"My Alter Ego Read 'R-Rated Lines'... Outrage Among Japanese Voice Actors Over Unauthorized Generative AI Copying"

Proliferation of Unauthorized Generative AI Replication

Unauthorized Use of Voice Actors' Voices: Difficult to Prevent Damages

"Lupin III" Voice Actor Launches AI Voice Service

There has been a growing number of incidents in Japan in which the voices of popular Japanese voice actors are illicitly replicated using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, resulting in these AI-generated voices delivering sexual lines or being misused for scams and religious solicitations. However, experts say it is difficult to prevent such damages.

Japanese voice actress Megumi Ogata. Online community.

According to a recent report by the Mainichi Shimbun, Megumi Ogata—a voice actress renowned for her role as Shinji Ikari in "Neon Genesis Evangelion"—discovered about two years ago that her voice had been illegally copied using generative AI. She found that these replicas were making her say sexual remarks she had never spoken, and that her voice and video clips from her performances were being arbitrarily altered and distributed across the internet.

She expressed her outrage, stating, "It is extremely unpleasant and unacceptable. The characters I play are like extensions of myself, created by pouring my whole being into them."

Recently, there have also been reports that the voices of animation characters have been used for scams demanding money or religious solicitations. Yet, preventing these incidents remains challenging. Every day, between 100 to 200 new synthesized videos are uploaded, and requesting the deletion of each post or filing lawsuits consumes tremendous amounts of time and money. Even when URLs can be identified, many posts are quickly deleted or run by anonymous accounts on foreign platforms, making it hard to trace those responsible.

Furthermore, the rights to the voices of animation characters are entangled among multiple parties—not only the voice actor, but also the production committee and the original creator. This creates limits to responding solely through an individual's right of publicity. The "right of publicity" refers to a person's ability to commercially utilize and control the economic value of their identity (such as name, likeness, and voice). Unlike general "portrait rights," which are considered personal rights, the right of publicity is recognized as having a stronger proprietary character under the law.

The character Shinji Ikari from the animation "Neon Genesis Evangelion." Online community.

Last year, voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda demanded the removal of videos on TikTok that used his voice without permission and filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court against the platform's operator. Still, there remain significant barriers to holding foreign platforms or anonymous uploaders legally liable.

Some voice actors are shifting in a new direction by officially commercializing AI versions of their own voices. Daisuke Namikawa, a prominent voice actor known for roles such as Goemon Ishikawa in "Lupin III" and Anakin Skywalker (Japanese dub) in "Star Wars," partnered with a Japanese IT company and spent over a year recording his voice to develop an AI model.

This model is designed not only to imitate the vocal tone but also to accurately reproduce detailed expressions such as emotions, breathing, and speech patterns. The revenue generated from this service is shared among the voice actor, their agency, and the IT firm providing the technology. Namikawa's team is also considering developing official AI voice models for other voice actors who wish to do so.

Yuki Kaji, famous for his role as Eren in "Attack on Titan," has also entered the official AI voice business. In 2023, he released synthetic voice software and the AI character "Soyogi Fractal" based on his own voice and founded his own operating company in April this year. Kaji believes that AI is not merely a technology threatening the jobs of voice actors but can be used as a tool for new forms of expression. He advocates for creating a market where revenue generated through official models can be distributed to the rights holders.

The voice acting industry is also moving quickly to respond collectively. In November last year, the Japan Actors Union announced that it would collaborate with Itochu Corporation to establish a database registering the voices of actors and voice actors. The plan is to use electronic watermarking and voiceprint authentication to distinguish official voices from unauthorized synthetic ones and to trace routes of improper use.

Ogata pointed out that Japan's legal framework is lagging behind Korea and the United States, expressing concern that "Japan has become a supplier country that provides content for AI training free of charge." She insisted that not only celebrities but also ordinary people should be legally granted the right to refuse their voices being used for voice phishing or adult content.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government is working on developing related regulations. According to Nikkei, "The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released a report in 2025 indicating that the right of publicity, which protects the likeness and names of famous individuals, could also apply to the voices of voice actors. However, no clear law has been enacted yet." The report added, "Since April this year, the Ministry of Justice has been operating an expert panel to review the legal responsibilities regarding the unauthorized use of voices and vocal data."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.