Neon Genesis Evangelion Dub Actors React to Netflix's Recasting

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Original Neon Genesis Evangelion Dub Actors React to Netflix's Recasting

By Anthony Gramuglia

Published Mar 23, 2019

When Neon Genesis Evangelion arrives on Netflix, it will feature an entirely new dub cast. But what does the original cast think about this?

It's official: When Netflix releases Neon Genesis Evangelion on June 21st, it will have an all-new cast of voice actors.While it was rumored Netflix may redub the series, confirmation came when Amanda Winn Lee, the original voice actor for Rei Ayanami, released a tweet clarifying the situation.RELATED:Â Neon Genesis Evangelion's Netflix Release Date Announced[EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/amandawinnlee/status/1109279696347291648[/EMBED_TWITTER]Spike, Tiffany and Allison referÂ to Spike Spencer, Tiffany Grant and Allison Keith, who famously portrayed Shinji Ikari, Asuka Langley Sohryu and Misato Katsuragi in the original ADV (anime dubbing company) dub ofÂ Neon Genesis Evangelion, the Manga dub for End of Evangelion andÂ the Funimation dub for Rebuild of Evangelion.Â Funimation recast Rei forÂ itsÂ Rebuild of Evangelion dub, with Brina Palencia voicing the role.However, things became even more complicated. Lee followed up this tweet by continuing:

Lee was not the only dub actress to respond, however. In a Facebook post, Tiffany Grant revealed how she dealt with the knowledge that she would no longer be voicing Asuka. :The truth is that I have known for months that we were all being replaced," she said. "I flew myself out to LA in early December to audition -- for the first time -- for the role of Asuka. It was the most surreal moment of my life."

Grant's post confirms two very important things about the Netflix release: the original dub will not be available for streaming, and that the original actors auditioned for their roles. It is unknown if they were ever considered, despite speculation from both Lee and Grant that they were only humored with an audition.

Neon Genesis Evangelion was first released in America by ADV back in the early days of the anime dubbing industry. The original dub has been out of print for years. While many fans hoped that the Netflix release might restore the original dub, it is unclear if Netflix will make it available. It is highly possible that the ADV dub will not get another official release.

Spike Spencer, Tiffany Grant and Allison Keith remain cast as Shinji, Asuka and Misato in Funimation's Rebuild of Evangelion. The fourth chapter of which is expected to be released in Japan in 2020. Its stateside release remains unknown.

Neon Genesis Evangelion will hit Netflix on June 21.

(via ComicBook.com)