You’re walking through Sixth Street, the neon humming in the background, and you hear it. That raspy, confident drawl from Billy Kid or the sharp, professional edge in Nicole Demara’s voice. It hits you—you’ve definitely heard these people before. It’s not just your imagination. HoYoverse went all out on the Zenless Zone Zero cast, pulling in industry veterans who have voiced some of the biggest icons in anime and gaming history.
But here’s the thing. Most people just glance at a Wiki page and move on. They miss the weird connections. Did you know the voice of a chaotic cyborg in New Eridu might also be a somber samurai in a completely different franchise? That’s the magic of this lineup. It’s a mix of legendary talent and fresh voices that give the game its distinct, urban-fantasy "vibe" that separates it from the high-fantasy tropes of Genshin Impact or the sci-fi weight of Honkai: Star Rail.
The Cunning Hares: More Than Just Starters
The Cunning Hares are basically your introduction to the world. They’re messy, broke, and incredibly charming. Anby Demara, voiced by Sam Slade in the English version, is a standout. Slade brings this specific, detached "kuudere" energy that makes Anby feel lethal yet weirdly obsessed with burger movies. If she sounds familiar, it’s because Slade has been popping up everywhere lately, including roles in Honkai: Star Rail as Topaz. It's a massive shift in range—from a corporate high-roller to a street-smart mercenary with a sword.
Then there’s Billy Kid. Honestly, Billy is the heart of the group. Zenless Zone Zero cast member Clifford Chapin voices him in English, and if you’re an anime fan, you know exactly who that is. It’s Katsuki Bakugo from My Hero Academia. Hearing that explosive, raspy energy channeled into a sentient, Starlight Knight-obsessed robot is a trip. Chapin has this unique ability to sound like he’s perpetually screaming even when he’s whispering. It fits Billy’s "cool but actually a huge nerd" persona perfectly.
Nicole Demara is voiced by Kira Buckland. If there’s a "Queen of Gacha Voices," it might be her. She was 2B in NieR: Automata. She’s Jolyne Cujoh in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Bringing that level of prestige to a character who is essentially a debt-ridden manager of a small-time mercenary group is a stroke of genius. She gives Nicole a layer of desperation masked by bravado that makes the character feel human despite the stylized art.
The Belobog Heavy Industries Powerhouse
Let’s talk about the heavy hitters. Literally. Belobog Heavy Industries brings a completely different vocal texture to the game. It’s grittier.
- Koleda Belobog: Voiced by Rosie Reyes. She’s small, she’s angry, and she carries a giant hammer. Reyes manages to make her sound like a boss without losing the fact that she’s essentially a kid trying to live up to a massive legacy.
- Anton Ivanov: Alejandro Saab. You might know him as CyYu on Twitch or as Jing Yuan in Star Rail. The man is a chameleon. For Anton, he leans into the "bro" energy—loud, supportive, and fiercely loyal. It’s a far cry from the calculated, calm general role he’s known for.
- Ben Bigger: Yes, the bear. Voiced by Henry Schrader. There is something inherently funny about a massive grizzly bear who is an expert accountant, and Schrader plays it straight. The deep, rumbling bass in his voice adds a layer of "tired dad" energy to the team.
Why the Japanese Dub Hits Differently
While the English Zenless Zone Zero cast is stellar, the Japanese voice overs (VO) are a "who’s who" of legendary seiyuu. This is where the veteran status really kicks in.
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Take Wise and Belle, the protagonists. Wise is voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya. We’re talking about the voice of Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan and Trafalgar Law from One Piece. Having a protagonist voiced by one of the most recognizable voices in Japan instantly gives the game a certain weight. Belle, on the other hand, is voiced by Sayumi Senbongi, known for Sarasa in Kageki Shojo!!. The sibling dynamic relies entirely on their chemistry, and even in a silent-protagonist-leaning game, their banter in the video store is top-tier.
Then you have Lycaon. The wolf butler.
The internet went feral for Lycaon, and a big part of that is Akira Ishida. If you’ve played Persona 3, he’s the protagonist. If you’ve watched Evangelion, he’s Kaworu Nagisa. Ishida has this silky, ethereal quality to his voice that makes Lycaon feel sophisticated and dangerous all at once. It’s the kind of casting that feels intentional—HoYoverse knows exactly what the fans want.
