Bad or Worse Voice Actors in Kingdom Hearts

[TheApprenticeofKingMickey 3,689]

Who in your opinion, is a terrible voice actor and ruined the character they were voicing in the English/Japanese versions of the Kingdom Hearts games? My opinion is, all the voice actors in the Japanese version were pretty decent. But I can name a few English VAs that couldn't voice act AT ALL. Jason Dohring, Willa Holland, Leonard Nemoy, David Boreanaz, Mena Suvari. . . . Shall the list go on?

 

Apologies if there's already a thread like this.

[Miku Hatsune 636]

I didn't like Brittany Snow as Namine. At all.

 

Like... I like Namine and everything, but her voice... It just sounded firetrucking terrible in my opinion.

Sora's was okay, but not the best. I felt it could've been a lot better.

 

And I just don't like Kairi altogether so maybe it'll sound a little biased if I said I didn't like her voice either?

[Aqua7KH 5,395]

We all know Quinton Flynn is holy.

[Kishira 2,854]

What's-her-face that voiced Xion sucked. When it came to the oh-so-sorrowful end, I was too busy cringing at how bad*cough*awesome*cough* she sounded to feel sad at all! If anything, it made me laugh. Hayden, please voice Xion from now on. >->;

[kingdomlanelover 494]

Terra was aweful in english. I didn't like Meghan Martins voice as Namine'

[Queen Tery 4,591]

i feel like haley joel osments voice for sora, is really good, but he chokes up some of the lines. Although, he did do a great job as Vanitas. I feel the same way about Willa Holland for Aqua. Her voice fit, but her acting was terrible. Even more so that Haley for Sora. Also, i didnt think that Jesse McCartney did that great on Ventus, at first. He got better as the game went on though.

 

What's-her-face that voiced Xion sucked. When it came to the oh-so-sorrowful end, I was too busy cringing at how bad*cough*awesome*cough* she sounded to feel sad at all! If anything, it made me laugh. Hayden, please voice Xion from now on. >->;

 

i believe it was Alyson Stoner

[DragonMaster 1,166]

The only two voice actors that I can think of that I didn't like was Willa Holland and whoever voiced Terra.

 

To be honest, I like the English voices better, but I'm pretty sure its because I can't comprehend the Japanese language in any form.

[bambii 34]

How about we just list the GOOD English voice actors, since most of them are really bad? Leonard Nimoy, Christopher Lee... just goes downhill from there. (The absolute worst being Terra's voice)

[13kingdomkey13 3]

Eh Alison Stoner pretty much killed Namine's voice. The original is much better. The english Xehanort sounded like Yoda gargiling nails, so he can improve that while still keeping the creepy-evilness too it.

[Nikolasvanitas 358]

i liked haley joel osment as both sora and vanitas ,i think voiceacting 2 completely different roles proves how good he is,also the voiceactor of master eraqus the jedi knight

[JTD95 1,107]

Alison Stoner as Kairi in Re:Com and as Xion was horrible! Also, Mena Suvari, my head hurts when she talks.

 

But, how could you not like Leonard Nimoy? He was awesome as Master Xehanort.

[A Black Sun 22]

aqua's cool but willa holland did just kindof ruin her

[wayfinder823 477]

I don't understand why everyone says the Japanese VA are so superior, when they don't know a word of Japanese. (Not targeting anyone on this thread--I've just noticed it a lot on this site and tons of others.)

 

I, for one, have no opinion on the Japanese VA, because I don't know Japanese, therefore, I can't make any kind of criticism on how that line should have been delivered. I don't know the grammar, or the ways they interpret tones of voice. So I hold no opinion on the Japanese VA.

 

However, I do know English, so I can critique the English VA.

 

VA is alot easier said than done. It's hard to convey a sentence to a microphone in the right way, especially since they are not 100% fully acting it out (as in body language and facial expression.) VA are trying to match the emotion they seen/feel in the script and sometimes on the screen in front of them, and because they are only providing the Voice, and not the body language or the facial expressions, it can sometimes feel "lacked." (For lack of a better word.... ha ha ha)

 

For Kingdom Hearts production, I thought all of them did decently fine, knowing how hard it is to actually Voice Act a character. I give tons of kudos for Haley! Face it, Sora has tons of cheesy lines, which is NOT his fault, (it's the English translators/script writers) but Haley was able to deliver them respectively. Same goes for Jesse McCartney for Roxas/Ventus. I thought he did a wonderful job.

