Amazon Prime Video recently drew widespread criticism from anime fans and voice actors alike after quietly rolling out “AI beta” English dubs for several popular anime series, including Banana Fish, No Game, No Life Zero, and Vinland Saga. The controversial AI-generated audio tracks, described by viewers as “monotone,” “lifeless,” and “robotic,” were swiftly removed following a significant online outcry. While English AI dubs have been pulled, some AI-generated Spanish dubs for titles like Vinland Saga and Banana Fish reportedly remained available as of Wednesday.
The move ignited a fierce debate about the use of artificial intelligence in creative industries and its potential impact on human voice actors.
The Rollout and Rapid Backlash
The “AI beta” English dubs began appearing on Amazon Prime Video over the recent Thanksgiving weekend, with users quickly noticing the new audio options for shows that previously lacked official English dubs or had existing human-voiced dubs. Clips of the AI-generated performances, particularly from Banana Fish, rapidly went viral across social media platforms, drawing widespread ridicule for their perceived lack of emotion, awkward pacing, and pronunciation errors.
Fans, many of whom had waited years for an English dub of Banana Fish, expressed profound disappointment, calling the AI effort “disrespectful” and “insulting.” The sentiment was that a beloved series, known for its dramatic intensity, was being undermined by subpar technology.
Voice Actors Speak Out Against AI Dubbing
The backlash was amplified by numerous professional voice actors who condemned Amazon’s use of AI. Daman Mills, known for voicing Frieza in Dragon Ball Super, was particularly vocal, stating that Amazon’s decision was a “massive insult to us as performers” and that AI “continues to threaten livelihoods of performers in EVERY language.” Mills, along with other voice actors like Damien Haas, announced they were canceling their Amazon Prime subscriptions, calling for boycotts of the streaming service.
Critics highlighted the financial implications, arguing that a multi-trillion-dollar corporation like Amazon opting for cheap AI dubs instead of hiring human talent was a demonstration of “pure greed.” Voice actors emphasized that anime, now more popular than ever, relies on their performances as a foundational element of its appeal.
Affected Anime Titles
The AI English dubs were identified on several prominent anime series available on Amazon Prime Video:
- Banana Fish: This critically acclaimed 2018 anime, which had not received an official English dub until now, was a focal point of the controversy.
- No Game, No Life Zero: The anime film also featured an AI-generated English dub.
- Vinland Saga: While Vinland Saga has an existing human-voiced English dub, some users reported seeing AI English dub options, with AI Spanish dubs still available for the series.
- Pet Anime: A lesser-known series, Pet, also had an AI-generated English dub that was subsequently removed.
Kadokawa, a Japanese publisher, and Sentai Filmworks, an anime licensor, both responded to inquiries regarding the AI dubs. Kadokawa stated it had not approved an AI dub “in any form,” while Sentai Filmworks indicated they were “not aware in advance” of the AI dub and were “looking into it with Amazon.” Aniplex, distributor of Banana Fish, did not issue a statement.
Amazon’s Retreat and Broader AI Debate
By December 1st, Amazon had begun to quietly remove the “AI beta” English dub options for Banana Fish, No Game, No Life Zero, and Vinland Saga. The English dub for Pet was also removed. This swift removal came without an official statement from Amazon acknowledging the backlash or their reasons for deploying the AI technology.
The incident follows earlier reports from March where Amazon teased “AI-aided dubbing” for a “small selection of movies” in English and Latin American Spanish, though anime was not specifically mentioned at the time. This situation also echoes previous controversies within the streaming space, such as Crunchyroll facing scrutiny over alleged AI-generated subtitles earlier in 2025.
The broader conversation around AI in the anime industry continues, with concerns about its potential to replace human talent in both animation and voice acting. While some see AI as a tool to assist creators or overcome language barriers, many professionals and fans fear it could lead to a decline in quality and threaten livelihoods. The strong negative reaction to Amazon’s AI anime dubs underscores the importance placed by audiences on authentic human performance in media.
