Justin Briner
Justin Briner (born August 23, 1991)[1][2] is an American voice actor and singer. He has provided voices for English-language versions of Japanese anime films and television series with Funimation. He is best known for his roles as Mikaela Hyakuya in Seraph of the End, Maki Katsuragi in Stars Align, Qwenthur Barbotage in Heavy Object, Izuku "Deku" Midoriya in My Hero Academia, Alfonso San Valiante in Garo: The Animation, Kensuke Hanasaki in Trickster, Ichi in the game Cibele, Sho Kusakabe from Fire Force and Hanako-kun from Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun.
Justin Briner | |
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Briner at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2020 | |
Born | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | August 23, 1991
Alma mater | University of North Texas |
Occupation | Voice actor, singer |
Years active | 2012–present |
Biography
Briner was born and raised in Maryland.[3] He attended the University of North Texas and studied theater prior to finding voice acting work.[4] In 2015, he starred as the voice of Mikaela Hyakuya, one of the two main teenage orphans who turns into a vampire in the anime series Seraph of the End, which was released through Funimation's broadcast dub service.[5] He voiced Elam, a boy who serves Arslan's main party member Narsus, in The Heroic Legend of Arslan.[6] He voiced main protagonist Qwenthur Barbotage in the mech-themed anime show Heavy Object. A reviewer wrote on Anime UK News that she was impressed with the quality of the dub and that Briner and fellow voice actor Micah Solusod "have a lot to do with how instantly likably the characters come across, which helps carry the whole show".[7]
In video games, Briner voiced Ichi, the love interest of the main character, in Cibele, an indie video game about developing an online relationship. Cibele won a Nuovo Award at 2016 Independent Games Festival,[8][9] and made Briner's name known in mainstream news.[9][10]
In My Hero Academia, Briner voiced the lead character Izuku Midoriya, a middle school student who was not born with superhero powers but lives in a superhero-based world, and is recruited to enroll in a school for superheroes. Alex Osborn of IGN described his performance as excellent and standout,[11] while Tom Speelman of Polygon noted that he and his Japanese counterpart "nail the optimistic nerdiness and heroic attitude" with Briner "channeling a bit of Morty Smith for good measure".[12] The series has run for four seasons, with Briner and fellow voice actor Christopher Sabat doing panels and interviews at anime conventions including Anime Expo and San Diego Comic-Con regarding their work on the show.[13][14]
Briner has continued to voice lead and main characters in other anime shows. He voiced Alfonso San Valiante the crown prince in the first Garo: The Animation series, which Robert Prentice of Three If By Space described the English cast "a great lineup", in particular highlighting Briner.[15] In 2016, voiced Lance in the anime adaptation of Puzzle & Dragons X,[16] and Nasu no Yoichi in the alternate history anime Drifters.[17] In the prison comedy Nanbaka, his vocal performance was described as "more awestruck and childlike" than that of the original Japanese counterpart.[18] Anne Laurenroth of Anime News Network found Briner's portrayal of Kensuke Hanasaki in Trickster helped prevent his pre-backstory character from getting overly annoying.[19] Briner has also been involved in the production side as the head writer on the ADR script for Rio: Rainbow Gate.[20]
In 2017, he voiced lead characters Haruki Mishima in Convenience Store Boy Friends, Tazuna Takatsuki in Hand Shakers, and Ernesti "Eru" Echavalier in Knight's & Magic.[21][22] In the same year, he landed the lead role of Justice "Seigi" Akatsuka in Taboo Tattoo.[23][24]
Filmography
Anime
Films
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic | Edward Midford | [91] | |
2018 | My Hero Academia: Two Heroes | Izuku Midoriya | [92] | |
2020 | My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising | Izuku Midoriya | [93] |
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Dust: An Elysian Tail | Moska | [94] | |
2014 | DreadOut | Yayan | [95] | |
2015 | Cibele | Ichi[lower-alpha 1] | [9][10][96][97] | |
2017 | Akiba's Beat | Taro Megane | [98][99] | |
2018 | Dragon Ball FighterZ | Announcer | ||
2019 | Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 | Uub/Majuub | English dub | Ultra Pack 2 |
2019 | Borderlands 3 | Dalton, Edgren, Failurebot, Thunk | ||
2020 | Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot | World Martial Arts Tournament Announcer | Hub World Only | [100] |
Notes
- In the video game Cibele, Briner provides the voices for Ichi / Blake, while the online pictures and videos are of creator Nina Freeman's boyfriend and developer Emmett Butler.[9]
References
- "Happy Birthday to Justin Briner, the next guest to be announced! - SenshiCon". August 23, 2019. SenshiCon.org. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Justin Briner". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "My Hero Academia Cast Announcement". Funimation Blog. April 27, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- "Alex Moore and Justin Briner Interview – A-Kon 27". player.fm. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- "Funimation Announces Seraph of the End English Dub Cast". Anime News Network. May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
- Briner, Justin [@justinbriner] (June 21, 2015). "Happy to confirm that I am Elam in #Arslan, available to watch now at funimation.com! Go watch with your dad! pic.twitter.com/p8PjASR3UF" (Tweet). Retrieved December 6, 2019 – via Twitter.
