Amazon has withdrawn its AI-generated English dubs for several anime titles, including Banana Fish, No Game No Life: Zero, and Vinland Saga, following widespread criticism from voice actors and fans. The AI dubs, which were introduced on Prime Video last month, were met with ridicule and labeled as “soulless” and “disrespectful” due to their poor quality and flat delivery.
The decision to use AI-generated dubs was particularly contentious for Banana Fish, a highly acclaimed anime series that explores LGBTQ+ themes. The show’s fans had long been hoping for an official English dub, but the AI-generated version fell far short of their expectations. Voice actors, including Daman Mills and Jacob Hopkins, expressed their disappointment and outrage on social media, with Mills calling the move “disrespectful” and Hopkins describing it as “erasure.”
The use of AI-generated dubs also raised concerns among voice actors about the potential impact on their profession. Johnny Young Bosch, a well-known anime voice actor, questioned the value of aspiring to become a voice actor if AI could replace human talent. Others, such as Briana White, raised questions about the training data used to generate the AI dubs and whether the original voice actors would receive credit or compensation for their work.
The National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) issued a statement criticizing the use of AI-generated dubs, arguing that they lack the skill, emotion, and nuance that human voice actors bring to a performance. The organization emphasized the importance of human dubbing in creating a connection with audiences and respecting the original work.
Although Amazon has removed the English AI dubs, the issue is not yet resolved. The company still offers AI-generated dubs in Spanish for the same titles, which has prompted calls for their removal as well. Voice actors and fans are pushing for Amazon to commit to using human talent for all its dubbing work and to support the artistic value of the original content.
This incident highlights the challenges and limitations of using AI-generated content, particularly in creative fields where human emotion and nuance are essential. As Amazon continues to explore the use of generative AI in its services, it will need to balance the benefits of technology with the value of human talent and the expectations of its audience.
