Back in 1999, an anime series by the name ofDigimon: Digital Monstersteamed up everyday kids with otherworldly creatures that evolved into ever more powerful states. Surprising no one,Digimonbecame a huge success the world over thanks to its adventurous storytelling, focus on character relationships, and incredible cast of characters. Bringing those characters to life is an all-star cast, fronted by voice-actorJoshua Seth.
With the arrival ofDigimon Adventure tri.: Reunionon Blu-ray this May 16th thanks to Shout! Factory, I had a chance to chat with Seth about his long history withDigimonand what it meant to him. The new adventure, just one installment in a six-part series from Toei Animation, is getting an English dub and coming to home video for fans to enjoy. And it’s the fans Seth really wants to thank, both for makingDigimonso popular in the first place and for bringing this new story to his attention. We’ll get to that in a moment, but first, let’s take some time to get to know Seth a little bit better.
When I talk to folks in the animation business, I like to start by asking them to think back to their childhood and tell me the first few cartoons that come to mind. Here’s what Seth came up with:
DefinitelyBugs Bunny, Warner Bros. Animation. I thought ofGrape Ape, I think that was Hanna-Barbera. The next one that popped into my head wasUnderdog. I always liked the cartoons that had a bizarre physicality to them. Some of those early Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros., they had, for the time, cutting-edge humor. “Sufferin’ succotash!” And “Exit, Stage Left!” Or they would say ridiculous, made-up phrases and things. LikeDroopy. OrYogi Bear.
Clearly Seth was inspired by some of these beloved cartoon classics, so much so that he broke into various voices impersonating those characters–and more of his own creations–throughout the interview, which was delightful. Seth talked about how a childhood spent enjoying cartoons surprisingly translated into a career acting in them:
I remember when I first moved to Los Angeles and I did an audition for Hanna-Barbera. I didn’t get the gig but it didn’t matter because I felt like I’d already scored just by walking in there and walking those hallowed halls. And then I ended up living right down the street from Warner Bros. Animation, doing a lot of work there. It’s funny how things come full circle; you watch something, in my case, as a kid growing up as a kid in the Midwest and then suddenly you’re in the room where it was recorded and are recording your own new thing. It seems impossible in a way that, in my own room, growing up looking at cows and cornfields, that a few years later I’d be doing the things that I was watching and listening to as a kid.
So how did a kid from the Midwest, who did eight shows a week for off-Broadway productions in Akron, Ohio, end up starring in one of the most beloved anime series of our time?
I liked the look of [Digimon] when I first walked into the casting studio to read for Tai and I saw the drawing of this character. It immediately resonated with me because I felt like he was a projection of an aspect of myself, that youthful, courageous abandon. I instantly knew I wasn’t going to put a voice on, I was just going to do a younger, more reckless and enthusiastic aspect of my own voice and personality. [In Tai’s voice] Really, Tai is me just pitched up and hyped up. [Seth’s normal voice] That’s it.
That was quite unique because usually I’d walk in to do a read and think, “Well what sort of a voice should I do? How should I pitch it? Is there an accent? Is there a funny laugh? Is there some weird vocal tick?” But with Tai, I went, “No, no, no. I got it. I understand Tai.” I knew when I was like 10 years old and racing around the schoolyard trying to make something happen. That was the only time that ever happened. Just me.
Despite getting the opportunity to use his own, slightly modified voice for the lead character, there was no way Seth and the cast could have predictedDigimon’s success:
When we were first voicing it, no, we had no idea it had legs that would stretch out 15 years and beyond, certainly. There was no YouTube, Netflix, Hulu; these types of delivery devices didn’t exist. However, we did know that what we were working on was special, you could feel that. I always treated it that way, like it was special and important. Certainly when we did the original movie back in 2000 and Jeff Nimoy directed that, he and I had many conversations about how we could stay true to the intentions of the Japanese writers but also give it as much passion and honesty as possible.
Back then, for anime, I don’t think that was approached in those early anime. You approached it more like a series that happened to be drawn. That style is more the norm now across all performance art where honesty and authenticity is a desirable way of engaging your audience and expressing your character. Back then, coming out of early animation where everything was all silly stuff, that was not the norm; the norm was to be hyped up, frantic, and silly.
