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

This week, a new trailer for Netflix's Devil May Cry anime revealed the late, legendary Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the video game adaptation. This prompted questions about the use of AI to recreate his voice. However, producer Adi Shankar confirmed on Twitter that Conroy's performance was recorded before his passing in November 2022, clarifying that "no AI was used." Shankar praised Conroy's "amazingly nuanced performance," calling it "both a pleasure and an honor" to work with him.

Conroy, celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman across numerous animated films and TV shows, voices the new character VP Baines in the Devil May Cry anime. His voiceover can be heard at the beginning of the trailer.

Dante's voice actor, Johnny Yong Bosch (who also voiced Nero in the video games), echoed the sentiment, stating, "It was an honor to work alongside Kevin Conroy for the upcoming DMC series. A true legend. Batman: The Animated Series redefined cartoons for me. For those wondering, our recording sessions took place a few years ago—animation takes quite some time to complete."

Conroy's posthumous voice work was previously lauded in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 (July 2024). This new appearance in Devil May Cry offers fans another opportunity to appreciate his talent.

Netflix's synopsis 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.”

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

South Korean studio Mir (The Legend of Korra, X-Men ‘97) serves as the main production studio. Devil May Cry premieres on Netflix April 3, 2025.

The use of generative AI remains a hotly debated topic in video games and entertainment, industries recently impacted by significant layoffs. AI's ethical implications, rights concerns, and struggles to produce consistently enjoyable content have drawn considerable criticism from fans and creators alike.