 

Now, as for the VA who I thought did the worst, was without a doubt, Aerith (Mena Suvari). UGH! The worst acting I've ever heard!!! Worst! She took way too many awkward pauses and her voice was shaky and just sounded completely fake! If she makes another appearance, PLEASE either get the VA from Crisis Core or Mandy Moore--ANYONE but her voice from KHII. David Boreanaz (Leon) was pretty bad too, but Aerith in KHII takes the cake!

 

Now, as for Jason Dohring, (Terra), I didn't necessarily think he was awful. Just.... he could have done more. His VA was very flat and emotionless 97% of the time.

 

I felt the very same the first time I heard Aqua speak, but as the game went on, Willa's voice really grew on me, and I didn't mind her VA as much anymore. She still could have had more emotion and personality.

 

As for the Namine VA--between the two of them, I think I prefer Meghan over Brittany Snow. Brittany had a shy voice, which I guess fits Namine, but... I don't know... there was something about how Meghan delivered her lines that makes me prefer her voice over Brittany.

[ssceles 134]

As great as Leonard Nimoy is, as a guy, he just wasn't right for the role of Master Xehanort, imo. I don't like Aqua's voice actor lived up to her Japanese equivalent, either. Birth by Sleep bothers me the most because I actually played that one in Japanese first. =/

 

I think Marluxia's voice was a bit lackluster in re:CoM. I was looked forward to something.... else.

 

And I'll always prefer Billy Zane over Richard Epcar for Ansem, Seeker of Darkness, but there's no helping it now.

[bambii 34]

I mean, the thing is, I understand mediocre/bad voice acting for the great many unimportant characters. But they really should put more effort into getting people who know how to voice act for the more important characters.

[Oishii 3,987]

This is when I'm glad I have language processing disorder Those slight differences in voice inflections are lost on me so I can enjoy even the voice actors that aren't so good. I just know there aren't any that are so bad that they can't portray the character at all because I can definitely hear that.

[Setrex 1,031]

I didn't like Jason Dohring as Terra.

There are so many good VA's in KH, but you have to look at Quinton Flynn, Kirk Thornton, Mark Hammil, Richard Epcar.. you know the ones who are voice actors for a living they know how to voice act and well more common "celebs" don't. Alyson Stoner was only there because of her ties with Disney as well as Meaghan Jette Martin (but I liked her as Namine over Brittany Snow). As for Haley Joel Osment well, I think he gets better as each game continues and he was fantastic as Vanitas. Nimoy was a good Master Xehanort and I do like Jesse McCartney as Ventus and it was definitely an improvement over his work on Roxas from KH2 (but he has since done voice work for Days and the Tinkerbell movies so I'm sure he knew what to do )

I can't believe no one mentioned David Gallagher as Riku I thought he is brilliant and he IS Riku

I think every game/series has it's share of hit and miss VA's but in my opinion KH has more good ones then bad ones.

[Imoore4 687]

I hate this thread.Willa..this was her second time voice acting,she didn't have much experience and she actually did a pretty decent job.

Jason...this was his first time voicing in a video game he didn't have that much experience.Alyson..she did a pretty decent job too!

I hate when people buy japanese games even though you can put them in English.Mena could've sounded better I agree...

But hey it's called GETTING USED TO THEIR VOICES!

[Keyblade King 12 486]

Okay, I'm kinda laughing at some of these. Voice Acting is EXTREMELY difficult. Especially when you're doing something that was originally made in Japan. When a person voices an english version of an anime, they're constantly pressed to do their lines as well synced as possible, because otherwise, the timing is off because the original animation wasn't made for the English language. Also because of this, you're set up in the one booth, without anyone to bounce off the energy from, like you would if the project was english produced or if you were Japanese. And also, I'm surprised that people are actually criticize the wrong people for the work. If you don't know who's saying it, then don't criticize them.