- IncendiaryLemon (March 20, 2017). "Heavy Object Part 1 Review". animeuknews.net. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
I was very impressed with the quality of the dub. Led by Justin Briner (My Hero Academia, The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Drifters) and Micah Solusod (Brother's Conflict, Blood Blockade Battlefront, Soul Eater) as Qwenthur and Havia respectively, I think the two have a lot to do with how instantly likably the characters come across, which helps carry the whole show.
- "Her Story wins top honors at 18th annual IGF Awards". Entertainment Weekly. March 17, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Byrd, Christopher (November 20, 2015). "'Cibele:' Love in a time of video games and surveillance". Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Stuart, Keith (November 16, 2015). "Meet Nina Freeman, the punk poet of gaming". The Guardian. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Alex Osborn reviews on IGN:
- Osborn, Alex (June 30, 2016). "My Hero Academia: Season 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
Justin Briner does an excellent job as the character in the English dub.
- Osborn, Alex (October 9, 2017). "My Hero Academia Season 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
The voice acting is also quite solid. While I'm partial to watching the series in Japanese with subtitles, the English dub is also very good, with standout performances from Justin Briner and Christopher Sabat as Deku and All Might, respectively.
- Osborn, Alex (June 30, 2016). "My Hero Academia: Season 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Speelman, Tom (June 5, 2017). "My Hero Academia: superhero fun without decades of backstory". Pplygon. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
Both the Japanese and English casts know exactly how to make these roles work. As Izuku, Daiki Yamashita and Justin Briner both nail the optimistic nerdiness and heroic attitude (with Briner channeling a little of Morty Smith for good measure).
- Chapman, Jacob (July 27, 2016). "Interview: The Cast and Crew of My Hero Academia". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Prentice, Robert (July 19, 2017). "Funimation Lineup For San Diego Comic Con 2017". Three If By Space. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- Prentice, Robert (May 14, 2016). "Review: Garo - The Animation Season 1 Part 1". Three If By Space. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- Smith, Dennis. "Puzzle & Dragons X Part One (a J!-ENT Anime on Blu-ray Disc Review)". J!-Ent. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- Beckett, James (October 14, 2016). "Drifters ‒ Episodes 1-2". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
Overall, Josh Grelle, Robert McCollum, and Justin Briner did a solid job as Shimazu, Nobunaga, and Yoichi respectively.
- Bridges, Rose (October 19, 2016). "Nanbaka ‒ Episodes 1-3". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- "Trickster ‒ Episodes 1-3". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- "Media Blasters Previews "Rio: Rainbow Gate" English Dub & More". crunchyroll.com. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- "Funimation Announces Simuldub Casts for A Centaur's Life, Hina Logic, Gamers!, Convenience Store Boy Friends". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- "Funimation Reveals English Dub Cast For Hand Shakers Anime". Anime News Network. January 28, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- "Summer 2017 SimulDubs on FunimationNow!". Funimation. July 13, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- "December 2017 Home Video Releases". Funimation. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- "The Wind Clan". Yona of the Dawn. Episode 4. 2015. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- "So That Means We're in a Love Triangle!". D-Frag!. Episode 6. 2015. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- Bevins, Christopher [@VoiceofBevins] (August 26, 2015). "GANGSTA 3 cast! Wallace (young Worick): Justin Briner" (Tweet). Retrieved November 14, 2017 – via Twitter.
