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

This week, fans of the iconic voice actor Kevin Conroy were thrilled to learn that he will posthumously star in Netflix's upcoming anime adaptation of the popular video game series, Devil May Cry. Conroy, who passed away in November 2022, was recorded prior to his death and will voice the character VP Baines, as confirmed by the anime's producer, Adi Shankar. Shankar took to Twitter to dispel any rumors of AI being used, stating, "no AI used," and praised Conroy's "amazingly nuanced performance," calling it a "pleasure and an honor" to work with him.

Best known for his role as Bruce Wayne and Batman in various animated series and films, Conroy's involvement in Devil May Cry adds another layer of excitement for fans. Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante in the series and previously played Nero in the video games, also honored Conroy, noting that their recording sessions occurred years ago, reflecting the lengthy process of animation production.

Conroy's recent posthumous performance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024 was met with acclaim, and his role in Devil May Cry offers fans another opportunity to appreciate his talent following his passing at the age of 66.

According to Netflix's official synopsis, the series centers on Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, who finds himself at the heart of a sinister plot to open a portal between the human and demon realms. The fate of both worlds hinges on his actions.

Adi Shankar, who also serves as the showrunner, is renowned for his work on projects like the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot, the beloved Castlevania anime, and 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.

The animation for Devil May Cry is being handled by Studio Mir, a respected South Korean studio known for their work on The Legend of Korra and X-Men '97. The series is slated for release on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

In the broader context, the use of generative AI remains a contentious issue within the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs. The technology has been criticized for ethical and rights issues, as well as its inability to consistently produce content that resonates with audiences.