Anime star takes on TikTok over AI voice clone

A Japanese anime star is taking TikTok to court over videos he says use an AI clone of his distinctive baritone, in a case that could help determine who controls a performer’s voice. A verdict is expected on Wednesday.
The lawsuit is believed to be Japan’s first challenging imitation of a voice.
Kenjiro Tsuda, 55, is known for roles in Jujutsu Kaisen and Yu-Gi-Oh!. He is demanding that TikTok remove videos narrated in a voice he describes as unmistakably his: deep and “lustrous”. The platform argues that it is a generic male voice and that any resemblance is subjective, according to court records seen by AFP.
The videos paired images with narration about urban legends, occult phenomena and conspiracy theories. They were posted by an anonymous account whose profile picture resembled a Jujutsu Kaisen character voiced by Tsuda. At one point, the account had more than 200,000 followers and may have earned over 500,000 yen ($3,200) a month, his complaint said.
Tsuda’s lawyers argue that the account gained its audience through his recognisable voice, infringing his right to control commercial use of his identity. Although the account is no longer visible, the Tokyo District Court must decide whether TikTok was responsible for removing its videos.
The case has struck a nerve in Japan’s animation industry, where voice actors can become stars in their own right. “An actor’s voice is the result of years of rigorous training and apprenticeship,” said Yuko Sasaki of the Japan Actors Union. “It’s something we spend lots of time and money perfecting.”
Sasaki and other actors have launched a “No More” campaign against using AI to imitate performers without permission. Actor Bin Shimada warned that unchecked cloning on social media could leave younger performers struggling to see a future in the profession.
Japan has no law that explicitly protects a person’s voice, but the justice ministry issued non-binding guidance last month saying voices may be covered by existing rights over identity and likeness. TikTok, meanwhile, says it merely hosts a forum for users’ creative expression and disputes Tsuda’s claims about his fame.
Legal scholar Tatsuhiro Ueno believes the voice is unlikely to be denied protection altogether. Tsuda’s role as a stoic sorcerer in Jujutsu Kaisen has also made his voice recognisable abroad, he said, giving the ruling an audience far beyond Japan.
Veteran voice actor Michihiro Ikemizu, 83, expressed solidarity with Tsuda but insisted AI could not match a human performance. “You need to constantly feel and adapt while performing your role. That’s something AI can never do,” he said. “That’s our only weapon.” — AFP