HoYoverse has once again become a focal point in the ongoing turbulence within the English voice acting industry. In the latest Version 1.7 update of Zenless Zone Zero, the English voice roles of Grace, Rina, and Koleda have been recast to new actors.
The original performers, Chelsea Kwoka, Crystal Lee (openly LGBT activist), and Katie Cofield (also LGBT) will not be returning. This development aligns with an increasingly common trend of abrupt cast changes in English dubs, associated with union-related demands for monopolistic practices resulting in voice actors deliberately refusing to reprise their roles and are subsequently replaced.
Although no official explanation has been given for their sudden exits, the situation mirrors previous instances in Zenless Zone Zero, such as with Kinich, Lycaon, and Soldier 11, where voice actors simply declined to return in order to coerce miHoYo into signing an agreement with SAG-AFTRA.
A recurring theme in these cases is that the actors are either SAG-AFTRA members or closely aligned with the union. Many have chosen to strike under the pretext of opposing “AI-generated voices,” seemingly in an attempt to pressure HoYoverse into formalizing a contract with the union.
This union-driven strategy became particularly evident when activist VA John Patneaude (they/them) declined to reprise the role of Kinich. As a result, HoYoverse recast the role with Jacob Takanashi, a Japan-based actor and clear outsider to the SAG-AFTRA circle.
Following this, a wave of open hostility emerged from fellow English voice actors. Notably, Kayli Mills, known for voicing Keqing in Genshin Impact criticized Jacob’s casting as “diabolical” and even implied he should have accepted the role without credit, a move that would hinder his future career prospects.
Corina Boettger, known as the voice of Paimon, the mascot character for miHoYo’s Genshin Impact and one of the most vocal supporters of SAG-AFTRA, condemned the recasting, stating it was “not a passing of the torch,” and portraying the decision as a betrayal. Others followed suit, targeting Jacob Takanashi simply for operating outside of union affiliations, accusing him of “scabbing.”
The irony? Internal SAG-AFTRA materials explicitly label “Financial Core” members—those who continue working while stepping outside union control as “scabs” and “anti-union.” This suggests the issue is less about protecting against AI voices and more about consolidating power and control over the industry.
The backlash against Takanashi escalated into targeted harassment. Voice actors like Ben Callins and Shara Kirby (Candace in Genshin Impact) made veiled comments implying that Takanashi’s career prospects would suffer.
Such behavior underscores a troubling entitlement among certain Western voice actors, particularly those aligned with activist circles. Many conflate their personal identity with the characters they voice, despite being contracted talent with zero ownership over a character’s identity and yet they act as if the characters popularity and franchise success are attributed to themselves.
The sense of entitlement among some voice actors is further reflected in the wider implications of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Though publicly presented as a stand against AI threatening jobs, the underlying push for a union monopoly hints at a broader goal: controlling the English dubbing space for foreign media, including titles like HoYoverse’s games.
SAG-AFTRA’s own materials explicitly advise members to audition for non-union roles and then pressure producers into unionizing the project. This approach might appear to protect union actors on the outside, but its real purpose is to significantly restrict opportunities for non-union talent.
Nowhere else but in the Western voice acting industry do you see this level of entitlement. Unlike Japan and other regions where voice actors are respected professionals hired for their skill, the Western scene has devolved into an ideological battlefield, dominated by self-righteous gatekeepers who champion union loyalty over talent.
One glaring example is Sena Bryer, whose underwhelming portrayal of the hated character of Wuk Lamat in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail has only reinforced growing skepticism toward the crop of low ranking English voice actors from activist circles. Meanwhile, dissenters like Vic Mignogna and Reuben Langdon have been ostracized or blacklisted entirely, their careers assassinated for refusing to conform to the prevailing political orthodoxy.
For example, questioning why governments aggressively promoted experimental vaccines for a virus with a 99% survival rate, vaccines that have since been associated with numerous deaths and long-term health issues like myocarditis. What was once a field driven by storytelling and passion is now populated by individuals who treat voice acting as a megaphone for activism.
Backed by SAG-AFTRA, this new wave seeks to control who gets work under the guise of “AI job protection” but in truth, it’s a thinly veiled power grab. The recasting of Grace, Rina, and Koleda in Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.7 is just the latest chapter. The original actresses, Chelsea Kwoka, Crystal Lee, and Katie Cofield appear to have walked away and gone on strike, likely in alignment with SAG-AFTRA.
In response, the talent agencies contracted by HoYoverse have moved forward with procuring new talent willing to actually do the job, highlighting the mismatch between Western VA demands and the global nature of modern game development.
As a result, the talent agencies contracted by HoYoverse have proceeded with sourcing new voice actors who are willing to fulfill the roles, underscoring the growing misalignment between the demands of Western voice actors and the increasingly globalized scope of contemporary game development, especially for live service games.
At the time of writing, the new voice actors haven’t been officially revealed and neither Chelsea, Crystal or Katie have openly made announcements on social media defending their actions. But it’s only a matter of time before the usual suspects online begin harassing them for simply accepting a job they themselves refused to do, just like they did with Jacob Takanashi.
This situation reflects an industry that’s shifting away from merit and passion, making room only for those willing to put politics before professionalism. Refusing paid work in an attempt to coerce HoYoverse into union exclusivity doesn’t fly in any business. Every employer would be more than happy to replace workers who simply ghost them on the spot, and that’s exactly what HoYoverse is doing.
As the standoff drags on, players can expect more recasts as HoYoverse focuses on maintaining stability over yielding to ideological pressures. The company, like any other, has updates to roll out for its live-service titles, fans to satisfy, and a bottom line to maintain without the luxury of indulging actors who feel entitled to special treatment simply for showing up.
