Hello, hello! So I recently decided to try to get together a cast for a Fandubbing of the Persona 5 anime series. Now with the script finally completed, it is time to begin casting. Please note this project is unpaid. I am looking for a fairly diverse voice range in terms of pitch and tone, however accent wise a vast majority of the characters will possess a typically North-American accent so keep this in mind.
In case you are unfamiliar with the story of Persona 5, here's a brief rundown:
A small group of teenagers who are branded by typical society as "Delinquents" end up finding friends in one another and, using powers granted to them by a mysterious otherworldly force decide to create a better world by changing the hearts of twisted adults. With this goal they act under the alias of "The Phantom Thieves."
A couple of things to note before auditioning:
1) Please have clear audio - I'm not looking for absolute perfection but any reverb or clipping will be immediately rejected.
2) Please be sure you will have time to dedicate to this project - I understand things are likely to come up, but if you know you're not going to have time then please do not bother. The deadline is in a month mainly because that is the earliest that I will have lots of time to dedicate to this project.
But please have fun! And also check back occasionally. New characters will be added as we go through the episodes.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me via Twitter: @GoddammitAaron
Ren Amamiya [Ah-Mah-Mi-Yah] is the main protagonist of the series. He can be described as calm and collected, yet harbouring a rebellious spirit within himself.
The voice is in a range of Mid-Low and is quite soft. Meaning the kind of voice you would not expect to begin shouting at someone. When he is in the real world he tends to talk only when necessary to avoid drawing attention to himself. When acting as a Phantom Thief he holds a cool confidence within his voice.
You can look at the P5 game's English dub. (Acted by Xander Mobus) for Reference if you wish.
I’m Ren Amamiya, Thank you for this. (Politely)
You have the wrong idea! I just… (Defensively, a rare moment of speaking out.)
Come, Arsene! (Confidently, you're finally bringing forth the power within.)
Ryuji is essentially the opposite of Ren's character. He is loud, abrasive, vulgar and at times obnoxious or completely oblivious. However, he's the most loyal and easygoing of the main cast and is Ren's best friend throughout.
His voice should be brash and quite loud. Following a mostly Mid-High pitch. Keep in mind that he is an incredibly loud-mouthed character, much to the annoyance of the rest of the main cast.
You can look at the game's dub (Acted by Max Mittelman) for reference.
What the hell? Yo where'd the school go?! (Shocked)
Hey, don't ignore me. Explain! (Annoyed)
Ow...did he bust a rib? (In pain)
Morgana is the series' mascot and acts as the guide for the protagonists. He is quite immature, easy to annoy and easily embarrassed but is believed to be the glue that holds the Phantom Thieves together.
His voice is genderless, he is confirmed to be a male in the series and his tone does lean more towards boyish but his voice in the game is done by a woman. The range is High-Mid. He often sounds like someone pretending to be a confident expert on something without any actual knowledge of what they're doing.
You can look at the game's dub actress, Cassandra Lee Morris, for reference.
(Morgana does not have any real presence until episode two.)
We'll recover the stolen treasure. (Informing Ren)
What the? (Confused)
Ann is essentially the group's older sister. She keeps everyone else (mainly Ryuji) from doing anything stupid when it can be avoided. Whilst she may come across as bossy or mean, she truly cares about her friends and constantly strives for her own self-improvement.
Her voice is in a mid range that sometimes shifts slightly higher or slightly lower. She has a very relaxed tone ordinarily, but it emanates strength beneath the surface.
You can look at the game's dub actor, Erika Harlacher, for reference.
(Ann does not appear prominently in this episode. She has more of a role in later episodes.)
Totally! Skull could never pull off something like that. (Agreeing, trying to poke fun at Ryuji.)
This rain...it scatters the pretty blossoms everywhere. (Wistful, observant.)
Yusuke is an artist, he looks at life for all its hidden flaws and beauties. While he can often come off to others as pompous or arrogant he is actually deeply wise and cares for his friends in a very paternal way.
His voice should be in a mostly low range. He usually has an air of slight arrogance around him (emphasis on slight) and constantly sounds like an artist describing his next great work.
PLEASE NOTE: Although Yusuke's lines sound insulting sometimes he rarely ever speaks with actual venom. He is just incredibly blunt and not great at communication. I've seen some auditions with people taking the first line as bile-filled insult and this should not be how it is read.
You can look at the game's dub actor, Matthew Mercer, for reference.
(Yusuke has one line in this first episode. I have added an extra line so I can still get a decent impression of the voice. He will appear more in later episodes.)
Because he has no style. (Matter of factly)
I need you to pose for me, you will be a model for me to capture the true anguish christ felt as he realised his friends had forsaken him.
Makoto is the no-nonsense, smart as hell, resident tactician of the group within the series. She mainly fills the role of the group's mother, bringing a stern yet kind voice of reason to discussions. She has a strong sense of moral justice and whilst confident academically she mainly wishes to understand others and experience real friendship.
