Demon Slayer has been one of the top mainstream anime ever since it was released. Featuring such vivid visuals, intense battle sequences, engaging storyline, and admirable characters, shōnen fans really appreciated this series. Demon Slayer’s movie overtook Spirited Away and became the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, along with the highest-grossing film in 2020. Fans were highly excited for the conclusion to the Swordsmith Village arc back then.
BuzzFeed interviewed the English dub cast of Demon Slayer to learn more about how this intriguing series was developed. The cast consisted of Zach Aguilar, who voiced Tanjiro; Abby Trott, the voice for Nezuko; Aleks Le, who voiced Zenitsu; and finally, Inosuke’s voice, Bryce Papenbrook. Buzzfeed asked several questions, from the plot developments to the challenges these actors faced while playing the role of their characters.
What did Inosuke’s voice actor share regarding his role in Demon Slayer?
BuzzFeed interviewer talks about the diverse range of emotions observed in Demon Slayer. In some instances, Tanjiro is delighted to be training with his friends, while in others, he is yelling at the top of his lungs, witnessing Gyutaro getting beheaded. The interviewer asked Bryce Papenbrook, “What’s it like recording such expressive and emotional dialogue in the voice recording booth?”
He replies to BuzzFeed, “Each recording session as Inosuke is definitely a workout.” Considering all the yelling he had to perform for Inosuke, Papenbrook adds furthermore that, “Just like Inosuke, I’ve been training my ass off for years.”
He shared his experience regarding vocal training and how it started while he used to teach martial arts. He told BuzzFeed, “I would teach multiple classes daily, and constantly yell at my students to motivate them. All that yelling in the gym has really come in handy voicing Inosuke.”
“I also mimic his movements the best I can in front of the microphone. One moment that stands out is during the Entertainment District arc when Inosuke is moving through a small tunnel to find the demon he is chasing. He squirms like a worm, and I did the same wriggling to get that movement in my voice.” Bryce Papenbrook tells BuzzFeed and also expresses his feelings about the character itself. Inosuke is a pretty lighthearted character in such an intense plot. From time to time, he has added energy and comedy to some of the most depressing moments in the series.
How did Bryce Papenbrook prepare for his role of Inosuke in Demon Slayer?
Steve Staley was the English voice director for Demon Slayer and Bryce Papenbrook admitted having a “really good time recording on Demon Slayer.” to BuzzFeed. He said that Staley helped him bring out his “insane, feral energy for Inosuke.”
Bryce also opened up about the voice training he usually did before starting his role. He told BuzzFeed, “The first is something I don’t usually do before recording: a vocal warm-up. This consists of getting in my car, sitting in traffic, making eye contact with another driver and laughing like Inosuke.” Afterward, he moves on to explain, “The second involves dark, disgusting coffee.” He bantered about making the darkest coffee. He said he could get angry because of the coffee being inhumanely bitter.
Source: Buzzfeed
