Outcry Erupts as Amazon Prime Video Replaces Voice Actors with AI Dub for Critically Acclaimed Anime Banana Fish

The acclaimed 2018 anime series Banana Fish, produced by MAPPA, has become the epicenter of a major industry debate. This follows the quiet introduction by Amazon Prime Video of an English and Spanish dub generated entirely by artificial intelligence (AI). This move, years after the show's initial premiere and despite long-standing fan desire for a professional voice-over, has drawn fierce condemnation from professional voice actors and the dedicated global fanbase.

Banana Fish is based on Akimi Yoshida’s influential 19-volume manga that debuted in 1985. The 24-episode adaptation immerses viewers in the gritty, dangerous 1980s New York underworld, following the compelling journey of street gang leader Ash Lynx. The series is particularly noted for its sensitive, nuanced handling of intensely difficult and often traumatic subject matter, treating these dark themes with genuine artistic respect rather than sensationalism, earning it a revered place among diverse audiences.

Criticism of AI Implementation

The automated dub has been met with immediate and widespread backlash. Fans, who patiently awaited an official English interpretation for seven years, are criticizing Amazon's decision to bypass human talent in favor of machine-generated audio. Critics describe the resulting audio track as emotionally hollow and monotone—utterly incapable of capturing the profound feeling and subtle character nuances that define the series' emotional core.

This controversy has galvanized prominent industry figures, including renowned voice actor Daman Mills, known for his roles in Dragon Ball Super and One Piece. Mills publicly blasted the platform on social media, labeling the use of AI to deliver a "queer trauma narrative" instead of compensating skilled human actors as deeply disrespectful. He issued a clear ultimatum: he will refuse all future dubbing collaborations with Amazon unless the company reverses course and addresses the situation immediately.

Further compounding the issue, the AI-generated audio appears to be implemented as a broad, automated solution for content accessibility rather than a service catering specifically to the Banana Fish audience. Numerous subscribers have reported significant difficulties, finding the AI audio automatically forced upon them based on regional or language settings, often obscuring access to the original Japanese audio and subtitle options. This high-profile incident underscores the growing friction within the creative sectors of the anime industry concerning the increasing adoption of AI technology in roles historically requiring human performance and artistic sensitivity.