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The 'AI beta' is no more
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(Image credit: MAPPA)
Amazon has seemingly removed an English dub from the anime series Banana Fish that appeared to utilize AI voice actors.
The controversy erupted over the past few days on social media, with viewers spotting that the 'Audio Languages' option listed an 'English [AI beta]' selection.
The video showcasing the AI 'talents' – which you can see below – spread like wildfire and led to a massive backlash from audiences and industry figures.
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Amazon has started using AI to add English Dubs to anime like BANANA FISH. It’s really quite terrible and shows how important real actors are. pic.twitter.com/POgy4oIq1pNovember 29, 2025
Now, Amazon has moved quickly to remove the AI offering – with no English language option being available as of December 1.
One commenter summarized the mood, writing on Twitter, "Good riddance, glad a precedent was set for large companies that AI dubs are ridiculously unpopular & should be avoided."
The Banana Fish reaction comes off the back of a string of AI discourse and controversies, though not all were as they first appeared.
Sekiro: No Defeat was the focus of complaints about AI art, but anime streamer Crunchyroll later responded with a statement declaring that the 2026 series will be "a fully hand-drawn 2D animation."
Sign up for the Total Film NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Crunchyroll has also confirmed it won't use AI in the "creative process", including voice actors.
"We consider them to be creators because they are contributing to the story and plot with their voice," Crunchyroll CEO Shams Purini said in an interview with Forbes.
Despite AI worries, anime fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming months, including Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 2 and Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 in January.
For more, head to our guide on new anime, plus our picks for the best anime you should be watching right now.
CATEGORIES Amazon Prime Video Streaming Services
Bradley RussellSocial Links NavigationI'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.
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Japanese government officials say manga and anime are "irreplaceable treasures," ask OpenAI to prevent copyright infringement, and insist Japan should "take the lead" in regulating AI
After Arc Raiders AI voice actor controversy, owner Nexon says people should just assume "every game company is now using AI"
Japanese content trade group whose membership includes Studio Ghibli calls for its work to stop being used to train AI without permission
KPop Demon Hunters songwriter and Rumi singing voice EJAE confirms she used no AI to write the Netflix film's songs, and says Huntr/x AI comparisons are "hurtful"
Arc Raiders devs "don’t use generative AI," CCO says AI text-to-speech is used to help "make rich worlds" while keeping the studio small but "there's no end goal in replacing any actors"
Most gamers aren't actually bothered by gen AI in games, says former Square Enix exec: "Many studios I know" are relying on it, and art or voices like Arc Raiders' are "the tip of the spear"
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