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Although it is more common for movie stars to voice act in animated films, there are several animated TV shows that feature A-list actors among their cast. These shows can include Western cartoons, but also anime as well. In fact, some of the best anime series of all time have incredible voice acting performances and include talented actors among their casts.
Some cartoons are known for their funny characters, creating memorable stories that are meant to make people laugh. Other cartoons are based on violent movies, somehow transforming their narratives into something suitable for children to watch. Regardless, the addition of popular actors to any project brings a certain amount of notoriety to any project, animated or live-action.
10 Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
Starring Mark Hamill
Batman: The Animated Series is an award-winning adaptation of the Batman mythos. Remembered for its groundbreaking art style and orchestrated soundtrack, Batman: The Animated Series features the Caped Crusader and countless characters from his rogues' gallery. Kevin Conroy lent his now-iconic voice to the Dark Knight, with the show also featuring the voice talents of Mark Hamill (as the Joker) Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn), John Glover (the Riddler), Ron Perlman (Clayface), and David Warner (Ra's al Ghul).
Release Date September 5, 1992
Seasons 4
The Joker is one of the most iconic villains of all time, appearing in several different Batman projects throughout the years. He has been portrayed in films by actors such as Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, with decades of comic history to back up anything brought to the screen. Because of this history, the Joker is often played by famous actors in animation as well, the most famous of which being Mark Hamill's version of the character in Batman: The Animated Series.
His voice is so recognizable that Hamill sounds completely unlike himself, completely assuming the character of the Joker with his voice.
Well-known for his many appearances in the Star Wars franchise as the iconic Luke Skywalker, Hamill offered his voice to the role and crafted an instantly recognizable sound. His voice is so recognizable that Hamill sounds completely unlike himself, completely assuming the character of the Joker with his voice. Mark Hamill is a part of the reason that Batman: The Animated Series has so many iconic moments, making the series one of the best in the Batman franchise.
9 Gravity Falls (2012)
Starring Linda Cardellini And J. K. Simmons
When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the forest, the twins team up to solve the town's mysteries.
Release Date June 15, 2012
Seasons 2
Writers Alex Hirsch
Directors Alex Hirsch
Showrunner Alex Hirsch
Gravity Falls follows twins Dipper and Mabel through their various misadventures, investigating various paranormal mysteries and creatures in the town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. They do so with their great-uncle, who is often just as entertaining as the rest of the cast. While Dipper and Mabel are the main characters of the series, there are several instances in which popular actors play other characters along the way.
Gravity Falls has been nominated for several Kids' Choice Awards and won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation.
For example, Linda Cardellini, who has appeared in massive projects such as Mad Men and Scooby-Doo, plays Dipper's love interest Wendy. J. K. Simmons of Spider-Man infamy joins the cast in season two, lending his deep and imposing voice to the series. While all the voice actors in this series hold some acclaim, the inclusion of these two actors adds another layer to the series as a whole.
8 BoJack Horseman (2014)
Starring Will Arnett And Aaron Paul
Once the famous star of a hit sitcom, BoJack Horseman has fallen on tough times. Stuck in a major career slump and longing to relive his glory days, BoJack attempts to once more become relevant in an industry that has long since turned its back on him. With a few dysfunctional friends at his side, BoJack begins his long-overdue career comeback.
Release Date August 22, 2014
Seasons 6
Writers Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Directors Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Showrunner Raphael Bob-Waksberg
On the outside, BoJack Horseman initially seemed like it would be a funny adult comedy series in line with The Simpsons or Rick and Morty. However, anyone who has watched BoJack Horseman will tell you that underneath the thin veneer of the series' comedy stylings is a passionate series about depression and growing older. This comes in spite of outrageous characters and situations, making a statement about mental health as often as it tries to make viewers laugh.
This heartfelt story is only amplified by Will Arnett's genuine performance as the titular character, playing the one-time actor with all the emotion that someone would bring to a live-action performance. Though he was first so recognizable for his performance in Arrested Development, the role of BoJack has shown that he has great range. This, coupled with the inclusion of Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul, makes for perfect casting for a wonderful show.
