Kaiji Tang may be known for playing several memorable anime characters in his career but there was one important role that he almost missed out on. The Jujutsu Kaisen star revealed that he almost didn't get to play Osamu Dazai in the Bungo Stray Dogs English dub!
Tang recently spoke to Anime Corner where he discussed working on Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2. In addition to that, the Berserk voice actor shared how he almost didn't get to play Dazai in Bungo Stray Dogs because he was on his honeymoon.
"Oh man, I almost lost Dazai before I even started," Tang said. "I was on my honeymoon out of the country when I got the email that I had booked Bungo. The problem was they were trying to book me the following week. I wasn’t even going to be back in the country until the end of the month. At that point, I had given up on it because I wasn’t going to come back early from my honeymoon. Fortunately, the studio found a way to do a bunch of my stuff immediately the second I got off that plane and it ended up working out! Phew."
Luckily, everything worked out for Tang and he would go on to play Dazai in the anime based on Kafka Asagiri's manga. Needless to say, his performance as the detective proved to be truly memorable.
Who is Osamu Dazai?
Osamu Dazai is a member of the Armed Detective Agency and a former executive of the underworld organization, the Port Mafia, possesses the Ability named No Longer Human. The unique Ability enables Dazai to nullify others' abilities upon physical contact. Notably, his Ability is continuously active and requires only skin contact to take effect, allowing him to nullify any ability that touches him, even when restrained.
Tang's portrayal of Dazai has been praised for capturing the nuances of the character's personality and the complexities of his role within the series. As a versatile voice actor, Tang has also gained recognition for his portrayal of Satoru Gojo in the English dub of Jujutsu Kaisen. The comparison between Dazai and Gojo, two distinct characters with their own set of challenges and traits, showcases Tang's ability to bring depth and authenticity to his performances.
"I think people like how these two can be so incredibly potent and at the same time just two of the biggest dorks you’ve ever met," he said. "They are incredibly silly men. There are a lot of good nuanced reasons these characters use humor in this way and as an actor, I think that’s the thing I like best about them."
The acknowledgment of Tang's enjoyment in playing both Dazai and Gojo reflects his passion for delivering engaging and compelling performances. As the English dub of Bungo Stray Dogs continues to captivate audiences, Tang's contribution to the portrayal of Dazai contributes to the overall success and popularity of the series. His versatility and talent as a voice actor contribute to the immersive experience for English-speaking viewers, highlighting the significance of skilled voice actors in enhancing the storytelling of anime.
Jujutsu Kaisen is currently on its second season which adapts the manga's Shibuya Incident arc. The fifth season of Bungo Stray Dogs concluded in September and is expected to get another season.