 

Now, concerning people like Alyson Stoner, Jesse Mc'Cartney and Meaghan Martin, this was their first ever voice acting work. Cut them some slack, they've all grown much better. None of the voice actors in Kingdom Hearts are particularly awful. True Brittany Snow and Mena Suvari weren't amazing in their works with their characters but they weren't bad either. And just think, could any of you actually do any better before you start slagging people off?

[AnHeiressofaSOLDIER 358]

OMG, the voice acting was so, so bad in KH1! Not their fault, of course. They were young and inexperienced, but wow. It's part of the reason I really want a KH1 remake with redubbing. Though you know a lot of people will complain in losing Sora's "cute" young voice. I thought it was adorable, too. But I would understand why they'd do the redubbing.

 

I don't know why everyone complains about Terra's voice actor. I thought he did a pretty good job as the game went on. Definitely not the worst voice actor, I think.

 

As for Willa, Aqua's VA, I didn't like her at first. Mainly because I loved her Japanese voice actor, but as the game went on, I adored her. I really see her as Aqua now -shrugs-

 

Of course I think Haley, Jesse, and David are all golden. I love you three. I love you for your awesome VAs, and being with the series all the way through. Even though I know you'll never read this, THANK YOU! Thank you so much for bringing these characters to life. I can't thank you enough!

 

I think Hayden does a good job. I just wish Kairi did more so we could really see her shine, but since Hayden came back for BbS... it's making me think something awesome will happen with Kairi in the future. And though I didn't mind Alyson, I hope Hayden voices Xion from now on, like she did in BbS.

 

Now, about Nami's voice actors... I really loved Brittany Snow. At first, I didn't really like Meghan because of that. But her line in CoM, "I don't care what happens to me. I won't hurt Sora, I won't do it!," really impressed me. Since then, I think she's done a great job. She has an awkwardness and intellect that fits the character, I think. And she does a good job at being emotional, but not too emotional. Naminé is, after all, a Nobody.

 

As for everyone else, I think you guys have it covered. Quinton Flynn is god's gift to voice acting. Christopher Lee is great. Leonard Nimoy (I hope I got that name right) is amazing. I like Richard Epcar. And I really love Eraqus. He was the Fire Lord on Avatar, which is made of win.

 

Now, the only person I really have trouble with is Mena. OMG, get Aerith's CC voice actor! That girl really grew on me as Aerith, and I think Mandy Moore's too "important" to be Aerith again.

 

I also didn't really like Vivi. It was okay, but not what I imagined Vivi to be.

 

And I also like Christy Carlson Romano as Yuffie better. Nothing against the KH2 and DoC voice actor (she was freaking Katara, and that's awesome), but I think Christy had more of a charm with Yuffie. IDK.

 

As for Organization members not already mentioned, I like Xemnas, Xigbar, Vexen, Zexion (eh...), Saïx, Demyx, Luxord (eh...), and Larxene.

 

Also, am I the only one who was really impressed with the voice actors for Hayner, Pence, and Olette?

 

Shutting up now.

[Keyblade King 12 486]

OMG, the voice acting was so, so bad in KH1! Not their fault, of course. They were young and inexperienced, but wow. It's part of the reason I really want a KH1 remake with redubbing. Though you know a lot of people will complain in losing Sora's "cute" young voice. I thought it was adorable, too. But I would understand why they'd do the redubbing.

 

I don't know why everyone complains about Terra's voice actor. I thought he did a pretty good job as the game went on. Definitely not the worst voice actor, I think.

 

As for Willa, Aqua's VA, I didn't like her at first. Mainly because I loved her Japanese voice actor, but as the game went on, I adored her. I really see her as Aqua now -shrugs-

 

Of course I think Haley, Jesse, and David are all golden. I love you three. I love you for your awesome VAs, and being with the series all the way through. Even though I know you'll never read this, THANK YOU! Thank you so much for bringing these characters to life. I can't thank you enough!

 

I think Hayden does a good job. I just wish Kairi did more so we could really see her shine, but since Hayden came back for BbS... it's making me think something awesome will happen with Kairi in the future. And though I didn't mind Alyson, I hope Hayden voices Xion from now on, like she did in BbS.