7 Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)
Starring The Cast Of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Based on the famous graphic novel by Bryan Lee O'Malley, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is an animated adaptation of the comedic action-adventure series. The series will see the titular Scott Pilgrim living a routine life until he falls for a delivery girl named Ramona Flowers - but before they can date, he'll have to battle with her seven evil exes. The series will see several returning talents, such as the cast of the 2010 film by Edgar Wright, all reprising their roles, and musical partners Joseph Trapanese and Anamanaguchi.
Release Date November 17, 2023
Seasons 1
Writers Bryan Lee O'Malley , BenDavid Grabinski
Directors Abel Góngora
Showrunner Bryan Lee O'Malley , BenDavid Grabinski
When Scott Pilgrim vs. the World originally released in 2010, the film not only gained a dedicated cult following, but also brought even more popularity to the comic series it was originally based on. Detailing Scott's journey to defeat the exes of Ramona Flowers, he attempts to win her hand in a colorful, video-game-styled film. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off treads similar ground to the original, but ultimately follows its own story.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off won a Critics' Choice Award for Best Animated Series and has a score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is most interesting about Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is that the cast from the original film has returned for the animated series. Massive actors such as Michael Cera, Chris Evans, and Brie Larson reprise roles they played a decade ago. Not only do they give great performances throughout, but their inclusion in a series that could have recast the roles adds a sense of nostalgia that few series can match.
6 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010)
Starring Matthew Lillard
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated follows a teenage group of detectives and their talking Great Dane, Scooby-Doo, as they solve mysteries in the haunted town of Crystal Cove. The series explores supernatural occurrences and hidden secrets while delving into the friendships and familial bonds of the main characters.
Release Date July 12, 2010
Seasons 2
Writers Jed Elinoff , Joe Ruby , Mitch Watson
Directors Lauren Montgomery , Curt Geda
Creator(s) Mitch Watson , Spike Brandt , Tony Cervone
The Scooby-Doo franchise has been around for decades, counting several animated series and live-action films among its repertoire. Because of this, several actors have played these supernatural detectives. There is perhaps none more iconic than the actor Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, who made the jump from live-action to animation after portraying Shaggy in both Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.
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Previously known for his role in the horror satire Scream, Lillard is now best known for playing the role of Shaggy. His performance was so iconic in the live-action films that he has become synonymous with the role, returning to play the character several times over the years. His acting perfectly captures the switch between laid-back and cowardly that Shaggy embodies, and this is the case with his voice-acting as well.
5 Over The Garden Wall (2014)
Starring Elijah Wood And Tim Curry
Over the Garden Wall is a fantasy-adventure series created for Cartoon Network by Patrick McHale. Two brothers named Wirt and Greg become lost in a winding wooded realm known as the Unknown and must work with various forest-dwelling people and creatures within to find their way home. The series was continued in a comic book run to expand the world further.
Release Date November 3, 2014
Seasons 1
Writers Katie Krentz , Bert Youn , Patrick McHale
Directors Nate Cash , Bert Youn
Showrunner Patrick McHale
Over the Garden Wall is a beautiful fantasy series, following two brothers as they journey through a fantasy forest in an attempt to find their way home. Over the Garden Wall even parallels Dante's Circles of Hell in many ways, adding an atmospheric element of horror many cartoons lack. The series is haunting and dramatic with great writing, even winning an Emmy Award for being an Outstanding Animated Program.
A comic book adaptation of Over the Garden Wall has since been published by KaBoom!
The voice cast has some surprising appearances, as Elijah Wood plays the main character, Wirt. Wood is most famous for playing the role of Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and his experience in fantasy echoes through his performance. The show is a beautiful one, being one of many great shows to come out of Cartoon Network over the years.
4 Hazbin Hotel (2024)
Starring Keith David
Hazbin Hotel is an adult animation series created and directed by Vivienne Medrano. Hazbin Hotel centers on Lucifer's daughter, who opens a hotel for misfit demons she thinks can be redeemed in order to reduce Hell's overpopulation. The first season of Hazbin Hotel premiered on Prime Video on January 19, 2024.
Release Date January 19, 2024
Seasons 1
Writers Dave Capdevielle , Kendraw Cook , Raymond T. Hernandez , Vivienne Medrano , Daniel MacDonald , Maritza Medrano
Directors Vivienne Medrano
Creator(s) Vivienne Medrano
First beginning as a series on YouTube, this animated musical comedy has been given a second home and an official premiere through the platform Amazon Prime. Hazbin Hotel primarily focuses on Hell's princess, Charlie, as she attempts to rehabilitate Hell's sinners in an attempt to ferry their souls to heaven. Many of the moments in the series are told through song, with much of the cast comprising of Broadway stars such as Erika Henningsen and Alex Brightman.
