Kevin Conroy Recorded for Devil May Cry Anime Before Passing, No AI Used: Producer Confirms

This week, a newly released trailer for Netflix's Devil May Cry anime has unveiled that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in this video game adaptation. This revelation sparked speculation about the use of AI to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled these rumors in a tweet, confirming that Conroy had recorded his lines before his passing in November 2022 and that "no AI was used."

Shankar praised Conroy's performance, describing it as "amazingly nuanced" and expressing the honor of working with him. Conroy, renowned for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman across numerous animated projects, takes on the role of VP Baines in the Devil May Cry series. His voice can be heard in the trailer's opening, delivering a compelling performance.

Johnny Yong Bosch, known for voicing Dante in the *Devil May Cry* video games, also shared his experience working with Conroy, calling it an honor and acknowledging Conroy's legendary status. Bosch noted that their recording sessions occurred several years ago, highlighting the lengthy process of animation production.

Conroy's posthumous work was previously celebrated in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his talent following his passing at the age of 66, two-and-a-half years ago.

The official synopsis from Netflix describes the series as centered around Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, caught in a sinister plot to open a portal between the human and demon realms, with the fate of both worlds resting on his shoulders.

Adi Shankar, who also serves as the showrunner, is well-known for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including executive producing the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot, developing the acclaimed Castlevania anime, and creating 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 respected South Korean studio known for their work on The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. Devil May Cry is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

The topic of generative AI remains a hot button issue in the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs recently. Generative AI has been met with criticism from both fans and creators over ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in creating content that resonates with audiences.