Marc Diraison

Marc Diraison is an American voice actor, ADR director, and scriptwriter renowned for his contributions to English dubs of anime series, most notably voicing the protagonist Guts in the Berserk franchise.^[1]^[2] Born Marc Remi Diraison on February 7, 1975, in San Rafael, California, he began his career in the early 2000s dubbing anime in New York City before relocating to Los Angeles in 2013 to continue his work in animation and video games.^[1]^[3] Throughout his career, Diraison has lent his distinctive gravelly voice to a range of iconic characters, including Roronoa Zoro in the 4Kids Entertainment dub of One Piece, Akihiko Kayaba in Sword Art Online, and Kalin Kessler in Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's.^[1]^[2]^[3] His performances, particularly as Guts, have been popular among fans over multiple projects, including the Berserk: The Golden Age Arc film trilogy.^[2] In addition to acting, Diraison has directed ADR for series like Ah! My Goddess (episodes 15-26) and GaoGaiGar, and adapted scripts for shows such as Kurokami The Animation.^[1] He has collaborated with studios including Bang Zoom! Entertainment, NYAV Post, and 4Kids Entertainment, amassing over 90 credited roles across anime, films, and video games as of 2023, with continued work as of 2025 including voicing a police officer in the animated short series Higher Than Space.^[3]^[1]^[2]^[4]

Early life and career beginnings

Upbringing in California

Marc Remi Diraison was born on February 7, 1975, in San Rafael, California.^[3] This Marin County city, situated just north of San Francisco, served as his hometown during his early years.^[3] Public details about his family background and childhood influences remain limited, with no widely documented accounts of specific early interests or experiences in San Rafael. Eventually, Diraison relocated to New York City, representing a significant life transition.^[5]

Entry into voice acting in New York

Marc Diraison relocated to New York City in the early 2000s.^[1] Upon arriving in New York, Diraison supported himself through temporary employment, including four years of temping at banks, real estate firms, and dot-com companies, which allowed flexibility for acting pursuits despite the challenges of a 9-to-5 schedule.^[6] He prioritized short-term gigs to avoid complacency and maintain availability for evening showcases and auditions, emphasizing that such work was essential for sustaining his ambitions without long-term commitments.^[6] Diraison's voice acting career began in the early 2000s in New York, initially involving opportunities in the city's burgeoning anime dubbing industry.^[7] These early professional steps included engagements with New York-based studios, where he contributed to dubbing projects, building his skills amid the local voice-over community.^[1] No education or pre-anime acting experiences are publicly documented in reliable sources.^[7]

Professional career

Work with New York studios

In the early 2000s, New York City emerged as a primary hub for English-language anime dubbing, driven by the rise of localization efforts to adapt Japanese series for Western audiences, particularly children. Studios such as 4Kids Entertainment, NYAV Post, and DuArt Film and Video played central roles in this scene, handling recording, scripting, and post-production for major anime titles. 4Kids Entertainment, based in New York, led the charge with extensive localization projects that involved heavy editing and dubbing to align with U.S. broadcast standards, establishing itself as a dominant force in bringing anime to mainstream television.^[8] NYAV Post, founded in 2000 by voice actor Michael Sinterniklaas, specialized in high-quality ADR sessions and quickly became a go-to facility for independent and licensed anime dubs, while DuArt Film and Video provided essential post-production support, including sound mixing and recording facilities for ongoing series.^[8] This ecosystem fostered a vibrant community of voice talent, where emerging actors honed their skills amid the fast-paced demands of synchronizing dialogue to animation lip movements. Marc Diraison, having relocated to New York to pursue voice acting, formed key partnerships with these studios during this period, contributing to their anime localization workflows as an up-and-coming talent. His involvement with 4Kids Entertainment marked significant milestones, including early contracts for high-profile dubbing sessions that showcased his versatility in ensemble recordings alongside other New York-based actors like those from the local talent pool. At NYAV Post and DuArt Film and Video, Diraison participated in numerous ADR sessions, collaborating closely with directors and engineers to refine performances under tight deadlines typical of the era's production schedules. These ties allowed him to build a reputation within the East Coast dubbing circuit, where team dynamics emphasized quick adaptations and group improvisations to match the original footage's timing.^[7]^[9] The New York dubbing environment presented notable challenges for talents like Diraison, particularly in mastering ADR techniques amid the limitations of analog-to-digital transitions and economic pressures on smaller studios. Adapting to the precision required for lip-sync in anime—often involving multiple takes to align with non-English mouth movements—demanded rapid growth, as sessions could span long hours with minimal rehearsal. Additionally, the competitive scene, influenced by 4Kids' market dominance, pushed emerging voice actors to navigate union rules and varying studio protocols, fostering resilience but also contributing to the eventual shift of production westward due to rising costs in the mid-2000s. Despite these hurdles, Diraison's early collaborations solidified his foundation in professional voice work, highlighting the collaborative spirit of New York's anime dubbing pioneers.^[8]