Her voice is a mainly mid-low range. She is often serious but occasionally can get flustered when caught off guard socially. However she can be an intimidating presence when required. Keep this in mind when voicing her.
You can look at the game's dub actress, Cherami Leigh, for reference.
(Makoto does not appear prominently until later in the series.)
An Ambush!
I'd like to go somewhere I've never been before. How about the arcade? (Asking Ren to help her experience new things.)
Futaba has been a shut-in most of her life. Plagued by the idea that she caused her mother's suicide. Because of this, most of her time was spent alone in her room on her computer. Making her social skills quite underdeveloped. However when it comes to talking to her friends she can be quite mocking and arrogant due to her technical expertise.
Her voice should be mid-high. Depending on the situation she may be shy and stuttering or confident and taunting. In this first episode she is mainly analytical and tactical.
You can look at the game's dub actress, Erica Lindbeck, for reference.
(Futaba does not appear prominently until later in the series.)
A perfect diversion! (Complimenting Ren)
You stupid Inari! You ruined them, my precious collection!
No...please, I didn't mean to...please...stop. (Frightened)
Haru is a shy, soft-spoken and overly polite member of the main cast. She gets nervous easily and tries to avoid confrontation often, at least early in her development. Later it becomes clear that she is a powerful and intelligent young woman, eager to bring big changes to her own life and the lives of those around her.
Her voice should be in a mid-high range, very soft but constantly optimistic.
You can look at the game's dub actress, Xanthe Huynh, for reference.
(Haru does not appear prominently until later in the series.)
Where should we meet? (Tactical plan rather than planning an outing.)
I think, one day, yes...I'd want to open my own Cafe. I'll pour my heart into every coffee, just like my Grandfather!
Akechi is a confident, analytical and intelligent teenage detective. His voice constantly oozes with smugness and he gives off the feeling that he's one step ahead of everyone. Due to this, he proves himself quite the antagonist to the main cast until joining them later down the line.
His voice should be mid-high. His tone is quite soft but very matter-of-fact, every word he says feels like he's trying to get more information out of you.
You can look at the game's dub actor, Robbie Daymond, for reference.
(Akechi does not appear prominently until later in the series.)
You guys can praise my marksmanship if you like!
Ah, sending the question back to me? A clever move indeed. Well, here's what I think...
Suguru Kamoshida is the main antagonist for the first arc of the series. He is Shujin academy's PE teacher and a former Olympic Volleyball player. Behind closed doors however he is found to be physically abusing male students and physically abusing the female students in his care. He thinks his status makes him invincible and so manipulates this to do as he pleases to those beneath him.
His voice should be in a mainly low range. In the public eye he sounds calm and easy going, even passionate about teaching. However in private he is aggressive, threatening and cocky. Particularly in the cognitive world.
You can look at the game's dub actor, DC Douglas, for reference.
You're gonna be late! Takamaki, want a lift? (Polite, Public Facade)
I thought the guards caught some petty thief, but to think it'd be you Sakamoto. (In his cognitive form as the "King of Shujin.")
Heh, pathetic! You're not even worth beating up.
Sae is the older sister of Makoto. She's a no-nonsense, deadly serious prosecutor who undertakes an interrogation of Ren. Whilst she obviously doesn't agree with Ren in his morals initially, she clearly has sympathy for him due to his harsh mistreatment by the police prior.
Her voice should be in a mid-low range. She is serious and straight to business yet not completely immune to frustrated outbursts. Although reasonably young (Mid 20's) her voice should hold a lot of maturity within it.
You can look at the game's dub actress, Elizabeth Maxwell, for reference.
I need you to answer me honestly. What was your objective? Why would you cause such major incidents?
At the time, people thought it was a prank, but that wasn't the case. This was the Phantom Thieves' first 'Calling Card.'
Tell me the truth, all of it.
Igor is the mysterious master of the velvet room, a place that exists between dreams and reality. He assists Ren in fostering his powers throughout the series.
His voice should be in a low range. His voice is booming and commanding, and should carry an underlying threat within its calmness.
You can look at the game's dub actor, David Lodge, for reference.
The world is not as it should be. It's filled with distortion. And 'ruin' can no longer be avoided...
I am Igor, and I serve as the master here. remember that.
Still, I’m surprised. The state of this room reflects the state of your heart itself. To think it would manifest as a prison.
Lavenza is a mysterious guiding voice for the protagonist, used to urge him to take action in the real world. Until much later in the series, she manifests only as a spectral butterfly.
Her voice should be in a high range. She should sound angelic and otherworldly, a guardian spirit to guide the protagonist.
You can look at the game's dub actress, Carrie Keranen, for reference.
(Since Lavenza, Caroline and Justine are all technically one being it is likely that I will cast the same person for all three, though I may make an exception if another voice just happens to work perfectly for any of them individually.)
Those who oppose fate and desire change. From time to time, they were called Tricksters.