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However, one addition to the cast adds some instant star-power to the series. Keith David, who has appeared in countless films and shows throughout his decades-long career, such as The Thing and The Princess and the Frog, plays the voice of Husk. His singing is perfect for the role, notably deeper than the other singers in the project and causing the character to stand out in a way that is immediately satisfying.
3 Arcane (2021)
Starring Ella Purnell And Hailee Steinfeld
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Arcane
Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx) as they end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the wealthy utopia of Piltover and its dark undercity whose citizens wish to break away from their oppressors. Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure.
Release Date November 6, 2021
Seasons 2
Writers Christian Linke , Alex Yee
Directors Pascal Charrue , Arnaud Delord
Showrunner Christian Linke , Alex Yee
Another series that details the struggles shared between two siblings, Arcane shows the lives of sisters Vi and Jinx as they find themselves on opposite sides of a massive conflict. Known for its incredible animation and acting, the show has been critically acclaimed by fans and critics alike. Now that Arcane season 2 has finally concluded, Netflix's adaptation of the League of Legends video-game property is now available to audiences worldwide.
Among the incredible actors included throughout Arcane are Ella Purnell and Hailee Steinfeld, who play Jinx and Vi, respectively. Purnell is best known for her role as Lucy MacLean in Amazon Prime's Fallout series, which actually came out after the first season of Arcane, but she has also appeared in projects such as Army of the Dead and Yellowjackets. Steinfeld, on the other hand, has appeared in various big-budget films such as The Marvels and Ender's Game.
2 Invincible (2021)
Starring Steven Yuen, Sandra Oh, J. K. Simmons, And More
Based on the comic book character by Robert Kirkman, Invincible follows Mark Grayson, a seventeen-year-old who leads a seemingly average life save for the fact that he lives behind the shadow of his superhero father, Omni-Man. Mark goes on to develop superhuman abilities, but he must also learn that his father's legacy isn't as glitzy and glamorous as he's been led to believe.
Release Date March 26, 2021
Seasons 2
Showrunner Simon Racioppa
Being a more adult take on the superhero genre, Invincible shows the darkness that lies behind the heroes that people idolize. The series tells the story through the eyes of Mark Grayson, the son of the superhero Omni-Man. Despite growing up to idolize his father, once he becomes a hero himself, Mark realizes that his father's legacy is one that has been tainted and hidden from the public.
The entire cast is full of massive names, with Mark being played by Steven Yeun and his father being played by J. K. Simmons. Yeun, who has appeared in The Walking Dead and Okja among others, brings incredible emotion to the character of Mark as his life seemingly falls apart around him. Other notable actors that make appearances throughout the series include Sandra Oh, Mark Hamill, Ben Schwartz, and even Zachary Quinto.
1 Afro Samurai (2007)
Starring Samuel L. Jackson
Afro Samurai follows Afro, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, as he seeks vengeance against Justice, who killed his father. Set in a futuristic feudal Japan, the series blends elements of Western and samurai films with stylized action and unique animation.
Release Date January 4, 2007
Seasons 1
Writers Takashi Okazaki , Derek Draper , Chris Yoo
Directors Fuminori Kizaki
Showrunner Takashi Okazaki , Fuminori Kizaki
Creator(s) Takashi Okazaki
Taking place in an alternate-reality Japan, Afro Samurai is a dynamic action series that portrays a samurai named Afro who strives to claim a headband that will give him god-like powers after one of the headbands' current wearers kills his father. The series itself is incredibly stylish, and though it does not have a particularly complex story, it doesn't need to. It is well told from beginning to end, with a stunning performance from famous actor Samuel L. Jackson.
A sequel film to the series titled Afro Samurai: Resurrection was released in 2009 and includes performances from even more stars, including Lucy Liu and Mark Hamill.
Jackson himself is well-known for his love of anime, and so his appearance in an amazing anime is hardly surprising. The animated series originally caught Jackson's attention after the studio created a test trailer, and he was then signed onto the project. He brings a certain excitement and passion to the role that really encompasses the character of Afro, and his presence is notable as an A-list actor in an anime production.
English (US) ·