Saiyans, Soul Reapers, and Ninjas: Talking games with Kyle Hebert

As Siliconera readers may have figured out by now, I'm a pretty big fan of anime games. That's why I was delighted at the opportunity to interview one of my favorite voice actors, Kyle Hebert. With major roles in some of the biggest anime currently airing in the US, such as Bleach and Naruto, as well as a major role as Adult Gohan in Dragonball Z, it's no surprise that he also has plenty of experience with voice over work in video games as well. Bleach: Shattered Blade, Naruto: Rise of a Ninja, and Dragonball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 are just a few of the games either out now or available very soon that he's done voicework in. Read on as Mr. Hebert shares his thoughts on video games and anime with you, the Siliconera faithful!

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Siliconera: Some people want to be doctors, lawyers, businessmen…How did you decide to become a voice actor?

 

Kyle Hebert: A lot of voices used to creep out of my head in childhood, so I figure, why not attempt to make a living at it.  Mel Blanc, the voice of all the classic Looney Tunes characters, was my direct inspiration.  When I learned one guy did all that……I knew that was the job for me.

 

SE: Many anime you've been in have had video games based on them. But some haven't. Out of all the anime you've done, which one would you most like to see a video game of that hasn't had one yet?

 

 

KH: Hellsing definitely needs a game.  I'm only in the 3rd volume of "Hellsing Ultimate" minimally, as a member of the Wild Geese mercenaries, but that show just BLEEDS "video game" (pardon the pun).

 

SE: Are you a gamer yourself? If so, are there any games you're particularly enjoying right now?

 

KH: I am indeed a gamer, and a very bad one at that.  I've been gaming since the Atari 2600 (yay old school).  My Dreamcast is in mint condition.  I own all current next gen consoles.  HALO 3 is the big timesuck right now and loving every minute of it.  I just love playing online with people, so if a game is campaign only, I don't tend to enjoy it as much.  GEARS OF WAR was amazing, as was BURNOUT REVENGE.  PUZZLE QUEST on my DS and Xbox Live Arcade.  On the Wii, METROID PRIME 3 is a blast, as well as WII SPORTS, BLEACH, and RAYMAN RAVING RABBIDS.  I'm big on fighters, so DBZ, NARUTO, SOUL CALIBUR get the most play from me.  I voice a lot of RPGs, but I'm not so much into that genre.  I'm more into the instant gratification of shooters, fighters, racers, and platformers.  A ton of Xbox Live Arcade and PSN Network downloadable content is giving me hours of bliss as well.

 

SE: There have been several video games released recently that you've done voice work in. Do you have a particular favorite among them?

 

KH: Well, I'm the lead role in a new shooter that I can't talk about yet.  But getting to also be the guy who says "Double Kill", "Killing Spree", etc, is a real rush!  Typical for an actor to choose a project where he's the lead, eh?   But out of what's currently available, I absolutely love BLEACH: THE BLADE OF FATE for DS.   The customization and tapping of the attacks on the bottom screen just really elevate it above "just another fighter."

 

SE: Is doing voice over work for video games any different than doing voice over work for anime? Easier, harder?

 

KH: Its easier because there's little or no lip synch involved.  Anime requires delivering a performance that matches the mouth flaps of the character.  Anime also pays very very poorly.  Games are far more profitable and more popular.  I miss not getting to see the final product, as with anime, during the recording session, but making 3 or 4 times the money in half the time…….how can one really argue with that?  If its a Japanese game, we listen to the Japanese audio for timing reference, and basically lay down 3 takes of each line.Once in a while, the game developers are present with some prerendered footage or artist renderings of the characters.  Gaming scripts are HUGE and divided into multiple subsections and coded like crazy.  I feel sorry for the director who has to make sense of it all.

 

SE: There's recently been some confusion over Kiba not being in Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution. Can you shed some light on this?

 

KH: We've recorded so many Naruto games at this point, and Kiba IS in most of them.  I do seem to recall being told Kiba wasn't going to be in one of the games, but when I was asked about it by fans, I wasn't sure which one.  I know that Revolution basically melds parts 3 and 4 from the Japanese Clash of Ninja series, but apparently Kiba didn't make the cut.  I'm quite bummed that he isn't in there, as a Wii owner and Naruto fan myself, I was looking forward to playing as him.  I saw a thread on Gamefaqs about the confusion and the insinuation that I was lying about it.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I simply didn't remember that this Wii game didn't have Kiba.  I would never deliberately mislead the fans.  I apologize for the misunderstanding, but I do know Kiba IS in the Naruto 360 game.

 

SE: I know you probably can't say much, but can you give us any kind of hints on any future projects you might be in?

 

KH: Well we've got more Naruto games, probably more DBZ and Bleach.  I'm auditioning constantly on HUGE titles that are coming out next year, but can't talk about them.  The thing about being a voice actor is you audition a lot more than you're cast.  I've only been doing aggressively doing game voiceover for the past few years since I moved to Los Angeles.  The best way to keep up to date with my new projects is to go to my website, www.kylehebert.com, or www.myspace.com/kylehebert.  I also cohost an internet radio show about news on all things geeky called The Big Bald Broadcast, which is downloadable from my site.

 

SE: How does it feel to have had roles in four of the most popular anime to hit the US (DBZ, Fullmetal Alchemist, Naruto, and Bleach)?

 

KH: I feel eternally lucky and blessed to have gotten to participate in all of those popular shows, especially being a fan of them to boot.  Its kinda surreal, but I always remain humble.  The fans are what made those shows what they are, and without the fans, folks like me wouldn't have a job.  Getting to be involved with such awesome projects is a dream come true!

 

SE: Okay, it's a fatal four way match. Gohan, Vato, Kiba, and Aizen. Who takes home the gold?

KH: Well, I doubt Vato from Fullmetal Alchemist could really hold his own against a doggie boy, a Saiyan, or a Captain.  I'm tempted to say Gohan and Aizen would still be standing in a square off.  Supernatural powers against alien.  HMMMM.  Its a toughie for sure!  Maybe Gohan has a slight edge, but with being absorbed by Majin Buu, maybe Aizen has it in the bag.

 

SE: Thank you for your time, Mr. Hebert. Any parting words for your fans out there?

 

KH: Thanks to everyone for their continued support.  I've been honored to get to do what I love for a living, and the fans make that possible.  I'd also like to address something quite serious.  The anime industry is slowly dying due to piracy.  Your purchases of official, licensed product can keep the anime industry alive.  The internet has created an uneasy environment of entitlement, where people feel because they can obtain something for free, that there's nothing wrong with it and that they should never have to pay for it.  Please put yourself in the shoes of the creators, who have spent countless hours and millions of dollars to create this awesome art form we love.  Anime production is a synonymous relationship between Japan and the world now, especially the United States.  When studios don't profit, there's less work for everybody.  But this isn't a cry for pity for actors here…..this impacts the fans.  Geneon USA has closed its doors, and overall DVD sales aren't reaching their projected goals.   When nobody buys the official DVD, there's no money to continue licensing new shows.  I ask everyone to give this some thought, and know that downloading isn't helping the cause.  Nobody wants to see this wonderful source of art and entertainment go away.  Thanks for your time and consideration! 


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