Devil May Cry Anime Producer Confirms Kevin Conroy Was Recorded Before He Passed Away: ‘No AI Used’

This week, a newly released trailer for Netflix’s Devil May Cry anime has excited fans by revealing that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the video game adaptation. This news sparked curiosity about whether artificial intelligence (AI) was used to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled these rumors via a tweet, confirming that Conroy was recorded before his passing in November 2022 and that "no AI was used."

Shankar praised Conroy's performance, stating, "Mr. Conroy gave an amazingly nuanced performance. It was both a pleasure and an honor to work with him." Conroy, celebrated for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated films and TV shows, takes on the role of VP Baines, a new character introduced in the series. Fans can hear his voiceover at the beginning of the trailer.

Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante and previously played Nero in the video games, also shared his experience working with Conroy, calling it "an honor." He noted that their recording sessions occurred a few years ago, highlighting the lengthy process of animation production.

Conroy's posthumous voice work was previously acclaimed in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. Now, with Devil May Cry, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his talent following his passing at age 66, two-and-a-half years ago.

The official synopsis from Netflix describes the series: "Sinister forces are at play to open the portal between the human and demon realms. In the middle of it all is Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, unaware that the fate of both worlds hangs around his neck."

Adi Shankar, who also serves as the showrunner, is known for his work on the 2012 Dredd reboot, the acclaimed Castlevania anime, and Netflix series like The Guardians of Justice and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon. He is also set to executive produce an adaptation of Assassin’s Creed.

The animation for Devil May Cry is being handled by Studio Mir, a renowned South Korean studio known for their work on The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. The series is slated for release on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

In the broader context, generative AI remains a hot topic within the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs. AI has been met with criticism due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and challenges in creating content that resonates with audiences.