This week, Netflix unveiled a new trailer for its eagerly anticipated Devil May Cry anime, revealing that the legendary voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in this video game adaptation. Conroy, who passed away in November 2022, lends his voice to the character VP Baines. Amidst speculation about the use of AI to recreate his voice, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify that Conroy had recorded his lines before his passing, and no AI was used in the process.
Shankar expressed his admiration for Conroy's performance, describing it as "amazingly nuanced" and stating it was both a pleasure and an honor to work with him. Conroy is celebrated for his iconic role as Bruce Wayne and Batman in various animated series and films, making his inclusion in Devil May Cry a significant highlight for fans.
In the trailer, Conroy's voice can be heard in a voiceover at the beginning, setting the stage for the series. Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante in the anime and previously played Nero in the video games, also shared his honor in working alongside Conroy, acknowledging the impact of Batman: The Animated Series on his own career. Bosch noted that their recording sessions occurred years ago, reflecting the lengthy production timeline typical of animation projects.
Conroy's posthumous work was previously celebrated in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024, and now fans have another opportunity to appreciate his talent in Devil May Cry. Conroy's contribution to the series comes after his untimely death at the age of 66, two-and-a-half years ago.
The official synopsis from Netflix outlines a plot where "sinister forces are at play to open the portal between the human and demon realms," with Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, at the center of the unfolding drama.
Adi Shankar, who also serves as the showrunner, is known for his work on various high-profile projects, including the 2012 Dredd film, the beloved Castlevania anime, and Netflix series like 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.
The series is being produced by Studio Mir, a renowned South Korean studio known for its work on projects such as The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. Devil May Cry is scheduled to be released on Netflix on April 3, 2025.
In the broader context, the entertainment and video game industries are currently grappling with the implications of generative AI, which has been a contentious topic due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and the quality of AI-generated content. This backdrop adds another layer of interest to Shankar's confirmation that Conroy's performance was recorded traditionally, without the use of AI.