This is an unjust game, your chances of winning are almost none.
Please, remember. For the sake of the world's future, and your own.
Justine is one half of the "Twin Wardens" the young denizens of the velvet room instructed to assist Ren in his "rehabilitation" by Igor.
Her voice should be in a high-mid range. She is always gracefully calm unlike her sister and speaks with a voice almost devoid of emotion. Essentially she is the cold, logical half of the twins.
You can look at the game's dub actress, Carrie Keranen, for reference.
(Since Lavenza, Caroline and Justine are all technically one being it is likely that I will cast the same person for all three, though I may make an exception if another voice just happens to work perfectly for any of them individually.)
You stand before the master.
We are merely interested in overseeing your rehabilitation.
Caroline is one half of the "Twin Wardens" the young denizens of the velvet room instructed to assist Ren in his "rehabilitation" by Igor.
Her voice should be in a high-mid range. She is commanding and aggressive, unlike her sister. She essentially represents the illogical, emotional side of the twins.
You can look at the game's dub actress, Carrie Keranen, for reference.
(Since Lavenza, Caroline and Justine are all technically one being it is likely that I will cast the same person for all three, though I may make an exception if another voice just happens to work perfectly for any of them individually.)
Silence, Inmate!
Our master wishes to speak to you. You'd better be grateful, Inmate!
Sojiro is Ren's caretaker, although he undertakes his duties with heavy reluctance initially. He has quite an uncaring attitude when it comes to most things and implies that it is better to live life without drawing attention to yourself.
His voice should be generally nonchalant and very 'done-with-everything' sounding. He should give the impression that he is generally unconcerned with the issues of other people. His voice should be in a lower range.
You can look at the game's dub actor, Jamieson Price, for reference.
Vertical...a shellfish used for farming pearls. (Doing a crossword)
Four hours for a single cup of coffee! (Sighing, annoyed)
I don't wanna hear it. I won't ask either, don't get me involved.
Arsene is Ren's Persona, the manifestation of his rebellious spirit and based on the fictional character Arsene Lupin.
His voice should be in a low range, he should sound confident and otherworldly. A powerful spirit or demon. He embodies the idea of a gentleman thief so keep that in mind.
You can look at the game's dub actor, Xander Mobus, for reference.
(I've put this up as a separate casting call since the voices of Arsene vs Ren are quite different, despite them having the same VA.)
Thou who would accept blasphemy for the sake of thine own justice!
Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou be chained to hell itself!
The SIU Director is a minor antagonist within the series. He is Sae Niijima's superior and in this first episode, tries to sabotage her chances of an interrogation.
His voice should be tired and rough, with a mainly low range. When speaking to Sae he is always somewhat dismissive.
You can look at the game's dub actor, Kirk Thornton, for reference.
Don't make me repeat myself.
Niijima, this is already out of our hands!
Sadayo Kawakami is Ren's homeroom teacher at Shujin Academy. Though she leads a double life as an on-call Maid in order to pay debts that she owes. She does seem to truly want to be a good teacher. However her lack of time and constant tiredness from working two jobs tend to make her irritable and unmotivated.
Her voice should be in a mainly mid-low range. She tends to sound generally worn out the majority of the time as well as quite apathetic when addressing people.
You can look at the game's dub actress, Michelle Ruff, for reference.
I'm Ms. Kawakami, your homeroom teacher. (Addressing Ren)
Tomorrow morning come to the faculty office. (Mildly flustered after having dropped a leaflet for her maid service.)
Kobayakawa is the Principal of Shujin Academy, the school that the majority of the main characters attend. He seems to be unconcerned about assisting his students and more in furthering his own career.
His voice should in a mid-low range. He should sound serious yet overall incompetent when his authority is actually challenged.
You can look at the game's dub actor, Richard Epcar, for reference.
Listen up, I took a huge risk accepting you into my school.
I'll throw you out at the first sign of trouble!
Although a minor character, he is quite prevalent in this first episode.
Low range for this. You're aggressive, intimidating and definitely an asshole.
Obstruction of Justice, Blackmail, Defamation, Possession of Weapons. We can add Murder too, right? The full course.
Do you get it now? One must take full responsibility for their actions.
A news reporter both seen on TV and heard over the radio.
The Passengers were still on the bus even as it drove the wrong way--
Again, due to the subway accident, the schedule for all trains has been affected-
Any non-specific male adult voice that needs doing.
(Please say anything you'd like that can help me get a good grasp of your voice. Basically a mini demo reel. If I think it'll work you'll be cast as various male extras throughout the series.)
Any non-specific younger female voice that needs doing. (Teen-Young Adult)
(Please say anything you'd like that can help me get a good grasp of your voice. Basically a mini demo reel. If I think it'll work you'll be cast as various young female extras throughout the series.)
An old male cafe patron.
Did you hear about that accident?
An old female cafe patron.
It's just terrible, how is anyone supposed to feel safe?
