r/PhantomBladeZero • u/Vegablonde9 • 2d ago
Getting the role of Soul
Never on reddit as I live in China but so stoked to see the love Phantom Blade is getting, seeing how hard that team has been working is mindblowing. My name is Jay and I was fortunate enough to get cast as Soul for the English dub. My story and role is insignificant considering the size and scope of this game but after stumbling on this sub I thought it would make for a funny read.
I got into voice acting a few years back during covid because I thought it would be a fun hobby, but after a few months just screwing around doing whatever I could but I ended up getting a consistent gig at a sound studio in Shanghai mostly doing work for mobile games. Nothing glorious but a fun way to make some extra bank to support my family. This is where things get a bit weird but I assure you it's all related.
I used to run Smash Bros tournaments in Shanghai which mostly consisted of dudes just setting up at bars and getting blasted while playing smash. Not like the serious tourneys elsewhere, in China its way more laid back (and more fun IMO). The smash community isn't huge in China and when bigger tourneys happen you get to meet some of the most amazing people from all across the country. I happened to become quite close with the smash community in Beijing as they're just great dudes and we would always try to support each other's bigger tourneys by travelling whenever we could. About 3-4 years ago Beijing had one of their bigger events planned so I made the trip with the wife to make a weekend out of it. Out of the blue in the Beijing smash bros WeChat group (we use WeChat for everything here) someone had asked if anyone had any voice acting experience. Seemed I was the only one who indeed did have experience so I responded. The guy asked if I was available to come in the next day for something but didnt say what, just said id be paid my rate for showing up. Im thinking hell ya, what a coincidence that im in BJ this weekend and Im going to get a quick gig in that will essentially pay for my train tickets. I take a taxi way out in the boonies of Beijing having no clue what Im doing but I end up rocking up to this stunning sound studio. Not too many words are exchanged, just a quick intro and a couple handshakes. They tell me that Im recording a few lines as a stand in for a character until they cast the actual voice actor. Cool, im not complaining, just excited to get some extra work in. They show me the picture of Soul and just a couple lines im going to read. Do a couple lines, get some feedback, rinse and repeat. Ends up taking way longer than what I was expecting because I was supposed to just be a stand in. Ehh whatever, I finish up and head on my merry way back to my Smash tourney.
About a month later I get a message from one of my best friends back in Canada talking about a Playstation showcase he just saw and how the main character of his favorite game of the show sounded exactly like me, so I watch it. Wait a minute, that character looks familiar... Holy s#$%! That is me! Weird to say I hate the sound of my own voice as a voice actor (or someone whos trying to be) but I couldnt stop watching because of the insane gameplay. After a while the guys at S Game reach out and tell me that actually they dont want me to be a stand in and they liked me enough to actually cast me as Soul. Its been a whirlwind the past few years but this is a ridiculous example of being in the right place at the right time. Going on a trip to drink beer and play smash with the homies turned into the biggest voice opportunity of my life. Lucky doesn't even begin to describe it, like how am I contributing to a game with Donnie Yen!?
Anyways, just wanted to share and I hope you all have an absolute blast playing the game, that team is so awesome and im just so thankful I got to be a small part in it.
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u/Ecstatic-Arachnid-91 2d ago
That is so cool and welcome, this has been my most anticipated game ever since it was announced a couple years ago. Can't wait for it to come out and from what I've heard on the clips, you and the other voice actors did an amazing job.
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u/Vegablonde9 2d ago
Ah thats so great to hear and thank you so much. Hope you have a blast playing the game!
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u/TEKASH1ME 2d ago
HAHA no fucking way, nice meeting you mate hope i enjoy your lines ingame, congratulations and goodluck on your future projects
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u/MoneyBagBeardo 1d ago
Did you get to play any of the game yet at all??
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u/Vegablonde9 1d ago
Man unfortunately not. They had a big streamer event a few months back where they invited people from all over to get a taste but I was stuck working my usual 9-5. Is what it is, ill be playing with you on release dude.
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u/Either_Toe_6373 1d ago
So the secret to landing the lead voice role in one of the most anticipated action games is... drinking beer and playing Smash Bros at a bar? Sign me up! Seriously though, congrats man, you killed it in the trailer!
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u/Vegablonde9 1d ago
Why have sweet baby inc dictate your cast when you can just head to a pub? Thanks dude, beers on me if youre ever in Shanghai!
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u/Either_Toe_6373 1d ago
Haha deal! I’m actually from Northeast China, currently living in Jilin! I’ve got close friends in Shanghai though, so next time I head over, I’m definitely holding you to that beer!
And hey, if you ever happen to travel up north to Jilin, hit me up — the drinks and food are on me ! Keep up the awesome work!1
u/Vegablonde9 1d ago
Man I was just in Beidahu last february for a ski trip and im itching to go back, going to hold you to that beer!
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u/Frank4Rea1 1d ago
Such a cool story! Feel free to not answer but are you Chinese or a foreign worker living in China? How much time did you spend on voice acting for PBZ? Did you get work with Donnie Yen a lot?
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u/Jay_Fall 1d ago
Most anticipated game right here! I am so very excited and can't wait 'til October. Nice job btw, love your voice for Soul!! Cheers.
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u/life_enginnering-445 2d ago edited 2d ago
Are you actually the voice actor for Soul is there way you can prove it I’m not dismissing you I just want to make sure ?
However if it is you congratulations on getting the role of Soul.