Transition to Los Angeles and Bang Zoom Entertainment

In the early 2010s, following the decline of major New York-based operations like 4Kids Entertainment, which ceased anime production in 2012, Marc Diraison relocated from New York to Los Angeles, California, establishing the city as his current residence.^[8] This transition, occurring in 2013, represented a pivotal evolution in his career, leveraging his foundational experience in East Coast dubbing to pursue opportunities on the West Coast.^[3]^[1] Diraison's move coincided with a broader industry shift in anime dubbing, where production hubs increasingly consolidated in Los Angeles and Texas rather than New York, driven by the growth of streaming platforms and larger licensing deals that favored centralized [West Coast](/page/West Coast) facilities.^[8] By the mid-2010s, Los Angeles had become a primary center for English-language anime adaptations, enabling voice actors to collaborate on high-volume projects with studios equipped for simultaneous dubbing workflows.^[8] Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Diraison integrated into the local scene by joining Bang Zoom! Entertainment, a Burbank-based studio renowned for its work on prominent anime series and video games.^[10] This affiliation expanded his access to major titles, including dubs produced in collaboration with networks like Crunchyroll and Aniplex, where he contributed to ensemble casts in series such as Occultic;Nine and Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic.^[10]^[11] The studio's focus on efficient, high-quality ADR sessions further solidified his role in the evolving landscape of anime localization.^[10]

ADR direction and scriptwriting contributions

Marc Diraison began his work as an ADR director and script adapter in the early 2000s at New York-based studios. One of his early contributions was directing and adapting the English dub for the OVA series Gin Rei (original 1994), produced in 2005.^[1] This marked the start of his behind-the-scenes involvement in anime production, evolving alongside his voice acting career.^[1] In the mid-2000s, Diraison expanded his directing and scriptwriting roles with projects like GaoGaiGar: King of the Braves (dub 2006), for which he served as ADR director and adaptation writer, guiding voice performances to capture the series' mecha action tone.^[1] He continued this work with Ninja Nonsense (dub 2006), acting as ADR director to coordinate ensemble casts in its comedic episodes.^[1] By the mid-2000s, his contributions included partial directing and adaptation for Ah! My Goddess (dub approx. 2006), specifically episodes 15-26, and full ADR direction for its sequel Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy (dub approx. 2007), focusing on romantic and supernatural elements in the script.^[1] These efforts at studios like 4Kids Entertainment emphasized precise timing in ADR sessions to sync with original Japanese audio.^[12] Entering the late 2000s and 2010s, Diraison's scriptwriting and directing extended to more diverse formats, including adaptations for children's series such as Let's Go! Tamagotchi (dub approx. 2009) and its feature film, where he handled voice direction and script localization to appeal to young audiences.^[1] He directed the dubs for The Slayers Revolution (dub approx. 2009) and The Slayers Evolution-R (dub approx. 2010), ensuring continuity in the fantasy adventure's dialogue flow.^[1] Notable script adaptation work includes Kurokami The Animation (dub 2010), blending mythology and action in English scripts, and later projects like Welcome to THE SPACE SHOW (dub approx. 2011) as ADR director, Zetman (dub approx. 2012) for script adaptation, and Patema Inverted (dub approx. 2014), where his writing refined sci-fi themes for Western viewers.^[1] These roles at Bang Zoom! Entertainment in Los Angeles during this period highlighted his transition to West Coast production hubs.^[5] Diraison's ADR direction and scriptwriting have influenced English anime localizations by prioritizing cultural nuances and performer guidance, contributing to higher-quality dubs in the industry since the early 2000s.^[1] His work trained emerging talent through collaborative sessions, though specific mentorship details remain tied to project credits.^[3] His last major directing credit was for Patema Inverted in approx. 2014.^[1]

