If you spent any part of the last fifteen years watching anime dubs, you've definitely heard her. You know the voice. It’s that perfect mix of scratchy, youthful, and surprisingly vulnerable. We’re talking about the woman who took over one of the most iconic roles in anime history and somehow made it her own without missing a beat. Maxey Whitehead.
Most people immediately jump to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. And honestly? Fair. Replacing Aaron Dismuke as Alphonse Elric was basically a high-stakes mission. Fans are notoriously picky. If you mess up a legacy character like Al, the internet never lets you forget it. But Whitehead didn't just "fill in." She brought a specific kind of gentle, hollow-armor resonance to the part that defined the 2010 series for a whole generation of Western viewers.
But if you think that’s all she’s done, you’re missing out on some of the weirdest and most beautiful performances in the Funimation (now Crunchyroll) catalog.
The Al Elric Factor: Why the Switch Worked
Let’s get the big one out of the way. When Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood started production for its English dub, Aaron Dismuke, who voiced Alphonse in the original 2003 series, had hit puberty. His voice had dropped. He didn't sound like a little boy trapped in a suit of armor anymore.
Enter Maxey Whitehead.
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It’s actually kinda wild how seamless it was. Whitehead has this natural rasp that fits "young boy" roles perfectly, but she avoids the "cartoonishly high" trap that some female VOs fall into. In the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episodes and the follow-up film The Sacred Star of Milos, her performance anchored the emotional core of the show. She had to play a soul that literally had no body to express emotion with. Just those glowing white eyes and a metal face. That’s pure vocal acting.
Beyond the Armor: Crona and the "Genderless" Mystery
If Alphonse is her most famous role, Crona from Soul Eater is arguably her most complex. Crona is a tragic, anxious mess of a character—someone who "doesn't know how to deal with" anything.
Whitehead’s performance here is legendary among fans because she managed to keep Crona’s gender ambiguous, just like the original Japanese intent. She played into the stuttering, the fear, and that chilling "Black Blood" insanity with a nuance that made you want to give the character a hug and run away in terror at the same time.
Honestly, it’s one of the best examples of how Maxey can shift from "sweet kid" to "deeply disturbed" in a single scene.
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A Quick Look at the Big Hits
If you're scanning through a list of Maxey Whitehead movies and TV shows, you’ll see she’s a staple in massive franchises. She’s not just a one-hit-wonder in the industry.
- Dragon Ball Z Kai: She took over as Dende. It was a perfect fit for the little Namekian who eventually becomes Earth's guardian.
- Tokyo Ghoul: She voiced Juuzo Suzuya. If you want to hear her go absolutely off the rails, this is the one. Juuzo is a violent, unpredictable investigator, and Whitehead’s high-energy, slightly manic delivery is a standout in the series.
- Princess Jellyfish: She played the lead, Tsukimi Kurashita. This is a rare lead female role for her, and it shows her range outside of the "young boy" archetype. She captures the awkward, jellyfish-obsessed otaku vibe perfectly.
- Baccano!: As Czeslaw Meyer, she played a child who has lived for centuries and seen way too much horror. It’s a chilling role that requires a lot of "old soul in a young body" energy.
The Recent Shift: Where is She Now?
You might have noticed she hasn't been in every single new show lately. That's because the industry changes, and actors move into different phases. One of her last big theatrical credits was My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2020), where she voiced Katsuma Shimano.
It was a classic Whitehead role—a brave kid looking up to heroes. It reminded everyone why she was the go-to for these parts for over a decade. Since then, she’s stayed active in the convention circuit and continues to be a favorite for legacy roles in video games, like reprising Dende for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot and the 2024 release Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.
Why Her Filmography Matters
Maxey Whitehead represents a specific era of dubbing where the "Texas pool" of talent was hitting its stride. She worked alongside legends like Colleen Clinkenbeard and Vic Mignogna, helping bridge the gap between the experimental early 2000s and the polished, high-production dubs we see today.
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She’s one of those actors who makes the character feel like a person, not just a set of lines. When you watch her as Antonio in Romeo × Juliet or Sealand in Hetalia, there’s a consistent heart there.
Maxey Whitehead: The Essential Watchlist
If you want to truly appreciate what she brings to the table, don't just stick to the Elric brothers. Check these out:
- Soul Eater: Watch the first time Crona appears. The way she handles the character's social anxiety is honestly relatable to a painful degree.
- Princess Jellyfish: It’s a short series, but it’s her best "human" performance. It’s funny, sweet, and shows she can carry a whole show without a sword or magic powers.
- Tokyo Ghoul: Just to see the range. Juuzo is the polar opposite of Alphonse. It’s loud, it’s weird, and it’s brilliant.
How to Keep Up With Her Work
The best way to see what's next for Maxey is to keep an eye on the credits of major anime video games. While she’s done plenty of TV work, the gaming world is where many voice actors find long-term stability with recurring characters like Dende.
You can also find her at various anime conventions across the US. She’s famously kind to fans and often shares behind-the-scenes stories about the "mouth flaps" (or lack thereof) when voicing a giant suit of armor.
If you're looking to dive into the world of Maxey Whitehead movies and TV shows, start with Brotherhood for the soul, Soul Eater for the craft, and Princess Jellyfish for the heart. You really can’t go wrong with any of them.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go check out the English dub of Nichijou. Maxey voices Yoshino Naganohara, and her comedic timing in that show is severely underrated. It’s a great way to see her handle high-speed, absurdist comedy which is a far cry from the life-or-death stakes of Fullmetal Alchemist.