You're running through New Eridu, looking for a commission, and suddenly it hits you. Soldier 11 sounds... off. Or maybe you're a Von Lycaon main and noticed the sophisticated wolf-man isn't hitting those same low notes anymore. It’s not just you. The world of Zenless Zone Zero voice actors english has been a bit of a rollercoaster since the game launched.
While most HoYoverse fans are used to hearing the same voices for years—looking at you, Paimon—ZZZ has seen some high-profile shakeups. Some were planned. Others were the result of massive industry shifts that left the community reeling. Basically, if you haven’t checked the cast list in a few months, you’re probably listening to a different person than you think.
The Big Recast: What Happened to Lycaon and Soldier 11?
Let’s address the elephant—or rather, the wolf—in the room. In early 2025, during the Version 1.6 update, players noticed something massive in the patch notes. The English voices for Von Lycaon and Soldier 11 were completely replaced.
It wasn't a "scheduling conflict" or a "creative difference." It was about AI and worker rights.
The original actors, Nicholas Thurkettle (Lycaon) and Emeri Chase (Soldier 11), were replaced after they chose to stand in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA video game strike. Even though ZZZ itself wasn't a "struck" project (because work began before the strike), the actors wanted ironclad protections against their voices being used to train AI models.
Thurkettle, who isn't even a union member, took a personal stand. He called AI an "existential threat" to the craft. He didn't even know he was replaced until the update went live. Sorta brutal, right?
The new voices taking over these iconic roles are:
- Von Lycaon: Will de Renzy-Martin
- Soldier 11: (Information on the specific replacement for the OBOL squad leader is still being finalized in the latest credits, though players have noted the shift in tone).
The Core English Cast: Who’s Still Bringing the Heat?
Despite the drama, the rest of the Zenless Zone Zero voice actors english lineup is stacked with talent you've definitely heard before. If you play Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, New Eridu feels like a high school reunion.
The Cunning Hares (Gentle House)
This is your "starter" crew, and honestly, they have some of the most consistent and punchy delivery in the game.
- Billy Kid: Clifford Chapin. You know him as Bakugo from My Hero Academia. He brings that same chaotic energy to our favorite cyborg, but with a bit more "Starlight Knight" nerdiness.
- Anby Demara: Sam Slade. If she sounds familiar, it’s because she also voices Topaz in Honkai: Star Rail. She nails that deadpan, burger-obsessed vibe perfectly.
- Nicole Demara: Nadia Marshall. She manages to make the "greedy but secretly caring" leader trope actually likable.
- Nekomiya Mana (Nekomata): Alice Himora. She captures that "trickster cat" energy without being annoying, which is a hard line to walk.
Victoria Housekeeping Co.
Aside from the Lycaon change, this faction remains a fan favorite for its distinct personalities.
- Ellen Joe: Giselle Fernandez. The "bored shark girl" has become a literal icon of the game, and Fernandez’s "I’d rather be anywhere else" delivery is a huge part of that.
- Corin Wickes: Chloe Eves. The stuttering, anxious chainsaw-wielder is voiced with a level of vulnerability that makes you just want to give her a hug.
- Alexandrina "Rina" Sebastiane: Originally listed as TBA in early promos, Morgan Lauré has brought a refined, ghostly elegance to the head maid.
Why 2026 is a Weird Time for ZZZ Voiceovers
If you're playing through the 2.4 story content right now, you might have noticed some silences. HoYoverse recently confirmed that some characters, like Ye Shunguang and Dialyn, are actually missing voice lines in the English, Japanese, and Korean dubs.
They even gave out 100 Polychromes as an apology.
It’s a weird vibe. You’re in the middle of a high-stakes cutscene, and suddenly it’s like a silent film. Most people assume this is a lingering ripple effect of the recording delays and contract disputes that hit the industry hard. It’s not a bug; it’s just a "we haven't recorded this yet" situation.
The Full English Voice Actor List (By Faction)
Since the game doesn't always make it easy to find who is who, here is a quick rundown of the main agents you’ll be pulling for.
Belobog Heavy Industries
- Koleda Belobog: Katie Cofield
- Anton Ivanov: Alejandro Saab (He’s everywhere—Cyno in Genshin, Jing Yuan in Star Rail)
- Ben Bigger: Henry Schrader (The bear who does math!)
- Grace Howard: Megan Shipman
Section 6 & Public Security
- Zhu Yuan: Alaina Wis
- Qingyi: Kira Buckland (The voice of 2B in NieR: Automata)
- Seth Lowell: Nazeeh Tarsha (Alhaitham fans, rise up)
- Hoshimi Miyabi: Cristina Vee (A legend in the dubbing world)
- Soukaku: Rogin Rashidan
The Proxies (Our Main Characters)
- Wise: Stephen Fu
- Belle: Courtney Steele
Is the Voice Quality Dropping?
There’s been a lot of chatter on Reddit and Discord about whether the quality is holding up. Honestly? It's subjective. Some people hate the new Lycaon; others think the new actor brings a more "butler-like" precision to the role.
The real issue is consistency. When a character you've spent 100 hours with suddenly changes their voice, it breaks the immersion. It’s "uncanny valley" but for your ears. But given the legal landscape of Zenless Zone Zero voice actors english contracts, HoYoverse had to make a choice: delay the content indefinitely or recast. They chose to keep the game moving.
What to Expect Next
Moving forward, expect the cast to stabilize. The "interim agreements" between studios like Sound Cadence (the studio handling ZZZ) and the actors' union are becoming more common. This means we'll likely see fewer surprise recasts and more of the veteran talent we love.
If you’re a lore hunter, keep an eye on the patch notes for "restored voice resources." HoYoverse is slowly patching in the missing lines from the Version 2.4 and 2.5 updates.
Next Steps for Players:
- Check your in-game mail for the 100 Polychrome compensation if you played during the 2.4 voice-line drought.
- If a character sounds "new" to you, check the Gallery or Agent profile in the menu; HoYoverse updates the credits in real-time.
- Support the actors on social media—many of them, like Clifford Chapin and Alejandro Saab, are very active in the community and love seeing fan art of their characters.
New Eridu is a city of change, but at least the burgers at General Chop's still taste the same, even if the person talking about them sounds a little different this month.
Actionable Insight: To hear the latest voice additions or changes without spending Battery, go to the "Archive" in the Random Play office. You can replay story segments and specifically listen for the updated English VOs to see if the new casting fits your personal vibe of the character.
