Released in late 2021, Encanto ventures into fantastical realism and is an incredible addition to Disney’s list of animated movies. The tale of the magical Madrigal family has managed to capture the attention of countless viewers. The songs written by Lin Manuel Miranda have quickly become viral, with “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” standing out as particularly catchy and “Dos Oruguitas” nominated for an Oscar.
But Encanto hasn’t only cast its spell over the Western world. Though it honors the Columbian background of the story, the Disney release has been translated in numerous languages with famous voice actors. Japan is no exception. While some Japanese voices are more notable for their movie releases, anime fans have taken great pleasure in noticing that others appear in a lot of popular anime.
7 Isabela’s Aya Hirano Is Known From The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya
The golden child of the family, Mirabel’s sister Isabela undergoes quite a change throughout the movie. She feels pressured by her own image of perfection but eventually overcomes her misgivings after having a conversation with her sister. In the Japanese dubbing, Diane Guerrero’s original voice is replaced by that of Aya Hirano.
A well-known figure in the Japanese voice acting community, Aya rose massively in popularity after she starred as the protagonist of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. The eccentric school girl has unconscious god-like abilities that lead her to be naturally talented at everything. Originally quite self-centered, she becomes more empathetic in time, a character arc that has some things in common with Isabela’s. Aya has also played other popular roles, such as Death Note’s Misa Yamane and Fairy Tail’s Lucy Heartfilia.
6 Bruno’s Kazuya Nakai Has Starred In One Piece And My Hero Academia
The misfit uncle of the Madrigal family, Bruno is easily one of the most likable characters in the movie. In the original release, he is masterfully played by John Leguizamo. Kazuya Nakai takes over from Leguizamo in the Japanese dubbing. Nakai has had numerous famous parts throughout his long career.
The most notable one is Roronoa Zoro from One Piece, the first crewmate to join Monkey D. Luffy’s crew. Formerly a bounty hunter, he is a master swordsman and one of the most powerful combatants of the Straw Hats. Other major roles voiced by Nakai include Toshiro Hijikata from Gintama and Mugen from Samurai Champloo. More recently, Kazuya has appeared in My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission as the villain Flect Turn.
5 Agustin’s Tomokazu Seki Has Contributed In Fruits Basket And Jujutsu Kaisen
The father of protagonist Mirabel Madrigal, Agustin may not have powers, but he’s very determined to protect his family. Originally played by Wilmer Valderrama, he is voiced by Tomokazu Seki in the Japanese dub. Seki has had a long career, in a wide variety of roles, many of them well-known. He has voiced the piano student Shinichi Chiaki, one of the main characters of Nodame Cantabile, as well as Kyo Sohma from Fruits Basket. The cursed cat from the Soma family, Kyo is ostracized by his family due to his unique background. With time, he overcomes his trauma and finds love with protagonist Tohru Honda.
More recently, Seki has voiced Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corp in Demon Slayer. Another notable role is that of Jujutsu Kaisen’s Panda, the lovable, but secretly quite dangerous, cursed corpse created by principal Masamichi Yaga.
4 Felix’s Katsuya Has A Notable Role In Reborn
The fun-loving husband of Mirabel’s aunt Pepa, Felix is always there to support his temperamental wife. Their endearing relationship anchors Pepa, who often struggles with her hard-to-control magical gift. In the original movie, Felix is voiced by musician and actor Mauro Castillo. In the Japanese dubbing, Castillo is replaced by Hideto Katsuya, professionally known as Katsuya. Katsuya hasn’t had a lot of anime roles, favoring movies or series throughout his career.
However, he has taken a handful of voice-acting parts. A notable example is Katekyo Hitman Reborn!’s Dr. Shamal. Much like the anime’s other characters, Shamal is a very complex figure. He is a crazed womanizer and hits on every woman he sees, which may lead some viewers to not take him seriously. But in reality, he is very dangerous, as he is a notorious assassin called Trident Shamal.
3 Camilo’s Tasuku Hatanaka Stars In My Hero Academia And Sk8
The likable shape-shifter of the Madrigals, Camilo may love to play tricks on his family, but he’s also very supportive of them when they need it. He has that in common with other characters played by his VA. Originally voiced by Rhenzy Feliz, he is brought to life by Tasuku Hatanaka in the Japanese dub.
Camilo’s voice has easily been recognized as belonging to the popular Denki Kaminari, My Hero Academia’s very own Chargebolt. Denki’s friendly personality has made him quite approachable even for prickly characters like Katsuki Bakugo. His Quirk troubles are often used for comic relief, though short-circuiting one’s brain isn’t exactly funny. Despite not being academically bright, he has potential as a young hero. Other notable roles voiced by Tasuku Hatanaka include Sk8’s Reki Kyan and Tokyo Revengers’ Hakkai Shiba.
2 Mariano’s Shunsuke Takeuchi Has Appeared In The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls
Isabela’s boyfriend, Mariano Guzman, is a man in love with love. Throughout most of the movie, he’s quite smitten with Isabela, but when she eventually rejects him, he turns his affection towards her cousin Dolores. It’s perhaps appropriate that his Japanese voice actor is Shunsuke Takeuchi.
Taking over from Colombian singer Maluma, Takeuchi has appeared as the producer in The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls, the scout of the team of idols the anime rotates around. Other roles Takeuchi has voiced include Ryoken Kogami in Yu☆Gi☆Oh! VRAINS, Adam Whiteley in Moriarty the Patriot, and Alexander Yamato in King of Prism.
1 Osvaldo’s Yasuhiro Kikuchi Has Had A Role In Dr. Stone
A less preeminent character in Encanto, Osvaldo is a generous, if somewhat insensitive, man. At the beginning of the movie, he offers Mirabel a “Not-So-Special” Special gift. She also tells her to encourage Antonio on his behalf, as the last gift ceremony—Mirabel’s—was a bummer. He is also seen a few times in the village and has an appearance in the “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” song. Voiced by Juan Castano in the original, he is brought to life by Yasuhiro Kikuchi in the Japanese dub.
Kikuchi has also had a few minor roles in anime, including the role of Natri in Dr. Stone. One of the villagers of Ishigami Village, Natri is fairly practical and relaxed, accepting protagonist Senku Ishigami upon his first arrival. He often acts as an intermediary between Senku and the elders of the villagers, assisting the characters in whatever way he can throughout their adventures.
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