Masako Nozawa, the iconic voice behind Goku and other characters in the Dragon Ball franchise, has publicly condemned the use of artificial intelligence to replicate her voice without permission, likening the practice to "theft" and expressing her "furious" reaction.
Nozawa, an 89-year-old veteran of the voice acting industry, shared her strong feelings in a recent interview with Japanese outlet NHK. After being shown an AI-generated video that mimicked her voice, she stated, "That's not my voice. I can't forgive them for using it without permission; it's like theft, and it makes me furious. I believe my voice and my acting are my own."
She further elaborated on the distinction between AI-generated voices and human performance, noting that while AI might replicate the sound, it "lacks heart." Nozawa believes that genuine emotion is crucial in performance, even in simple expressions like crying, and that AI cannot replicate this essential element.
The controversy comes amid a growing trend of fan-made videos using AI to impersonate character voices. This issue is not confined to any single language or region, prompting voice actors in Japan to collaborate on developing the country's first guidelines for AI voice usage.
Recent legal developments in Japan offer some protection for voice actors. On September 30, the Tokyo District Court ruled that the unauthorized use of a person's voice constitutes an infringement of their right to publicity. This landmark decision followed a lawsuit filed by voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda against TikTok over an AI-imitated voice video. Nozawa expressed hope that these emerging rules will be respected by all.
Nozawa also encouraged aspiring voice actors to pursue their careers through dedication and hard work rather than relying on AI technology. "I want you to work hard so that you become someone people will definitely remember as a voice actor,” she advised. “If you don't put your heart into it, you'll just be reading the lines, so make them come alive."
As vice-chairperson for the Japan Actors Union, Nozawa participated in a press conference on October 15 to discuss the union's new AI voice guidelines. She acknowledged the impressive advancements in AI but expressed disillusionment when it is used without consent. Her hope is for a future where humans and AI can coexist harmoniously under established rules.
Other prominent voice actors have echoed Nozawa's concerns. Toshi Shimada, known for his role in Chibi Maruko-chan, stated his inability to accept the monetization of words or songs he never created, fearing the potential collapse of the voice acting industry due to unauthorized AI voices. Michihiro Ikemizu, Vice Chairman of the Union, highlighted job displacement as a primary concern and stated the union's aim to work towards legislation based on the new guidelines.
This situation follows a previous controversy involving Amazon Prime Video's AI-generated English dub of the anime Banana Fish in 2025. The backlash was significant enough for the streamer to remove the dub, raising concerns about the future of the dubbing industry.