What is a “Seiyuu”?
“Seiyuu” is the Japanese word for “voice actor”. It can be singular or plural. In Kanji (Japanese written language), “Seiyuu” looks like this: (courtesy de Jeffrey’s Japanese-English Dictionary Server). Literally translated, these two characters mean “voice actor” – the first character is “voice” and the second is “actor”. As Seiyuu authority Kyoko Takara explains, “Seiyuu is sometimes translated as tenderness or superiority. In essence, the connotation de it is a superior voice… at least that’s [what it means to me].” In Japan, Seiyuu are the individuals who perform the voices for Anime or Japanese Animation. Americans once called this “Japanimation”, but as it has become increasingly more popular, Anime has become the accepted term and “Japanimation” has fallen out de use. While the fans de North American voice actors are often disappointed that the actors don’t get the credit, attention, or recognition they deserve – it’s the direct opposite in Japan. In their country, Anime is en