- "Ever Felt Cheated". Ninja Slayer From Animation. Episode 18. 2015. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- "Chase in Akihabara". Ultimate Otaku Teacher. Episode 3. 2015. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- "Austin Tindle, Ricco Fajardo, Natalie Hoover Star in Prince of Stride English Broadcast Dub". animenewsnetwork.com. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- "Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash – English Voice Cast Announcement!". Funimation. February 10, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- "The Island That Fell into Nothingness". Dimension W. Episode 8. 2016. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- "Handa-kun and the Continuation of Episode 1". Handa-kun. Episode 2. 2016. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- "Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School Broadcast Dub Cast Announcement". Funimation.com. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
- Glass, Caitlin [@caitlinsvoice] (November 2, 2016). "New cast for ep 1: Arashi-Justin Briner Rin-Janelle Lutz Oboro-Oscar Seung Kamui-Jeremy Inman Victorious- Elizabeth Maxwell #SB69Apic.twitter.com/wXp0wvdXy5" (Tweet). Retrieved November 14, 2017 – via Twitter.
- "Funimation Reveals Chaos Dragon Anime's English Dub Cast". Anime News Network. September 30, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- "Fall 2016 SimulDub™ English Cast Announcements – For The Love of Dubs - Funimation – Blog!". www.funimation.com. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
- "The Human Chair, Part 1". Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace. Episode 1. 2016. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- Briner, Justin [@justinbriner] (December 29, 2016). "Privileged to have joined a few more casts since the start of #SimulDub season! #YuriOnIce - Emil" (Tweet). Retrieved November 14, 2017 – via Twitter.
- "Funimation Reveals English Dub Cast for All Out!! Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- "Let's Go Breakers!". Cheer Boys!!. Episode 5. 2016. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- "Inextinguishable Flame". Divine Gate. Episode 2. 2016. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- Funimation [@FUNimation] (August 12, 2016). "#Hetalia fans, we got you! Say cheerio to some new voices--@executivegoth @ccarrollbeard & more! #Otakon2016pic.twitter.com/FnrUnuKwWS" (Tweet). Retrieved November 14, 2017 – via Twitter.
- "Funimation Reveals English Dub Cast for Nanbaka Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Beverdige, Chris (November 23, 2016). "Crunchyroll Confirms Simulcast For Second 'Nanbaka' Anime Season". Fandom Post. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- "Funimation Reveals English Dub Cast for Kiss Him, Not Me Anime". Anime News Network. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Yu, Apphia [@soymilkpudding] (December 28, 2016). "And introducing @marchimark as Kusuko and @justinbriner as Sawakita. #SaikiK" (Tweet). Retrieved November 15, 2017 – via Twitter.
- "Funimation Reveals Dub Casts for Show By Rock!! 2, Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru, Trickster". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- "Funimation Announces Masamune-kun's Revenge Anime's English Dub Cast". Anime News Network. February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- "Official Winter 2017 SimulDub Lineup". Funimation Blog. January 3, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- "Funimation Reveals English Dub Cast for Chain Chronicle Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- @brandon_jc12 (March 7, 2017). "As I rewatched ep.6 of Dragon Ball Super,I realized that Kid Vegeta was voiced by @justinbriner .Way to go on channeling your inner Saiyan!" (Tweet). Retweeted by Liked by Christopher Sabat. Retrieved September 10, 2018 – via Twitter.
- "Last week, we met new additions to the 2nd & 11th Universes. NOW take a look at who's joining the cast for the 3rd & 4th Universes this Saturday in the latest dub episode of #DBSuper on #Toonami! Saturday, 10:30p ETpic.twitter.com/c7PAcd1Wwp". September 21, 2018.
- "English Cast Announcements – Spring SimulDubs 2017". Funimation. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- "Funimation Announces English Dub Casts for Space Patrol Luluco, Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars Anime". Anime News Network. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- "Funimation Reveals Classroom of the Elite Anime's English Dub Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- "Funimation Announces English Dub Casts for Code:Realize, Urahara, Dies Irae". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- "Funimation Reveals Garo: Crimson Moon English Dub Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- "Howling Echoes from the Kingdom of the Past". Gosick. Episode 8. 2017. Event occurs at Closing credits.
- "Star Blazers English cast list". www.funimation.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- "FunimationNow Fall 2017 SimulDubs & English Casts". Funimation Blog. September 1, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- "Funimation Announces English Casts for Saiyuki Reload Blast, Knight's & Magic, My First Girlfriend Is A Gal". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- "Tattoo". Taboo Tattoo. Episode 1. 2017.