Digimonfans out there, don’t think that your loyalty and vocal support of your favorite shows don’t make a difference. Here’s how Seth found out about the English dub forDigimon Adventure tri: Reunion:
The fans! They kept giving shout-outs to me on Facebook and Twitter, mostly. And even on videos that I have on YouTube, they put it in the comments section. I literally would have had no idea that this was going on. I’m quite sure that the producers wouldn’t have thought to reach out to me because I’d been out of the business for a number of years; I don’t even live in Los Angeles anymore and I just tour with my live show now. It never would have happened if the fans hadn’t kept bringing it to my attention and hammering on everybody to make this reunion, as it were, occur. I have them to thank.
The newDigimonmovie series is a six-parter, but there are no details just yet as to how these might be repackaged for American and English-speaking audiences. Seth stopped short of confirming his involvement in any movies beyondReunion:
I’m not sure how many movies this will end up being or the extent of my involvement, but as long as the fans keep liking my work and the producers ask me to do it, I’ll continue to voice Tai because it’s very special to me and I want to keep hearing him for as long as I can.
Speaking of fans, they’re well aware that it’s been some time betweenDigimonandDigimon Adventure tri.: Reunion.Since Tai and the Digi-destined are now three years older, here’s how Seth views the changes in the character and how his performance changed to match them:
He was more gung-ho and courageous in the original series and the original movie. Now, with the passage of time, he’s gained some wisdom, some insight, and is more introspective and pensive about things. That’s right in the writing and so I incorporated that into my portrayal of him as well, more reluctant and cautious, which is something that happens to all of us, hopefully, as we grow up and mature, we become more aware of the ramifications of our actions and tread more cautiously. Then again, some people never grow up, and there’s good and bad to that.
Here’s what Seth is excited for fans to experience in this new round ofDigimonstories:
The audience is older and more mature, so they’re going to want something that speaks to the fact that they themselves have grown up. And just the fact that this exists! I don’t think this would have existed without the fans’ support, nobody would have followed through on making it. That’s the main thing I’m excited about.
For Tai, I think the way he’s drawn, the look, is really good. I think the tone of it takes it to another level that didn’t exist in the original series. There’s a scene in the gondola with Matt and Tai that indicates this sort of teenage angst and tension between them; it’s really cool how it turned out.
And of course the music; the music is all different, too. I know not everybody likes the new theme song—and it was weird for me at first, too—but I always like to see the creative aspects of a work evolve. The fine line that’s being walked here is to still have a sense of the original character—I keep that in my vocalization of Tai—so it’s still obviously Tai, you have that hit of nostalgia, but the storylines are new, the way he’s drawn, he’s matured, everything about it has changed and evolved.
If you’re looking for more anime recommendations from Seth:
First of all, I always like to give a shout-out toAkirabecause it was one the most amazing projects I’ve ever worked on. Whenever I mention it in a conversation online about voice-acting or animation, I’m shocked to find that most people still have not watched Akira. It’s on Hulu right now! You can watch it for free! I would like people to familiarize themselves with that movie because I think it’s amazing.
Or if you need a deep cut to add to your animation knowledge:
There was a series that I did way early on–I think it was my first series—that nobody’s ever seen. I’ve never seen it. It’s called Honeybee Hutch, and it was really cute. It was for young kids and it was this little honeybee with giant eyes that had these adventures in a garden with a praying mantis or an ant or other little insects and creatures. I thought it was really good, especially for little kids, but I don’t know what ever happened to it. I’d like to see that reemerge in some way. I wouldn’t necessarily redo it, just to find an audience at some point.
And while Seth is very happy doing voice work forDigimon, there’s another animated property he’d love to be a part of:
Curious George. I’ve watched a lot ofCurious Georgejust because I have little kids, and I’m a fan of Frank Welker’s work and, of course, Lara Jill Miller is in that. I can hear myself doing that. My kids are fans. It’d be fun to be involved with that.
Here’s what Seth has coming up outside ofDigimon Adventure tri.: Reunionand, hopefully, more upcoming films from Toei Animation and Shout! Factory:
I’ve written three books and I’ve written two live shows, and the current live show that I tour with now is a mentalism show. It would be pretty cool to do some sort of an anime version of my stage character. That would be cool to do, create an anime version of this globe-trotting mentalist who has the power to read the hearts and minds of his audience.
I’m always on tour with my mentalism show. Most of those are not open to the public, but I do a lot of college shows. I’m looking forward to doing more comic-cons. In terms of other animation, there’s a friend of mine who has an animation studio; he and I have been noodling concepts, but that’s still in the creative brainstorming stage.
you’re able to keep up with Seth either onTwitteror athis website,check out his new book, and keep an eye out for him at upcoming fan conventions! Of course, you can enjoy his performance inDigimon Adventure tri.: Reunionon DVD and Blu-ray May 16th.
