Netflix, in conjunction with VIZ Media, has officially announced the English dub cast for Yaiba: Samurai Legend, the new television anime adaptation of Gōshō Aoyama’s popular manga. The announcement was made via Netflix’s X (formerly Twitter) account and at Anime Expo 2025 by WIT Studio’s President George Wada. The English dub, alongside Spanish (LATAM) and Brazilian Portuguese dubs, is set to begin streaming on August 15, 2025, with episodes 1-12, followed by episodes 13-24 on November 21, 2025.
The Voice Talent Behind Yaiba: Samurai Legend‘s English Dub
The newly revealed English voice cast features a lineup of experienced voice actors bringing the beloved characters to life for Western audiences. The casting aims to capture the essence and energy of the original Japanese performances while making the series accessible to a broader viewership.
Main Characters and Their English Voice Actors
- Yaiba Kurogane will be voiced by Erica Mendez. Mendez is known for her roles in various anime, including Aggretsuko and KILL la KILL. Yaiba is the titular aspiring samurai who returns to Japan after training in the jungle, constantly clashing with Sayaka due to his wild nature.
- Sayaka Mine is voiced by Rebecca Wang. Wang has previously lent her voice to characters in series such as Solo Leveling. Sayaka is the daughter of the Mine family, who takes Yaiba in, and frequently finds herself bewildered by his antics.
- Kenjuro is portrayed by Craig Lee Thomas. Thomas’s credits include Helldivers 2. Kenjuro is Yaiba’s father, connected to the Mine family.
- Musashi will be voiced by Christopher Corey Smith. Smith’s extensive work includes roles in One Piece and Final Fantasy VII Remake. Musashi is a key figure who inspires Yaiba’s quest to become a master swordsman and plays a significant role in the story’s development.
- Takeshi Onimaru is brought to life by Alan Lee. Lee’s previous roles include Gargantia and Shield Hero. Onimaru is a skilled kendo expert who becomes a recurring rival to Yaiba, and their clashes inadvertently unleash ancient powers.
About Yaiba: Samurai Legend
Yaiba: Samurai Legend (Shin Samurai-den YAIBA) is a new television anime based on the manga by Gōshō Aoyama, the creator of Detective Conan. The anime debuted in Japan on April 5, 2025, on YTV, NTV, and their affiliates. It is produced by WIT Studio, renowned for its work on titles like Attack on Titan.
The story follows Yaiba Kurogane, a young man raised in the jungle, whose ambition is to become a true samurai. Upon his return to Japan, he begins living with the Mine family and soon encounters Takeshi Onimaru, a formidable kendo practitioner. Their repeated confrontations trigger the reawakening of two ancient and powerful blades: the Fujinken (Wind God’s Sword) and the Raijinken (Thunder God’s Sword), revealing truths about these supernatural artifacts. The anime is licensed by VIZ Media and streams on Netflix in North America, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as on Hulu in the United States. The second cour of the anime premiered on June 28, 2025.
