Kevin Conroy Recorded for Devil May Cry Anime Before His Death, No AI Involved: Producer Confirms

This week, Netflix unveiled a new trailer for their upcoming Devil May Cry anime, revealing that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the video game adaptation. This announcement sparked curiosity among fans about whether AI technology had been utilized to recreate Conroy’s iconic voice. However, the anime’s producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled these rumors via a tweet, confirming that Conroy's recordings were completed before his passing in November 2022 and that "no AI was used."

Shankar praised Conroy's performance, describing it as "amazingly nuanced" and expressing the honor of working with him. Conroy, celebrated for his long-standing role as Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated series and films, takes on the role of VP Baines, a new character introduced in the series. You can hear his voiceover at the beginning of the trailer.

Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante in the series and played Nero in the video games, shared his admiration for working with Conroy, calling him a "true legend" and noting that their recording sessions occurred several years ago, reflecting the lengthy process of animation production.

Conroy’s posthumous performance was previously acclaimed in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his work, following his untimely death at the age of 66 two-and-a-half years ago.

The official synopsis from Netflix outlines the plot: “Sinister forces are at play to open the portal between the human and demon realms. In the middle of it all is Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, unaware that the fate of both worlds hangs around his neck.”

Adi Shankar, who also serves as the showrunner, is well-known for his contributions to the entertainment industry. His notable projects include being the executive producer of the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film, developing the acclaimed Castlevania anime, and creating Netflix series such as The Guardians of Justice and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon. He is also set to executive produce an adaptation of Assassin’s Creed.

Kevin Conroy in 2021. Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images.

Studio Mir, a renowned South Korean studio with a portfolio that includes The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97, will be the chief production studio for the series. Devil May Cry is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

The use of generative AI remains a hotly debated topic in the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs in recent years. Generative AI has been criticized by fans and creators alike due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in creating content that audiences find engaging.