Summary
- Kinich’s English voice actor was replaced in Genshin Impact 5.5 by Jacob Takanashi due to an ongoing strike by voice actors.
- The change applies to new content in the update, with historical content to be updated gradually in later patches.
- Takanashi thanked the developers for the opportunity to fill Patneaude’s shoes and reassured fans of his commitment to the role.
Genshin Impact has replaced Kinich’s English voice actor in Version 5.5, and the original cast member has reacted to the announcement. Kinich is a highly popular character in Genshin Impact that became playable with the release of Natlan.
After a pause from releasing new Natlan content, Genshin Impact recently launched its 5.5 update with new explorable areas and characters from the Pyro Nation. The patch added Varesa and the highly anticipated Iansan to the playable roster, as well as a new story chapter featuring both units. However, developer HoYoverse also made some major changes to the game regarding voiceovers. Earlier in March, it was revealed that Genshin Impact would recast Ifa’s Japanese voice actor. Now, yet another major character has suffered a similar fate.
Related
Genshin Impact Leak Teases Playable Durin
A recent leak from a reliable source teases when Durin, a major lore character in Genshin Impact, will get to join the game’s playable cast.
As confirmed by Genshin Impact‘s official patch notes, Kinich’s English voice actor has been recast in Version 5.5. According to HoYoverse, the new actor is Jacob Takanashi and the change only applies to new content in the latest update. However, historical content will be updated gradually in later patches as well. Players might remember that Kinich’s English voice lines have been silent in-game since Genshin Impact Version 5.1, even though he played an important role in Natlan’s Archon quest. Several other characters have also had missing voicelines in recent flagship events, like the Sabzeruz Festival and the 2025 Lantern Rite.
Genshin Impact Recasts Kinich’s English Voice Actor in Version 5.5
Kinich’s original English performer, John Patneaude, has reacted to the news of being recast. Through a Twitter post, Patneaude wrote that they had refrained from voicing Kinich for months because HoYoverse “wouldn’t offer AI protections in the form of a SAG Interim Agreement.” Like Patneaude, many Genshin Impact voice actors have abstained from voicing their characters in support of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike against the use of AI in video games. Patneaude expressed satisfaction with having voiced Kinich and thanked the Genshin Impact community for its support. The actor also stated that they would be willing to work with HoYoverse again if the studio signed an interim agreement. On the other hand, Jacob Takanashi shared a Twitter post addressing his role as Kinich’s new performer. Takanashi thanked the developers for the opportunity and wrote that Patneaude had left “big shoes to fill,” but promised fans his disposition to give his best at work.
Genshin Impact hasn’t been the only HoYoverse game affected by the SAG-AFTRA strike in recent months. Two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors were replaced, and the developers were criticized for not notifying the actors beforehand. While new Genshin Impact characters like Ifa and Varesa are fully voiced in English, HoYoverse’s decision to replace Kinich’s actor sets a precedent for other characters to be recast as well. Whether other popular units receive the same treatment in upcoming updates remains to be seen.
RPG
Action
Adventure
Gacha
Open-World
- Released
-
September 28, 2020
- ESRB
-
T for Teen – Fantasy Violence, Alcohol Reference