 

Now, about Nami's voice actors... I really loved Brittany Snow. At first, I didn't really like Meghan because of that. But her line in CoM, "I don't care what happens to me. I won't hurt Sora, I won't do it!," really impressed me. Since then, I think she's done a great job. She has an awkwardness and intellect that fits the character, I think. And she does a good job at being emotional, but not too emotional. Naminé is, after all, a Nobody.

 

As for everyone else, I think you guys have it covered. Quinton Flynn is god's gift to voice acting. Christopher Lee is great. Leonard Nimoy (I hope I got that name right) is amazing. I like Richard Epcar. And I really love Eraqus. He was the Fire Lord on Avatar, which is made of win.

 

Now, the only person I really have trouble with is Mena. OMG, get Aerith's CC voice actor! That girl really grew on me as Aerith, and I think Mandy Moore's too "important" to be Aerith again.

 

I also didn't really like Vivi. It was okay, but not what I imagined Vivi to be.

 

And I also like Christy Carlson Romano as Yuffie better. Nothing against the KH2 and DoC voice actor (she was freaking Katara, and that's awesome), but I think Christy had more of a charm with Yuffie. IDK.

 

As for Organization members not already mentioned, I like Xemnas, Xigbar, Vexen, Zexion (eh...), Saïx, Demyx, Luxord (eh...), and Larxene.

 

Also, am I the only one who was really impressed with the voice actors for Hayner, Pence, and Olette?

 

Shutting up now.

 

Agree with you on almost everything there. But the lines about Hayden. She didn't play Kairi in BBS. Ariel Winter did. And Alyson Stoner voiced Xion in BBS.

[Setrex 1,031]

Agree with you on almost everything there. But the lines about Hayden. She didn't play Kairi in BBS. Ariel Winter did. And Alyson Stoner voiced Xion in BBS.

 

She returned to voice Kairi in the Blank Points secret ending.

[Keyblade King 12 486]

She returned to voice Kairi in the Blank Points secret ending.

 

Oh yeah. Forgot about that. Very small role. I was thinking of young Kairi.

[AnHeiressofaSOLDIER 358]

Agree with you on almost everything there. But the lines about Hayden. She didn't play Kairi in BBS. Ariel Winter did. And Alyson Stoner voiced Xion in BBS.

 

Really? I'm pretty sure the credits in BbS say Hayden voiced them both. I think IMDB even says that (though it's not always reliable). I could be wrong though. And I'm sorry if I am.

 

Aww, thank you. I put a lot of thought into this. I really like the KH VAs for the most part.

 

Also, I really liked your post. It's so true. English dubbing is very difficult. You have to get it within a certain time, and even then some things get cut off.

 

I noticed it in the old KH2 interviews. Like, in Hayden's here, her "This letter is where it starts, I know it," is so much more powerful, and emotional in this vid than it is in the game. However, they cut it down and it's not the actors' fault! For all we know, they could be delivering their lines perfectly, but it's shortened down so we miss the emotion.

 

Kairi Vid: http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lU3NmJoKcg

 

Also, I find this interview with Yuna's VA very informative about voice acting: http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDdsikeTqiw

[Keyblade King 12 486]

Really? I'm pretty sure the credits in BbS say Hayden voiced them both. I think IMDB even says that (though it's not always reliable). I could be wrong though. And I'm sorry if I am.

 

Aww, thank you. I put a lot of thought into this. I really like the KH VAs for the most part.

 

Also, I really liked your post. It's so true. English dubbing is very difficult. You have to get it within a certain time, and even then some things get cut off.

 

I noticed it in the old KH2 interviews. Like, in Hayden's here, her "This letter is where it starts, I know it." Is so much more powerful, and emotional in this vid than it is in the game. However, they cut it down and it's not the actors' fault! For all we know, they could be delivering their lines perfectly, but it's shortened down so we miss the emotion.

 

Kairi Vid: http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lU3NmJoKcg

 

Also, I find this interview with Yuna's VA very informative about voice acting: http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDdsikeTqiw

 

Sorry, I was thinking of young Kairi, which was not voiced by Hayden. But she did appear in Blank Points. But I think Alyson did do the voice of Xion in BBS. I could be wrong. But you're right, you can really tell the difference and thanks.