or shouting, and doing warm-up exercises to prevent strain. 

3. Adaptability 

When learning how to become an anime voice actor, experiment with styles like comedic and dramatic by adapting your performance to suit different tones and contexts. This will improve your emotional flexibility. 

Conclusion 

The vibrant world of anime voice acting is a journey and an art. To get anime voice acting jobs, you’ll need dedication and resilience to bring dynamic characters to life. Perseverance is key. Never stop honing your skills and versatility to carve a successful path in this niche industry. Stay connected with voice over communities to help you tackle challenges. Doing so will help you make your mark in the unique world of anime voice acting. 

FAQ's

According to ZipRecruiter, the average anime voice actor salary is $48.17 hourly, $1,926 weekly, $8,349 monthly, and $100,198 yearly. The average monthly salary ranges from $917 to $13,333. 

Anime sessions are taxing, so you must hone your acting skills and build vocal strength to deliver dynamic screams and sound effects. Create a professional demo reel and network at conventions and workshops.

Yes and no. While you don’t need a unique voice, getting noticed and hired as an anime voice actor does take lots of time and hard work. 

Some of the top anime companies are Sentai Filmworks, Crunchyroll, and Animeigo.

"Though most successful voice actors working in anime today started their careers as voice actors without any specific training in the field, almost all of them did begin their careers with certain things in common. Among these are acting experience, vocal range and the ability to assume and maintain a character. A voice actor is first and foremost an actor."

– Gravy For The Brain.