Voice acting roles

Anime dubbing

Marc Diraison has voiced characters in over 70 English dubs of anime series and original video animations (OVAs) from the late 1990s through 2023, with his work emphasizing gritty, authoritative figures in action-oriented narratives.^[1] His contributions highlight a transition from New York-based productions in the early 2000s to Los Angeles studios post-2006, where he took on more prominent antagonist and mentor roles.^[1] Notable for his gravelly delivery, Diraison's performances often capture the intensity of complex anti-heroes, as seen in his breakthrough role.^[2]

4Kids Era and Early New York Dubs (1997–2006)

During the early phase of his career, primarily with New York studios like NYAV Post and 4Kids Entertainment, Diraison lent his voice to several foundational anime dubs, focusing on shonen series and mecha titles. This period included his iconic portrayal of Guts in the 1997 Berserk series, dubbed in 2002, where he embodied the tormented swordsman's rage and resilience across 25 episodes.^[1] He also voiced Roronoa Zolo (later Zoro) in the 4Kids dub of One Piece (1999), covering episodes 1–143 from 2004 to 2006, navigating the challenges of adapting the pirate adventure's humor and swordplay for a younger audience.^[1] Other roles from this era include Dr. Leo Shishioh in GaoGaiGar: King of the Braves (1997, dubbed 2003), a heroic scientist in the super robot genre; Toshiyuki Aoshima in Ah! My Goddess (2005 TV series and 2006 sequel); Saizo Kirigakure in Samurai Deeper Kyo (2002); and Patrick Zala in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed (2002) and its 2004 sequel Destiny.^[1] Additional supporting parts encompassed Vice Principal in Sadamitsu the Destroyer (2001), Karsoon in Space Pirate Mito (1999), and various characters in Sonic X (2003) and Pokémon episodes like Tyson in Pokémon Advance (2002). These early dubs, totaling around 20 titles, established Diraison's reputation for versatile, intense voicing in fast-paced action sequences.^[1]

Bang Zoom! Entertainment and Later Los Angeles Dubs (2007–2023)

Following his relocation to Los Angeles, Diraison became a staple at Bang Zoom! Entertainment, contributing to over 50 high-profile dubs with roles that often featured authoritative or villainous figures in fantasy and sci-fi settings. He reprised his signature role as Guts in the Berserk: The Golden Age Arc film trilogy (2012–2013), capturing the character's evolution in the prequel storyline, and again in the 2022 Memorial Edition TV recut, allowing fans a renewed experience of the saga's dark themes.^[1] In Hunter × Hunter (2011), he voiced Ging Freecss across 14 episodes, portraying the elusive, world-weary father figure central to the protagonist's journey.^[1] Diraison delivered the enigmatic Akihiko Kayaba in Sword Art Online (2012 TV series), its 2013 special, and 2017 movie Ordinal Scale, emphasizing the game creator's god-like detachment in a virtual reality thriller.^[1] His performance as Tokiomi Tohsaka in Fate/Zero (2011–2012) highlighted the mage's strategic cunning in the Holy Grail War, a role praised for its measured intensity.^[1] Further standout contributions include Wilhelm van Astrea, the veteran swordsman in Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (2016); Ithnan in Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (2012) and its 2013 sequel; Kugel in Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet (2013); and Ruin in The Seven Deadly Sins (2014) and its 2018 sequel. Supporting roles extended to Zeon Zum Deikun in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015 OVA and 2019 TV), Pig God in One Punch Man (2015 TV and OVAs), and Taki's Father in your name. (2016). This era's dubs, marked by larger-scale productions, showcased Diraison's adaptability to ensemble casts and narrative depth, with unique challenges like syncing to rapid dialogue in mecha battles or emotional monologues in isekai plots.^[1]

