So, you just finished watching that trippy Marvel anime and you're probably scratching your head. Most people get into this movie thinking it’s just another standard Saturday morning cartoon. It’s not. Iron Man: Rise of Technovore is this moody, almost existential piece of work from Madhouse, the same studio that gave us Death Note and One Punch Man. But honestly, the thing that sticks with most people—and likely why you're here—is the weirdly stacked English voice cast.
I mean, where else are you going to hear the guy from The Walking Dead playing Frank Castle alongside the voice of Jotaro Kujo?
The Iron Man Rise of Technovore cast is a fascinating mix of high-tier voice acting royalty and actual live-action stars. It’s a bit of a cult classic now, mostly because it feels so different from the MCU. If you grew up on Robert Downey Jr., this version of Tony Stark might feel a little... off. He’s more brooding. Less "genius billionaire playboy philanthropist" and more "depressed guy in a tin suit." Let's break down who actually voiced who, because some of these names are genuinely surprising.
The Big Names: Mercer and Reedus
You've got Matthew Mercer stepping into the lead role as Tony Stark. Nowadays, everyone knows Mercer as the legendary Dungeon Master for Critical Role or the voice of Ganondorf and Cole Cassidy. Back in 2013, he was already a powerhouse in the anime dubbing world, but taking on Iron Man was a big deal. He plays Tony with a bit more vulnerability than we’re used to. It's less snark and more "I'm tired of my technology trying to eat me."
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Then there’s the big one. Norman Reedus.
Yeah, Daryl Dixon himself.
Reedus voices Frank Castle, aka The Punisher. It’s arguably the best part of the whole movie. He brings this gravelly, "I don't give a damn" energy to the character that fits the anime's dark aesthetic perfectly. It's funny because Frank is only in the movie for about ten or fifteen minutes, but he totally steals the show. He and Tony have this reluctant team-up in Karachi that feels way more grounded than the rest of the film's weird techno-organic god-complex plot.
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- Matthew Mercer: Tony Stark / Iron Man
- Norman Reedus: Frank Castle / The Punisher
- James C. Mathis III: Rhodey / War Machine
- Kate Higgins: Pepper Potts
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Squad and the Villain
If you listen closely, you'll recognize a ton of other voices that have since become iconic. Clare Grant voices Black Widow, and she’s great at playing that cold, "I will definitely kill you if Fury asks" vibe. Speaking of Fury, he's voiced by John Eric Bentley, who has been the go-to voice for Nick Fury in a bunch of Marvel projects.
Then we have the antagonist. Eric Bauza voices Ezekiel Stane. You probably know Bauza as the current voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, which makes his performance here even more impressive. He’s playing a silver-haired, pouting, philosophical nightmare of a villain. Ezekiel is the son of Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges' character from the first Iron Man movie), but in this anime, he's basically a bishounen (pretty boy) version of a terrorist. He’s obsessed with "Technovore," which is this biological machine armor that basically turns people into marshmallow monsters by the end.
Other Notable Cast Members
- Troy Baker: He pulls double duty as Hawkeye and J.A.R.V.I.S. (basically the king of voice acting).
- Kari Wahlgren: Maria Hill.
- Tara Platt: Sasha Hammer.
- JB Blanc: Obadiah Stane (appearing in flashbacks/visions).
Why the Voice Acting Feels Different
There’s a reason the dialogue in Rise of Technovore feels a bit stiff compared to The Avengers. This was originally written and animated in Japan. The English cast had to "dub" over the Japanese mouth flaps. That’s why you’ll notice these weirdly long pauses or sentences that sound like they're being rushed at the end.
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It’s a classic anime problem.
The Japanese cast is also top-tier if you're a sub fan. Keiji Fujiwara was the Japanese voice of Tony Stark until his passing, and he was basically the RDJ of Japan. He had that same effortless cool. Having Miyuki Sawashiro as Black Widow is also a massive win for the original version—she’s a legend in the industry.
What You Should Actually Do Next
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this specific "Marvel Anime" universe, don't stop here. Rise of Technovore is actually a sequel/spin-off to the 12-episode Iron Man anime series.
Here is how you should tackle this if you want the full experience:
- Watch the Iron Man Anime Series (2010): It gives more context to Tony’s relationship with the Japanese lab (Lab 23).
- Check out Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher: This is the spiritual successor to Technovore. It’s another Madhouse production. Sadly, Norman Reedus doesn't come back for this one (Brian Bloom takes over), but the animation is even better.
- Look for the "Tale of Technovore" Featurette: If you have the Blu-ray, there's a behind-the-scenes bit where the creators explain why they made Ezekiel Stane look like an emo kid. It actually makes a weird amount of sense once they explain the "Akira" influence.
Honestly, even if you didn't love the plot—and let's be real, the ending is a bit of a mess—the Iron Man Rise of Technovore cast makes it worth a watch for any voice acting nerd. It’s a snapshot of a time when Marvel was really experimental with their brand, and seeing Matthew Mercer and Norman Reedus trade barbs is something you just don't get in the mainstream MCU. Grab some popcorn, ignore the weird marshmallow monster at the end, and just enjoy the vibes.