Voice acting is the art of bringing animated characters to life through voice. Without the expressive performance of the voice actor, a character would lack emotion and realism. However, the voice acting industry is now witnessing a couple of distinct shifts.
In Japan, voice actors, known as seiyuu, are evolving into multi-talented idols. Beyond their traditional behind-the-scenes roles in recording booths, seiyuu may need to engage in media interactions, host fan events, release music albums and perform live concerts. This expansion into various entertainment sectors has raised seiyuu’s status to that of mainstream celebrities. Some famous examples include Nana Mizuki and Mamoru Miyano. Mizuki has staged many solo music concerts in large venues, while Miyano has extended his performance scope to include stage plays and TV dramas.
In contrast, in the Western film and television industry there’s a growing trend of replacing specialist voice actors with well-known celebrities in anything from major feature films to TV shows. This practice became prominent with actor Robin Williams’s performance as the Genie in Disney’s 1992 animated film Aladdin. His star power and improvisational skills added a new dimension to the character in the movie, setting a trend for future animated films. However, this trend has sparked debate, as some argue it overlooks the specialized skills of professional voice actors.
Photo: Freepik 照片：Freepik提供
These changes reflect the dynamic nature of voice acting. As the industry continues to adapt to new cultural trends and audience preferences, the future role of voice actors remains an open question.
配音是一門透過聲音讓動畫角色栩栩如生的藝術。如果沒有配音員富有表現力的表演，角色就會缺乏情感和真實感。然而，配音行業現在正在經歷一些明顯的變化。
在日本，配音員被稱為聲優，而他們正在發展成多才多藝的偶像。除了在錄音間的傳統幕後角色外，聲優可能會需要參與媒體互動、主持粉絲活動、發行音樂專輯，以及舉辦現場音樂會。這種擴展到各種娛樂領域的情況已經將聲優的地位提升到主流名人的水平。一些著名的例子包括水樹奈奈和宮野真守。水樹奈奈在大型場館舉辦過許多場個人音樂會，而宮野真守則將其表演範圍擴展到包括舞台劇和電視劇在內的領域。
相比之下，在西方影視產業中，從大型劇情片到電視節目的各個領域，以知名名人取代專業配音員的趨勢日益增長。這種做法隨著演員羅賓‧威廉斯在西元1992年的迪士尼動畫電影《阿拉丁》中飾演神燈精靈一角而變得突出。他的明星效應和即興表演技巧為電影這個角色增添了新的層面，引領了未來動畫電影的趨勢。然而，這一趨勢引發了爭議，因為有些人認為它忽視了專業配音員的專業技能。
這些變化反映了配音工作的動態發展性。隨著這個行業繼續適應新的文化趨勢和觀眾喜好，配音員在未來的角色仍然是一道沒有定論的問題。
MORE INFORMATION
voice actor 配音員
animated adj. 動畫的
multi-talented adj. 多才多藝的
feature film 劇情片
improvisational adj. 即興的
KEY VOCABULARY
1. realism n. 真實性；寫實主義；務實
This novel uses realism to tell the story of a poor farmer and his daily struggles.
這本小說運用寫實主義講述了一名貧困的農民和他日常奮鬥的故事。
2. idol n. 偶像
Tammy has been a loyal fan of her favorite K-pop idol for years.
塔米多年來一直是她最喜愛的韓流偶像的忠實粉絲。
3. booth n. 亭子；展場攤位；布棚
Before the invention of cellphones, people used telephone booths for private conversations in public.
在手機發明之前，人們在公共場合使用電話亭進行私人通話。
4. expansion n. 擴展；擴張
Following its success in the capital, the store was set for an expansion into other cities.
在首都取得成功後，這家商店計劃到其他城市展店。
5. entertainment n. 娛樂；娛樂活動
Entertainment at the Christmas party was provided by a live band.
這場聖誕派對的娛樂節目是由現場演出的樂團所提供的。
6. mainstream adj. 主流的
The band has been in the underground scene for years but is now gaining mainstream popularity.
該樂團已在地下活動多年，但如今越來越受到主流的歡迎。
7. scope n. 範圍；領域
The scope of this project is enormous; it’s expected to take several years to complete.
這項專案的範圍很大；預計它需要幾年時間才能完成。
8. specialist adj. 專業的；專家的
specialized adj. 專業化的
You should seek specialist advice when dealing with complex legal or medical matters.
在處理複雜的法律或醫療問題時，您應該尋求專家建議。
9. dimension n. 層面；維度；空間
The unexpected plot twist added an extra dimension to the movie’s storyline.
意想不到的情節轉折為電影的故事情節增添了額外的層面。
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