AJ Beckles: A Rising Star in Anime Voice Acting
If you follow the world of anime and gaming, chances are you are familiar with AJ Beckles, a talented voice actor who has made a significant impact through his diverse range of characters. Most recently, Beckles has garnered attention for his role as Okarun, also known as Ken Takakura, in the popular series DAN DA DAN. His performance has resonated with audiences, leading to a broader recognition of his skills. Beyond this role, Beckles has also lent his voice to characters like Takemichi from Tokyo Revengers, Musashi in ORIENT, and both Gremmy Thoumeaux and Kaname Tosen in BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War.
At Anime Central this year, we had the chance to sit down with Beckles, who is a nominee for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Our conversation revolved around his approach to the character Okarun, his expectations for the upcoming season of DAN DA DAN, and his experiences voicing characters in BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War. Portions of our discussion have been edited for clarity, and it includes some spoilers for Season 1, Episode 4 of DAN DA DAN.
Character Development in DAN DA DAN
Reflecting on the first season of DAN DA DAN, Beckles noted that Okarun’s character development was a profound journey. As the series progressed, Okarun experienced significant moments of growth, and Beckles had to adapt his approach to voicing him. "It was challenging because it felt like a collective effort," he explained. Working closely with his director, Alex Von David, Beckles navigated the character’s nuanced layers. Okarun is not your typical anime character; he has complex emotions and thoughts simmering beneath the surface.
Beckles shared, "I wanted to ensure that different aspects of Okarun’s personality shone through, depending on the context and who he was interacting with." For instance, when Okarun discusses his passions, like Nessie or other nerdy interests, Beckles aimed to convey his excitement. Conversely, there were moments when Okarun needed to project confidence, especially around his crush, Momo. This required careful fine-tuning in his delivery. "I would often check with my director to see if this was the right moment for Okarun to sound more embarrassed or confident," he said.
The challenge was particularly pronounced in the early episodes when Okarun’s character had a lot of emotional outbursts. Beckles remarked that his first few recording sessions were intense, filled with high-energy screams and emotional depth. "It was a continuous process," he added, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the work.
Recognition and Achievements
Being nominated for Best English Performance for his work in DAN DA DAN is a significant milestone for Beckles. "Ever since I began my journey in voice acting, especially in anime, being recognized was a dream of mine," he expressed. However, he acknowledged the unpredictability of awards, influenced by various factors beyond the performers’ control. "Recognition for my work is incredibly rewarding, particularly as a person of color in this industry," he noted.
Beckles is proud to be part of a growing community of diverse voices in the anime industry. He mentioned his fiancé, Anairis, who was nominated in previous years, and other talented individuals like Zeno Robinson, who have also received nominations. "Even if I don’t win, just being part of this talented group is an honor," he said.
For Beckles, being recognized for his talent is more than just a personal achievement. "I want to be a role model for other people of color, showing them that voice acting is an attainable goal," he stated. He believes that anyone with the ability to read and a passion for acting can pursue a career in voice acting.
Looking Ahead to Season 2 of DAN DA DAN
When asked about his anticipation for Season 2 of DAN DA DAN, Beckles was enthusiastic. "I’m eager to see just how wild the story can get," he said. The first season introduced viewers to a zany adventure that leaves many curious about what lies ahead. Beckles expressed his excitement about how the narrative might expand and what new challenges the characters will face. "I’m particularly interested in how the stakes will evolve and what new elements will be introduced," he added.
He also praised the animation quality provided by Science SARU, the studio behind the series. "They did an amazing job with the animation in the first season, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the next one."
Returning to BLEACH: A Significant Moment
As a voice actor in the BLEACH franchise, Beckles expressed great excitement about the return of BLEACH console and PC games with Rebirth of Souls. He took on the role of Tosen, exploring the character’s entire storyline. "It was fantastic to voice Tosen throughout his journey, especially since I wasn’t the original voice actor," he explained. This opportunity allowed him to connect deeply with the character, which he found incredibly rewarding.
Reflecting on the impact of BLEACH, Beckles noted the long hiatus of video games based on the series, with the last major console release dating back to 2009. "I can’t wait to see how they build on this success in the future," he said, filled with anticipation for what’s next.
Challenges in Voice Acting
In our conversation, Beckles also discussed the most challenging scene he has voiced to date. He described a pivotal moment in DAN DA DAN, specifically the end of Episode 4, involving an emotional exchange between Okarun and Momo. "It was difficult because the dialogue revolved around the ambiguity of their farewell," he recalled. Expressing nuanced emotions while repeating specific phrases posed a significant challenge.
"We ended up taking a break to gather our thoughts," Beckles shared. After returning to the studio, he and his co-star, Abby Trott, tried fresh approaches to the scene. "It was a simple moment, yet it required a lot of emotional depth," he said, reflecting on the intricacies of voice acting.
AJ Beckles is a remarkable voice actor whose journey continues to evolve. With his impressive body of work and dedication to his craft, he is undoubtedly a rising star in the anime voice acting community.
