If you watched the first ten episodes of Black Clover back in 2017, you probably wanted to mute your TV. Or maybe throw it out the window. The screaming was... a lot. Most people didn't realize they were witnessing the literal birth of a career. Gakuto Kajiwara, the Asta Black Clover voice actor, didn't just walk into a recording booth and become a star. He screamed his way through a wall of hate to get there. It’s actually kind of poetic when you think about it. Just like Asta, Kajiwara was an underdog with zero "magic"—in this case, zero experience—who everyone told to shut up.
He’s a household name now. But back then? He was just a kid.
Why the Asta Black Clover Voice Actor Faced So Much Early Backlash
Let's be real. The debut of the Black Clover anime was a mess for Kajiwara. In the Japanese voice acting industry (Seiyuu), fans expect perfection from minute one. They want that polished, crisp, "protagonist" sound. Instead, they got Kajiwara’s raw, raspy, and incredibly loud interpretation of Asta. It was grating. Honestly, the internet was ruthless. If you go back to old forums from late 2017, the threads are filled with people begging for a recast. They thought he was trying too hard.
The thing is, Kajiwara was actually doing exactly what the director asked. Asta is a character who has been told he’s nothing his whole life. He compensates with volume. Kajiwara, who was only about 22 or 23 at the time, took that literally. He wasn't just acting; he was straining his vocal cords to the point of physical pain. He didn't have the technique yet to "fake" a scream. He was just... screaming.
It’s rare to see a voice actor grow up alongside their character so visibly. By the time we hit the Elf Reincarnation arc, that shrill, piercing tone had evolved. It became gravelly. It had weight. The community shifted from "please stop" to "don't let anyone else play this role." That kind of redemption arc doesn't happen often in the industry.
💡 You might also like: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
The English Side: Dallas Reid’s Different Approach
We can't talk about the Asta Black Clover voice actor without mentioning the English dub. Dallas Reid took on the mantle for Funimation (now Crunchyroll). If Kajiwara was raw emotion, Reid was high-octane energy. He had a bit more experience going in, having done roles in Dragon Ball Super and Sakura Quest, but Asta was his massive break.
Reid’s Asta felt a bit more like a classic shonen hero from the jump. He managed to capture the "annoying" trait without making viewers reach for the remote quite as fast. He’s gone on record at various conventions—like Anime Weekend Atlanta—talking about the physical toll of the role. You can’t voice Asta and have a relaxing day at the office. You leave the booth feeling like you’ve run a marathon with your throat.
The Technical Evolution of Gakuto Kajiwara
Kajiwara is a musician too. That’s the secret.
If you listen to the 12th opening theme of Black Clover, "Everlasting Shine" by TXT, he’s not there, but he eventually started performing his own music for the series. He performed the ending theme "A Walk." This musical background is likely what helped him fix his vocal issues. He learned how to support his breath. He learned that Asta’s power doesn't come from the throat; it comes from the diaphragm.
📖 Related: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
Here is a quick look at how his career exploded after he proved he could handle the pressure:
- Shinra Kusakabe in Fire Force: This was the turning point. People realized he wasn't a "one-trick pony" who could only yell. He brought a creepy, nervous energy to Shinra that was totally different from Asta.
- Hitohito Tadano in Komi Can't Communicate: Talk about a 180-degree turn. He went from the loudest character in anime history to a guy who is defineably "average" and quiet.
- Awards: He won the Best New Actor award at the 14th Seiyuu Awards in 2020. That was the industry finally admitting, "Okay, kid, you belong here."
Misconceptions About the Role
People think being the Asta Black Clover voice actor is just about being the loudest person in the room. It’s not. The hardest parts of voicing Asta are the quiet moments. Think back to the scene where Asta thinks he’ll never be able to use his arms again after the battle with Vetto. Kajiwara had to convey a kid who was literally breaking inside while trying to keep a smile for his friends. That’s nuance. That’s what separates a "screamer" from an actor.
Another huge misconception? That he was hired because he sounded like the creator’s vision. Actually, Yuki Tabata (the manga creator) has mentioned in interviews that Asta's voice in his head was a bit different, but Kajiwara's passion during the audition won the team over. They chose heart over "correctness."
What Happened During the Hiatus?
When the Black Clover TV anime ended in 2021, everyone panicked. Was it the end? No. We got the Sword of the Wizard King movie on Netflix. Kajiwara’s performance in that film is arguably his best work as Asta. The production quality was higher, the stakes were bigger, and his voice had fully matured. It was deeper. It sounded like a young man, not a screeching boy.
👉 See also: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
Currently, as the manga nears its conclusion, Kajiwara has stayed incredibly busy. He’s active on YouTube, he’s still making music, and he’s become a regular fixture at anime expos worldwide. He’s no longer the "rookie who screams." He’s a veteran.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Voice Actors
If you’re looking at Gakuto Kajiwara’s career as a blueprint, there are a few brutal truths to swallow.
First, protect your voice. Kajiwara has admitted he didn't know how to scream safely at the start. If you want a long career, you need vocal coaching before you take on "shouting" roles. Second, ignore the initial noise. If Kajiwara had listened to the hate in 2017, he might have quit. He stayed the course, trusted his director, and let his improvement speak for itself.
Lastly, diversify your skills. Kajiwara’s ability to sing and his willingness to play drastically different roles (like Tadano) saved him from being typecast. Don’t just be the "loud guy." Prove you can be the "quiet guy" too.
To really understand the impact of his work, go back and watch Episode 1 and then watch the final fight against Lucifero. The difference isn't just in the animation. It's in the soul of the voice. Kajiwara didn't just voice Asta; he grew up with him. And that's why, despite the rough start, he is the only person who could have ever played the Clover Kingdom's greatest underdog.
Check out Gakuto Kajiwara’s official music releases on platforms like Spotify or YouTube to hear the range he developed while working on the series. Comparing his singing voice to his "Asta voice" is the best way to appreciate the sheer technical control he now possesses.