Video games

Marc Diraison began contributing to English dubs of video games in the mid-2000s, primarily through his work with New York-based studios before transitioning to Los Angeles-based projects. His roles often featured in Japanese-developed titles, including action-adventure and role-playing games, where he voiced antagonists, mentors, and supporting characters. Diraison frequently reprised characters from anime adaptations in their interactive counterparts, providing continuity for fans across media.^[1]^[2] In the One Piece video game series, Diraison voiced Roronoa Zolo (also known as Zoro) in multiple entries during the 4Kids Entertainment era, starting with One Piece: Grand Battle! in 2005, where he also portrayed Genzo. He continued the role in One Piece: Pirates Carnival (2005) and One Piece: Grand Adventure (2007), alongside voicing Pell in the latter. These performances aligned with his anime dubbing work, emphasizing the swordsman's intense and determined personality in combat scenarios.^[3]^[1] Diraison's involvement in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise extended to mobile and console games, where he reprised his role as Kalin Kessler from the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's anime. Notable appearances include Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links (2016 release, with his role added in 2019 updates), portraying the Dark Signer in duels and story events, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Cross Duel (2022), voicing the character in team-based battles. These dubs highlighted Kessler's brooding demeanor and strategic dialogue during card gameplay.^[2]^[1] For the Sword Art Online games, Diraison voiced Akihiko Kayaba, the enigmatic creator of the virtual world, reprising his anime performance across several titles developed by Bandai Namco. He first appeared in Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment (2013) and Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment (2013), providing narration and key confrontations. The role continued in Sword Art Online: Lost Song (2014), Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization (2016), and Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris (2020), where his deep, authoritative delivery underscored Kayaba's philosophical motivations in VRMMORPG settings.^[2]^[3] In the Fire Emblem series, Diraison portrayed Conrad, the masked knight of Zofia, in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (2017), delivering lines in tactical battles and character interactions that revealed his noble backstory. He reprised the role in the mobile title Fire Emblem Heroes (2017 onward), voicing Conrad in various events and summons, contributing to the game's gacha-style progression and story arcs.^[1]^[13] Other significant roles from 2006 to 2019 include Guts in Berserk and the Band of the Hawk (2016), a musou-style action game where Diraison captured the warrior's rage in hack-and-slash combat; Captain Barbaros in Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (2017), voicing the pirate leader in exploration and dungeon-crawling sequences; and Dejing Hong in Shenmue III (2019), providing additional depth to the martial arts adventure's supporting cast. Earlier contributions encompassed additional voices in .hack//G.U. trilogy (2006-2007) and Eric Lecarde in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (2006) and Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (2008), focusing on gothic action-platforming narratives. These performances, often recorded at studios like Bang Zoom! Entertainment after his 2013 relocation, showcased Diraison's versatility in localized dubs without motion capture involvement.^[2]^[1]

Animation and films

Marc Diraison has contributed voices to several Western animated series, showcasing his versatility in non-Japanese productions. In the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, he provided the voice for Silver Sentry, a heroic figure who aids the Turtles against threats like the Foot Clan, appearing in episodes such as "Tales of Leo."^[14] He also lent additional voices to various characters, including minor roles like a car owner, cop, and demon, across the series from 2003 to 2008.^[15] In the English dub of the Italian animated series Winx Club, Diraison voiced Helia, a specialist from Red Fountain School and Bloom's ally, in 18 episodes between 2005 and 2007, contributing to the 4Kids Entertainment adaptation.^[16] His work extends to animated feature films, where he has taken on supporting roles that highlight his range in narrative-driven projects. In Bill Plympton's 2008 independent animated film Idiots and Angels, Diraison voiced Bart, a character entangled in the protagonist's surreal misadventures involving greed and transformation.^[17] These film roles differ from his series dubs by emphasizing standalone stories with deeper character arcs, often in shorter formats that allow for more focused performances compared to the episodic nature of television animation. Diraison's involvement in such projects underscores his broader portfolio in Western animation, spanning both serialized storytelling and cinematic works from the mid-2000s onward. In addition to purely animated content, Diraison has participated in English dubs for live-action films during the 2003–2017 period, blending his voice work with hybrid media. For the 2008 biographical TV movie Josemaria Escrivá, he voiced Valdovinos, a supporting figure in the story of the Catholic saint's life, marking one of his contributions to dubbed live-action narratives.^[18] This hybrid approach highlights his adaptability across formats, though his primary emphasis remains in animation. While much of Diraison's acclaim stems from anime adaptations, his film credits occasionally overlap with those, such as voicing Guts in the Berserk: The Golden Age Arc trilogy (2012–2013) and Taki's Father in Your Name (2016), serving as extensions of his series-based performances in similar franchises.^[19] Overall, these non-anime media appearances from 2003 to 2017 demonstrate a diverse scope, encompassing over a dozen roles in Western series and films that complement his extensive dubbing career.