You know that voice. It’s gravelly, warm, and carries the weight of a man who has seen too many revolutions fail. When Vander speaks in the opening scenes of Arcane, standing on that ash-covered bridge, there’s an immediate sense of "I’ve heard this guy before."
That’s because you definitely have.
The man behind the "Hound of Zaun" is JB Blanc, a veteran of the industry who has probably been in half the games and shows you’ve loved over the last two decades. But his performance as Vander isn't just another gig. It’s a masterclass in vocal acting that anchors the entire emotional stakes of the first act.
The Man Behind the Muscle: Who Voices Vander in Arcane?
JB Blanc isn't just some random actor they found in a booth. He’s a French-British powerhouse who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). If you're wondering why Vander feels so grounded and "theatrical" even when he’s just ordering a drink at The Last Drop, that’s the Shakespearean training leaking through.
Most people don’t realize Blanc actually does double duty in the show. Not only did he voice the hulking father figure of the Undericty, but he also provided the voice for Irius Bolbok, that golden-armored, walrus-looking member of the Piltover Council. Talk about range. One minute he’s a gritty rebel leader, the next he’s a stuffy aristocrat.
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Honestly, the chemistry he has with the younger cast is what makes the tragedy of the first three episodes hit so hard. You can hear the exhaustion in his voice every time he has to bail Vi out of trouble. It’s not just anger; it’s a weary, desperate kind of love.
You’ve Definitely Heard Him Before
If you’re sitting there scratching your head trying to place the voice, let me help you out. JB Blanc is a literal chameleon.
- Apex Legends: He’s the voice of Caustic. Yeah, the "breathe it in" gas scientist. Going from the murderous sociopathy of Alexander Nox to the protective warmth of Vander is a wild pivot.
- League of Legends: Long before Arcane existed, he was already part of the Riot family. He voices Braum, the heart of the Freljord. It’s kind of poetic—he went from voicing the most wholesome, shield-bearing hero in the game to playing the "Shield of Zaun."
- Breaking Bad / Better Call Saul: He’s not just a voice actor. He played Dr. Barry Goodman, the doctor who works for Gus Fring.
- Titanfall 2: He’s the legendary Kuben Blisk. "You kill me, you're bettah. I kill you, I'm bettah."
He’s also been in Naruto (as Sasori and Pakkun), Bleach, and Hellsing Ultimate. Basically, if a character needs to sound authoritative, slightly European, or deeply intimidating, JB Blanc is the first call casting directors make.
The Vander and Warwick Connection
There’s a reason people were obsessed with who voices Vander in Arcane from the moment the first trailer dropped. For years, League of Legends lore nerds had a theory that a man named Vander was the human original for the monster Warwick.
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When the show aired, the clues were everywhere. The way he growls. The chemical experiments. The "Hound" nickname.
Season 2 took those breadcrumbs and turned them into a full-blown meal. As Vander’s story shifts into the monstrous transformation of Warwick, Blanc’s performance has to evolve too. It moves from human speech into animalistic snarls and pained, half-remembered whispers. It’s haunting stuff. It’s one thing to voice a tough guy; it’s another to voice the soul of a man being erased by Shimmer and madness.
Why This Casting Actually Matters
A lot of animated shows these days just throw a famous A-list movie star into a role to get a name on the poster. Arcane didn't do that. They went for "voice-first" actors like Blanc who understand the technical nuances of a recording booth.
Vander needed to feel like a bridge between two worlds—the violent past of the rebellion and the fragile peace he’s trying to keep for his kids. Blanc uses his natural accent (a sort of refined, Northern-tinted British) but adds a layer of gravel that makes it feel like he’s swallowed a bit of the Zaunite gray.
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It’s that subtle texture that makes us care when he finally picks up those iron gauntlets. You’re not just watching a cartoon character; you’re hearing a man who broke his promise to never fight again because his family was in danger.
What to Watch (or Play) Next if You Love JB Blanc
If you’re now a certified JB Blanc fan, you’ve got a lot of homework to do.
- Play Apex Legends: Listen to his Caustic quips. The "Entropy is the natural order" lines are iconic.
- Watch Better Call Saul: Check out his live-action work as the doctor. It’s a totally different vibe but shows off his screen presence.
- Check out Castlevania (Netflix): He voices several characters across the series, bringing that same dark, gothic energy.
- Listen for him in Diablo IV: He’s scattered throughout the world of Sanctuary.
Next time you're re-watching Arcane, pay attention to the scenes where Vander isn't even speaking—the heavy sighs, the grunts of effort, the way his voice cracks when he says goodbye to Vi. That’s the work of a pro who knows exactly how to make you cry with nothing but a microphone.
If you want to keep track of his latest projects, following his socials or checking his credits on IMDB is a great way to find new shows. He's incredibly prolific, so chances are he's in whatever big game or animated series is coming out next month.
Keep an eye on the Season 2 credits as well, because the way he handles the "Warwick" side of the character is going to be talked about for a long time in voice-acting circles.