It’s no exaggeration to say that Adam McArthur is one of the most prolific voice actors in the industry. With over 25 years in the business, McArthur arguably first gained prominence his breakout role voicing Marco Diaz in the hit Disney animated series Star vs. the Forces of Evil. Since then, he’s broken into the world of anime dubbing in various smash-hit projects, most notably the main character Yuji Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen which was recently awarded a Guinness World Record for most in-demand anime and was also the recipient of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, Anime of the Year for 2024.
During San Diego Comic-Con, we had the opportunity to sit down with Adam McArthur to discuss his career. During our conversation, he also shared his thoughts on the current state on the animation industry as well as sharing his own fandom.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Taimur Dar: I’ve noticed a number of voice actors who primarily only did original animation have transitioning into anime dubbing. As someone who’s done both, could you describe your experience of pre-lay voiceover compared to dubbing?
Adam McArthur: My first paid professional voice acting job was in 1998. So it’s been interesting to see where the industry has gone. When certain things get more popular, they start producing more of that stuff. We’re in a weird time where a lot of original animation isn’t getting made as frequently as it used to. At least in the pilot phase. Every year there was a consistent period where you would get ten Disney pilots, and you would hope that yours would get greenlit.
As far as what’s more difficult, they each have their own challenge. I think creating an original character and honing that in with the creative team always presents a challenge. By the way, all the challenges in VO are very fun challenges. With dubbing, I always say it’s like acting within a box. You have your start point and you have your stop point. Another analogy would be rubbing your stomach and patting your head. You have to be a good actor while also managing the technical side of things, “Where do I start? When do I stop? Is my character moving? Is he taking a breath into this little line?”
My Hero Academia is a great example of an amazing dub. We’re seeing an uptick in the quality of the dubs that they’re producing. It’s also a testament to how popular anime has become. It’s everywhere right now.
Taimur Dar: It’s funny you mention quality of anime dubs in recent years. I was listening to this podcast interview with Michael Sinterniklaas where he discussed his frustration as fan with the early attempts to dub anime and his desire to improve them. For you, what does a quality anime dub entail?
Adam McArthur: That’s a great question. Anime does have a stereotypical sound even in the reaction and the breaths. I think it’s important to keep those things in because you’re honoring where it comes from. But I think we’re moving into a time where performance is a little more grounded. Productions are getting a little more time. Or maybe there’s an awareness that it’s popular, so the production companies are caring about it a little bit more. A lot of it is not just the acting performance. It’s the direction and sound engineering like how well it blends into the background. Some part of that is lacking too and it takes you out of it. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was probably one of the first anime that I ever watched. That dub is amazing. I think the My Hero Academia dub is amazing. All the new gen stuff we’re seeing is just awesome.
Taimur Dar: Even before COVID, I think a lot of voice actors already had a home studio setup. Those who didn’t had to scramble. For you, do you still go to the studio or do you have your own setup at home?
Adam McArthur: Thankfully, before COVID happened I already had my home studio setup. One of my ongoing regular jobs that I’ve had for quite some time is the voice of Disney XD. I’m the guy who says, “We’ll be right back with more Big City Greens.” Those sessions are about fifteen minutes long. The studio I was recording them in is about an hour from my house So I had a home studio so I didn’t have to drive three hours for a fifteen minute session. Then COVID happened and the first episode of Jujutsu Kaisen was recorded in my home studio. These days, most everything is going back to in studio, at least in LA, which I much rather prefer. It makes me feel like I have a job that I get to leave the house for which is nice. [Laughs]. I do still record all my auditions from my home studio and those Disney XD promos. Definitely for the bigger stuff it’s going back to in studio. If people have remote capabilities, most places are still open to that.
Taimur Dar: When I was a kid in middle school and high school, I was always cast as part of the ensemble in school plays. At the time, I resented it but as an adult I now have a greater appreciation for those in play incidental characters, especially in voiceover. Obviously, you’ve played both lead and minor supporting characters. For you as a voice actor, is it easy for you to abandon any sort of ego?
