Behind the Voices: The Filipino Dubbing of Kaiju No. 8


The growing popularity of anime in the Philippines has opened more opportunities for Filipino voice actors to showcase their talents. One of the recent examples of this development is the Filipino dub of the hit anime series Kaiju No. 8, which brings the intense action and emotional storytelling of the series closer to local audiences.

Released in November 2024, the Filipino-dubbed version was produced by the studio and made available on YouTube. The project demonstrates how the local dubbing industry continues to evolve, providing high-quality localized content for Filipino viewers who prefer watching shows in their native language.

Bringing the Characters to Life

The Filipino dub features a talented roster of voice actors who carefully capture the personalities and emotions of the anime’s characters.

Leading the cast is Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, who voices the main protagonist Kafka Hibino. Pocholo Gonzales is widely recognized in the Philippine voice acting community and is often referred to as the “VoiceMaster” for his contributions to the industry. His performance highlights Kafka’s determination, humor, and internal struggle as he balances his human identity with his transformation into a powerful kaiju.

Supporting him is JayJay Delo Santos, who voices Reno Ishikawa in the first season, portraying the character’s strong sense of loyalty and determination. Meanwhile, the role of Mina Ashiro the skilled commander admired by many characters in the story is voiced by Pinky Rebucas, whose performance captures Mina’s leadership and confidence.

Other notable voice actors include Yvette Tagura  as Kikoru Shinomiya and Mac Edsel Florendo  as Soshiro Hoshina. Each actor contributes their unique vocal style to ensure the characters remain authentic while being understandable for Filipino audiences.

The Art of Filipino Dubbing

Dubbing an anime series is not simply about translating dialogue. It involves careful adaptation to ensure that the emotions, timing, and cultural context remain faithful to the original story.

For Kaiju No. 8, the dubbing process required translators and voice actors to match the intensity of the action scenes while also delivering emotional moments convincingly in Filipino. The script translators worked closely with the production team to ensure that the dialogue sounded natural and relatable without losing the original meaning.

This process also highlights the growing professionalism of the Filipino dubbing industry. With experienced directors, audio engineers, and translators working behind the scenes, the final product reflects a collaborative effort to meet international production standards.

Strengthening the Filipino Voice Acting Industry

Projects like the Filipino dub of Kaiju No. 8 show how the voice acting industry in the Philippines continues to grow. With the increasing demand for localized content from streaming platforms and online media, Filipino voice actors now have more opportunities to bring international stories to life for local audiences.

For viewers, the Filipino dub offers a different way to experience the anime. Hearing the characters speak in Filipino allows audiences to connect more deeply with the story, making the action and emotions feel closer to home.

Ultimately, the success of the Kaiju No. 8 Filipino dub reflects the dedication and talent of local voice actors who work behind the microphone. Through their voices, the world of kaiju battles and heroic determination becomes even more accessible to Filipino fans.


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