Breaking Down the Victoria Housekeeping Co.
This faction is probably the most "anime" out of the bunch, but the voice acting keeps it from feeling like a trope.
Corin Wickes, the anxious maid with a chainsaw, is voiced by Erika Harlacher in English. Harlacher is a veteran—Ann Takamaki in Persona 5, Shinobu in Demon Slayer. She does "nervous energy" better than almost anyone in the business. Every time Corin apologizes while revving a giant saw, you feel the internal conflict.
Alexandria Sebastiane (Rina) is voiced by Anne Yatco. Yatco is the Raiden Shogun in Genshin Impact. Going from the cold, intimidating Archon of Eternity to a graceful, slightly floaty head maid shows incredible range. Rina’s voice is airy, almost ghost-like, which matches her combat style involving levitating dolls.
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The Nuance of Voice Direction in New Eridu
Something people overlook is the voice direction. In many games, actors are told to "sound like a hero" or "sound like a villain." In Zenless, the direction feels more like "sound like you haven’t slept in three days because you’re worried about rent."
There is a groundedness to the Zenless Zone Zero cast that you don't find in Genshin. Since the game takes place in a city (New Eridu) rather than a sprawling wilderness, the dialogue is snappier. It’s more conversational. You’ll notice characters talk over each other, use slang, and sound genuinely annoyed by the world around them.
This is particularly evident in the NPCs. Even the characters who just stand around Sixth Street have distinct personalities. It builds an atmosphere of a lived-in world. You aren't just a savior; you're a "Proxy" doing a job. The voices reflect that blue-collar, urban grind.
Misconceptions About the Cast
A common mistake players make is thinking that because a character looks like a certain archetype, they will sound like one.
Take Grace Howard. Looking at her, you might expect a cold, calculating scientist. But her voice actress (Kanatetsu in JP) gives her an almost manic obsession with machines. She treats "Screw-kun" like a person. The voice acting adds a layer of "weirdness" that the character design alone doesn't fully convey.
Another one is Soukaku. People expect a "mascot" voice. What they get is something much more goblin-like and hungry. It subverts expectations in a way that keeps the game from feeling like a cookie-cutter gacha title.
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How to Choose Your Voice Language
Honestly? You can't go wrong.
If you want that classic, high-octane anime feel, the Japanese dub is unbeatable due to the sheer star power. Hearing names like Kamiya and Ishida in every cutscene is a treat for any long-time otaku.
However, the English dub for Zenless Zone Zero is arguably one of HoYoverse’s best efforts to date. Because the setting is so "urban Western" in its aesthetic—think 90s street culture, graffiti, and VHS tapes—the English slang and delivery feel more natural. Billy Kid’s English lines, in particular, feel like they were written specifically for Clifford Chapin's delivery style.
Final Thoughts on the Talent Behind the Screen
The Zenless Zone Zero cast isn't just a list of names; it’s the backbone of the game's identity. Without the frantic energy of the Cunning Hares or the refined intimidation of Victoria Housekeeping, New Eridu would just be a pretty background.
The actors bring a level of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) to their roles that only comes from years in the recording booth. They know how to breathe life into 2D models. They make you care about whether a proxy business survives or if a robot gets his favorite "Starlight Knight" collectible.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the performances:
- Toggle the languages: Don't stick to one. Switch to JP for the boss fights to hear the legendary battle cries, then switch back to EN for the Sixth Street exploration to catch the localized jokes.
- Follow the VAs: Many of the English cast members, like Alejandro Saab and Sam Slade, are active on social media and often share "behind the scenes" stories about their recording sessions.
- Check the "Archive": In-game, you can replay voice lines. Listen to the idle animations. There are tons of tiny character details hidden in the way a line is sighed or whispered.
- Watch the trailers: HoYoverse often releases "Character Teasers" that use unique dialogue not found in the main game. These are goldmines for understanding the vocal range of the cast.
New Eridu is a loud, chaotic, and vibrant place. The cast ensures it stays that way every time you log in. Whether you're a fan of the big names or looking for new talent to follow, there's no denying that the vocal performances are what truly turn these digital avatars into characters we actually care about.