Honestly, the "sub vs. dub" war in the anime community is usually a headache nobody wants to deal with. But when it comes to a show as emotionally brutal as Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, the stakes feel different. You’ve got a protagonist who spends half the series screaming in agony and the other half having a mental breakdown. If the voice acting isn't perfect, the whole thing falls apart.
The re zero dub cast didn't just show up to work; they basically lived through a psychological thresher for our entertainment.
The Absolute Powerhouse of Sean Chiplock
Let's talk about Subaru. Or rather, let's talk about the man who had to scream himself hoarse for three seasons: Sean Chiplock.
If you've watched the Japanese version, you know Yūsuke Kobayashi is a legend. Replacing that kind of raw, throat-shredding performance is an impossible task. Yet, Chiplock somehow nailed the "pathetic but trying" vibe that makes Subaru Natsuki work. He brings this weirdly specific American "try-hard" energy that fits a shut-in gamer perfectly.
In the early episodes, he's annoying. He’s supposed to be! But by the time we hit the "From Zero" speech or the absolute nightmare of the rabbit scene, Chiplock is delivering lines with a level of visceral pain that's rare in English dubs. You can actually hear the spit and the desperation. It’s not just "acting" at that point—it sounds like a guy who’s actually losing his mind.
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The Silver-Haired Heroine and the Blue Maid
Kayli Mills had the unenviable task of voicing Emilia. It’s a role that requires a very specific blend of "angelic saint" and "socially awkward teenager." Mills handles the "EMT" (Emilia-tan is Seriously an Angel) moments with ease, but she really shines in Season 2 and 3 when Emilia actually starts to develop some backbone.
Then there’s Rem.
Brianna Knickerbocker’s performance as Rem is probably why half the fanbase is still team blue-hair. She has this soft, breathy quality that can switch to "demonic rage" in a heartbeat. It’s iconic. Fun fact: Knickerbocker actually sang the English version of the song "Wishing" for the dub, which is a rare treat for fans who usually expect insert songs to stay in the original Japanese.
A Massive Ensemble: Who’s Who in Lugnica
The deeper you get into the series, the more the re zero dub cast expands into a "who's who" of modern voice acting talent. It’s kind of a stacked roster.
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- Beatrice: Voiced by Kira Buckland. She perfectly captures the "I’m a thousand-year-old spirit but I’m going to act like a bratty librarian" energy. She even keeps the "I suppose" (kashira) verbal tic in a way that doesn't feel forced.
- Ram: Ryan Bartley brings the necessary dry, caustic wit. Her banter with Subaru is one of the highlights of the dub.
- Roswaal L. Mathers: Ray Chase. If you know Ray Chase (Noctis from FFXV), you know he has range. His Roswaal is theatrical, creepy, and has that weirdly rhythmic speech pattern that makes you want to punch him and listen to him at the same time.
- Otto Suwen: Zach Aguilar. The best boy. Otto is the audience surrogate most of the time, and Aguilar gives him that "I’m just a merchant why is this happening to me" charm.
The Villains Stealing the Spotlight
We have to mention the Sin Archbishops.
Todd Haberkorn as Betelgeuse Romanee-Conti is... well, it’s a lot. It’s manic. It’s gross. It’s perfect. He matched the energy of the Japanese performance so closely that it’s almost disturbing.
Moving into Season 3, the cast shifted a bit. For instance, the role of the incredibly punchable Regulus Corneas was handled by Khoi Dao, replacing the earlier performance by Ryan Colt Levy in the brief Season 2 appearances. Both actors managed to capture the "insufferable Karen" energy that defines the Greed Archbishop.
Why People Get the Dub Wrong
A lot of people skip the dub because they think it loses the "nuance" of the Japanese script. While some honorifics (like Subaru calling Emilia "Emilia-tan") are adjusted, the emotional core stays intact.
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Actually, some scenes hit harder in English because you aren't distracted by reading text while Subaru is getting his internal organs rearranged. You’re just hearing the raw sound. The localization team at Bang Zoom! Entertainment really leaned into making the dialogue feel conversational rather than a direct, stiff translation.
How to Best Experience the English Version
If you’re planning a rewatch or diving in for the first time, keep an eye on the "Director’s Cut" versions of Season 1. They cleaned up some of the pacing and added a few small details that the original TV run missed.
- Watch the OVAs: Memory Snow and The Frozen Bond are both dubbed. Do not skip them. The Frozen Bond gives Kayli Mills some of her best material as she explores Emilia’s backstory.
- Season 2 Part 2: This is where the voice acting peaks. The "Choose Me" episode with Sean Chiplock and Kira Buckland is genuinely one of the best-acted episodes in anime history.
- Check out Isekai Quartet: If you want to see the re zero dub cast having some fun without the constant threat of death, this crossover series is hilarious and uses the same voice actors.
Whether you're a die-hard sub fan or a casual watcher, the English cast of Re:Zero has earned its place. They took a show about suffering and made it sound heartbreakingly real.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with the latest cast updates, especially for the newer villains in Season 3, follow the official Crunchyroll news feed. You can also find most of these actors on the convention circuit; Sean Chiplock and Kayli Mills are famously active on social media and love discussing their approach to these complex roles. Check out their "Behind the Voice" interviews on YouTube for a deeper look at how they handled those high-intensity recording sessions.