You’ve probably heard Kyle McCarley’s voice more times than you can count. Maybe you know him as the awkward but terrifyingly powerful kid in Mob Psycho 100, or perhaps you spent eighty hours listening to him question the nature of existence as 9S in NieR: Automata.
Honestly, he’s one of those guys who just "gets" the nuance of a character. He doesn't just read lines; he breathes a certain vulnerability into them. But lately, when people talk about Kyle McCarley movies and tv shows, the conversation isn't just about his talent—it’s about the massive stand he took against the biggest player in the anime streaming world. It was a move that basically changed how fans look at the industry.
From Kansas to the World of Warcraft
Kyle didn't just wake up in Los Angeles one day with a microphone. He grew up in Kansas and moved to LA when he was 18 to study at USC. While he was working on his theater degree, he fell into a deep World of Warcraft hole. We’ve all been there, right? But instead of just raiding, he actually co-wrote and voiced a fan-made online radio play set in that universe. That was the spark.
He didn't start with the huge roles immediately. Like most voice actors, he put in the work on commercials, audiobooks, and industrial ads. He even voiced a talking toy plunger at one point. That’s the reality of the grind.
The Roles That Defined a Career
If we're looking at the list of Kyle McCarley movies and tv shows, we have to start with Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama. Mob is a tricky character because he’s supposed to be "emotionally stunted" but still deeply relatable. Kyle nailed that balance. For two seasons, he was the heart of that show.
Then you’ve got Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. He played Mikazuki Augus, a character who is almost the polar opposite of Mob—cold, decisive, and frankly, a bit of a sociopath in battle.
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Here are some of the heavy hitters he's been involved with:
- Mob Psycho 100: Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama (Seasons 1 & 2)
- NieR: Automata Ver1.1a: Reprising his iconic role as 9S from the game.
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind: The hot-headed Narancia Ghirga.
- Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works: The character everyone loves to hate, Shinji Matō.
- Your Lie in April: Ryota Watari, the upbeat contrast to the show's heavier themes.
- Lego Monkie Kid: Red Son, where he gets to lean into a more energetic, villainous-but-fun vibe.
The sheer range is wild. He can go from a soft-spoken kid to a screaming teenager with a switchblade in the span of a single recording day.
The Crunchyroll Controversy (The Elephant in the Room)
You can't talk about Kyle McCarley movies and tv shows today without addressing why he isn't in Mob Psycho 100 Season 3. It was a huge deal. In 2022, Crunchyroll approached him to return for the third season. Kyle, being a staunch union supporter and member of the SAG-AFTRA Dubbing Steering Committee, made a very specific offer.
He told Crunchyroll he would work on the season non-union—meaning he'd basically go against his own union's "Global Rule One"—on one condition. He wanted Crunchyroll to just sit down and meet with union representatives to discuss a future contract.
They said no.
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It wasn't even about the money for Kyle. He's gone on record saying the pay they offered was actually decent. It was about the principle of collective bargaining. Because they wouldn't even agree to a meeting, Kyle walked away from his most famous role. It was a gutsy move that divided the fan base. Some people called him a hero for standing up for labor rights; others were just bummed they didn't get his voice for the finale of Mob's story.
Recent Work and What's Coming in 2025/2026
Even after the "Mob" drama, Kyle hasn't slowed down. He’s been moving more into Western animation and high-profile video games. Just recently in 2024, he popped up in The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish as Dev Dimmadome. It’s a completely different energy than his anime work, which shows he’s not just "the anime guy."
Looking ahead, he’s attached to some major projects for 2025 and 2026. He’s slated to appear in the highly anticipated Sakamoto Days as Kurii Ning and Ishikawa. There's also Übel Blatt, where he’s taking on the lead role of Koinzell. It seems like the industry has realized that while he might be firm on his union stance, his talent is too good to ignore.
Why He Still Matters to Fans
Kyle is sorta the "actor's actor" in the dubbing world. He’s transparent about the job. He hosts a stream called The Board & Barrel where he just hangs out and plays games, showing he's actually part of the community he works for.
Most people don't realize how grueling dubbing is. You’re in a dark booth, matching flaps (lip-syncing), often without seeing the full script beforehand. Kyle has been one of the most vocal advocates for better working conditions, like "vocal stress" protections. If an actor has to scream for four hours straight, they might not be able to work for a week. Kyle is pushing to make sure the people who voice your favorite characters aren't destroying their throats for a one-time paycheck.
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How to Follow His Work
If you want to dive deeper into the Kyle McCarley movies and tv shows catalog, start with these:
- Watch the Netflix dubs: Since Netflix often works with union contracts, you’ll find a lot of his best recent work there, like Devilman Crybaby (where he plays a chilling Ryo Asuka) and B: The Beginning.
- Play the games: Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is basically a masterclass in lead protagonist voice acting. He plays Alm with so much sincerity it actually makes the 3DS-era dialogue feel Shakespearean.
- Check out the indies: He’s done a lot of work for smaller studios. Check out Unepic or 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim to hear him in more experimental narratives.
To stay updated, the best move is to follow his social channels where he’s surprisingly active. He often posts about which conventions he’ll be attending, and honestly, he’s one of the few actors who will actually talk to you about the "boring" stuff like contract law and industry standards.
Go watch Mob Psycho 100 (the first two seasons, anyway) and really listen to how he handles the silence. That’s where the real skill is.
Check out his IMDb or official website to see a full list of his credits, especially his recent jump into Western cartoons like American Dad! and Family Guy.