- "Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card English Cast & Crew". www.funimation.com. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- "Hakyu Hoshin Engi Anime's English Dub Cast Revealed". Anime News Network. January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- "Pop Team Epic English Cast & Crew". www.funimation.com. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- "Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody English Cast & Crew". Funimation. January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- "Garo: Vanishing Line English Cast & Crew". www.funimation.com. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- "DARLING in the FRANXX". Funimation. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
- "Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens English Cast & Crew". funimation. January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- https://www.funimation.com/shows/junji-ito-collection/
- https://www.funimation.com/shows/kakuriyo-bed-breakfast-for-spirits-/
- "Dances with the Dragons". Funimation. April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- "Our Summer 2018 SimulDub lineup is just for you!". Funimation. June 21, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- "Summer Simuldub Lineup Lists". Funimation. June 21, 2018.
- "So happy to join the cast of #DoubleDecker as the stylish man-at-arms, and maybe my favorite character name of all time, Dr. Apple Bieber. Emphasis on the DOCTOR. Check out the whole series so far here". October 15, 2018.
- https://www.funimation.com/blog/2018/10/03/fall-2018-simuldub-lineup/
- https://www.funimation.com/blog/2018/10/03/fall-2018-simuldub-lineup/#more-22396
- https://www.funimation.com/forum/topic/17693/master-thread-meiji-tokyo-renka/2
- Funimation. "[Master Thread] YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of This World (Dubbed)". www.funimation.com. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- Funimation. "[Master Thread] Sarazanmai (Dubbed)". www.funimation.com. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- Kyle Phillips [@KylePhillipsFUN] (June 24, 2019). "#FairyTail #SimulDub ep 311 is up! We learn more about @ToddHaberkorn's past. Sting arrives to help against Larcade, but things take a turn for the... hungry. Sadly, @AtYes2Ats had to take this episode off, but Bustin McBriner stepped in temporarily" (Tweet). Retrieved June 25, 2019 – via Twitter.
- Chapin, Clifford (July 7, 2019). "#TheOnesWithin ep01 is out on @Funimation!
Akatsuki - @justinbriner
Paka - @benaphil
Karin - @Grandpa_Trout
Anya - @TMullenixVO
Kaikoku - @TheManAaron
Himiko - @Katelove
Makino - @MarkAllenJr
Yuzu - @MarissaLenti
Zakuro - @That_Fu
Director - Me
Engineer - @GetAtAragon". @CliffordChapin. Retrieved July 8, 2019. - "[Master Thread] Dr. STONE (Dubbed)". Funimation. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
- Funimation. "[Master Thread] Stars Align (Dubbed)". www.funimation.com. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- Funimation. "[Master Thread] Case File nº221: Kabukicho (Dubbed)". www.funimation.com. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- Funimation. "[Master Thread] Ensemble Stars (English dub)". www.funimation.com. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- https://www.funimation.com/forum/topic/18649/master-thread-fire-force
- "[Master Thread] Toilet-bound Hanako-kun (Dubbed)". Funimation. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- "Listeners Anime Reveals English Dub Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- Films, Funimation. "Black Butler: Book Of The Atlantic - Funimation Films". www.funimationfilms.com. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Films, Funimation. "My Hero Academia: Two Heroes - Funimation Films". www.funimationfilms.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- Films, Funimation. "My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising - Funimation Films". www.funimationfilms.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "Justin Briner". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- "Dread Out". Sound Cadence Studios. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Cross, Katherine (November 9, 2015). "How Cibele taught me to love existential sex crises". Gamasutra. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- Freeman, Nina. "Cibele: Press Kit". Nina Says So (Nina Freeman official website) (Press release). Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- "Akiba's Beat has dual audio in North America, Pinkun pocket plushie pre-order bonus - Gematsu". gematsu.com. October 17, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- Games, XSEED (November 18, 2016). "XSEED Games". XSEED Games. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- "Dragon Ball Z kakrot End And Credits". Retrieved January 25, 2020 – via www.youtube.com.
External links
- Justin Briner on Twitter
- Justin Briner convention appearances on AnimeCons.com
- Justin Briner at Anime News Network's encyclopedia