English dubbing is big business, but alongside most animated movies – be they cartoon illustrated or CGI – often the voices behind these characters go unnoticed for the most part. This is usually because the audiences are so young they don’t give a fuck about sitting through the credits. Then there’s the fact that most of us become emotionally attached to what we’re seeing, and associate the voice to the character (rightfully so).
☛ More Cartoons: Cartoon Characters As Real People
Studio Ghibli has captured the hearts and souls of westerners both sides of the pond, and it’s basically the eastern equivalent of Walt Disney – with a catalogue of ageless, timeless stories. With that being said, it’s not really that much of a shock that big names grace the credits of these classics. I’ve compiled a few of the stars who have lent their voices to the English dubbed versions, and hopefully they’ll now receive their rightful props.
1. Christian Bale
Everyone is in their set camp when it comes to his gruff Batman voice – but that’s simply just the best way to show how distinctly adaptable a voice actor Bale can be. He voiced Howl in the brilliant ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ which is arguably my favourite film in case you cared. He was John Wayne in Disney’s Pocahontas too.
2. Shia LaBeouf
Shia has been in the news as of late for inception level plagiarism, showing that when left to his own devices he doesn’t feel too confident with own voice at times. But he voices Asbel, in the 1984 released ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ which is a quietly overlooked Ghibli classic. It’s a bit of a slow story, but it’s beautiful to watch and well worth viewing.