Adam McArthur: I have fun doing everything. Small parts, big parts. For me it’s all about getting to live out the dream that I’ve had since I was a kid. Truly with animation and VO, it takes a village. What I mean by that is the main actors aren’t going to sound as good without all the other additional voices there to fill out the scenes. Just like there is no show without the animators. Every job is important. Big, small, it does not matter. I approach all of this from a pretty humble place of gratitude. I worked on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem movie. I’ve been a Ninja Turtles guys since the ‘80s. If you saw how happy I was when they told me I was going to be doing additional voices for Ninja Turtles, you would have assumed they had cast me as Michelangelo. [Laughs]. I was so stoked. It does not matter the size of the job. I think it’s all just as important. There’s no ego in there for me at all.
Taimur Dar: There’s a scene in new Superman film with a news broadcast and as I was watching I instantly recognized the voice of voice actor Fred Tatasciore. I’m really curious when you watch a movie or TV show, do you ever recognize your VO colleagues and friends?
Adam McArthur: All the time! Sometimes it doesn’t happen until I’ve watched the thing for the hundredth time. One of my favorite movies of all-time is Rumble in the Bronx with Jackie Chan. Fred Tatasciore and Michael Sorich, a longtime voice actor who directed Jujutsu Kaisen, both of those guys played henchmen in Rumble in the Bronx. Michael had mentioned [it] in a session and I was like, “No way!” The longer he talked I knew exactly who he was because I’ve seen that movie so many times. I play video games pretty regularly and it happens all the time too. Like Solder 76 in Overwatch, I’ll call out his special move and go, “Wait a minute, that’s Fred Tatasciore!” All great people and friends of mine.
Taimur Dar: It goes without saying the new Superman film has resonated for audiences. So if you’ve seen it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Adam McArthur: What I loved about Superman so much is that it was a movie about uplifting and bringing people together. I love that Superman is wholesome and says things like, “Oh gosh.” It celebrates somebody being good as opposed to having to show us the humanity from a negative standpoint. The same thing with Fantastic Four. I thought it was interesting [and] cool how it’s a world where they’re accepted and elevated and everybody likes them. Even when stuff gets hard and people question them, they come around as soon as the Fantastic Four talk to them. We’ve been in a phase of life and humanity where we celebrate our differences.
Taimur Dar: That’s exactly I love doing press and attending conventions; the ability to connect with other people. Is that something you appreciate when you do conventions?
Adam McArthur: Absolutely. I’m lucky enough to travel around. I think I do 30-32 conventions a year. I’m at tables meeting fans constantly. Without [fans] there is no me. And I truly believe that. All my castmates from Jujutsu Kaisen will tell you that I’m a group activity guy. I like when we all hang out. It’s the same thing with how I view the experience of being a voice actor. This is my part. And the other part is people watching it and then we can get together and talk about it. It really comes down to the community. Any moment I’m chatting with fans is reinforcing this idea of community and friendship. Also I don’t view meeting fans as, “They’re here to see me, Adam McArthur.” They know me because of Yuji or Marco Diaz. When they come to stand in my line it’s not necessarily because they want to get to know Adam to be their new best friend. They want to have an experience and I’m the bridge. I will never not be grateful that someone stands in a line to say hello or grab an autograph.
I’ve had a few events where I’ve been on the top floor of one of the surrounding hotels for Comic-Con and looking out and the people. It brings everyone together. You look around the con floor and see people of different ages and ethnicities. It’s awesome.
Taimur Dar: Finally, any projects you want to plug?
Adam McArthur: Kaiju No. 8 is airing on Crunchyroll. Season 2 just started. New episodes air every Saturday morning. My favorite part about Kaiju No. 8 is they do day and date dub and sub drops. The Japanese and English come out at the exact same time which is something new for Crunchyroll. I don’t know if they watch it in English or Japanese, I’m telling fans to make sure they watch it and support the show.
Stay tuned to The Beat for more coverage from SDCC ’25.
