AI has, unfortunately, reared its ugly head in anime over the past few years. Whether that's ChatGPT-generated foreign-language subtitles, accusations over AI art, or – in one egregious instance – outright using AI instead of humans for voice acting, it's a scourge that has tainted the industry.
Whatever your opinion on AI, one Jujutsu Kaisen dub actor has spoken out about its usage, suggesting there will "always be something missing" if you ask a machine to produce a piece of voice acting.
"We are humans, right? We are social creatures; we pick up on these miniscule cues that most people aren't even aware of." Kayleigh McKee, who is the English voice actor for Yuta, tells GamesRadar+.
"A lot of people can hear a performance and be moved to tears and not even really be able to tell you every part of why that performance did that. It's because there's stuff that is uniquely human and biological, [a] heart to heart that we are built for as a species. Nothing will ever be able to replicate it because of the uniqueness of our human condition and the nuance which, I think, is a bit of hubris to assume we can simply craft it into being in such a short time."
McKee adds, "Even if a reasonable facsimile were able to be created, there will always be something missing, purely by the nature of it – not being a real, emotional being with agency."
Understandable actor concerns aside, there does appear to be a larger backlash forming against AI from audiences.
After Amazon's Banana Fish English dub was revealed to be AI-generated, the streamer doubled down with a job listing for a 'Creative Director, Dubbing' position that, among other things, sought to "drive global expansion of AI-enabled dubbing capabilities." The listing was removed less than a week later after many took umbrage with the post.
Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 is now streaming on Crunchyroll. For more, check out the Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 release schedule and our guide on how to watch Jujutsu Kaisen in order.
