voice acting

Dr. Eggman Actor Mike Pollock to Continue Voicing Character

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Despite the recent shakeups in the Sonic the Hedgehog voice cast, including the departure of Sonic voice actor Roger Craig Smith, and the previously unreported by us departures of Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails and Cindy Robinson as Amy Rose, one cast member has confirmed they are staying. Mike Pollock announced via Twitter that he will remain in the role of Doctor Eggman, a role he has held since 2003. Said Mike:

“You know what they say: the more the merrier! You’ve not yet heard the last of me as Dr. Eggman in Sonic the Hedgehog video games! Kindly prepare your ears accordingly. If you guessed otherwise, SURPRISE!!!! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to stock up on lozenges.”

Mike is the longest serving Sonic franchise voice actor, who also has the distinction of voicing the most versions of the character between the games, tv shows and spin-offs. It is also worth noting that Mike specifically mentions video games, with no mention of Sonic Prime. Given how far out the upcoming Netflix animated series is, it is possible they have not cast for it yet, or Mike knows something we don’t. But we don’t want to assume, because you know what they say about people who assume.

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SEGA News Bits: Roger Craig Smith Will No Longer Voice Sonic The Hedgehog

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We learned the sad news today that Roger Craig Smith will no longer be voicing Sonic The Hedgehog, after over ten years in the role. On this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George share their thoughts on his departure and what the future might hold for Sonic.

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Roger Craig Smith Will No Longer Voice Sonic The Hedgehog

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Sad news today for Sonic fans, as longtime Sonic The Hedgehog voice actor Roger Craig Smith announced via Twitter that he would be stepping down from the role. Roger said “Welp, 10 years was an amazing run. Onward to new zones! Much love to the fans who’ve been so kind. It’s been an honor.”

Roger began his career as Sonic not in games, but as the voice of a Sonic themed hotel room in the UK Alton Towers resort. Roger made his video game debut as Sonic in the Xbox 360 Kinect exclusive Sonic Free Riders and appeared soon after in Sonic Colors. From there, Roger voiced Sonic in a variety of roles, from video games to the multi-media project Sonic Boom to both Wreck-It Ralph films to LEGO Dimensions. Between all his Sonic work, Roger was and is undoubtably the most prolific Sonic voice actor to date who has portrayed more versions of the character than any other actor before. His work will be fondly remembered by generations of fans and his work as Sonic, alongside his nemesis Eggman voiced by Mike Pollock, will be sorely missed.

It is unknown at this time if Roger is stepping down on his own, or if he has been replaced. It is also unknown who that replacement is. We also do not know at this time if other voice actors from the series are leaving. More news as we hear it. In the meantime, we wish Roger all the best and thank him for his excellent work. After the break, check out our classic Swinin’ Report Show interview with Roger.

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Celebrating Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary with 25 great underrated moments

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sonic 25 headerSEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise turns 25 today, and while we’ve celebrated franchise milestone years in the past, there is something really special about this one. A quarter of a century is a long time, and it is a testament to SEGA’s perseverance and the devotion of the Sonic fanbase that the franchise is still going strong. Sonic Lost World and the Sonic Boom franchise – particularly the games – are often pinpointed as the franchise’s recent weak points and signs that the franchise as a whole needs to be put down or at the very least take a long break. While I am not here to debate the merits of Sonic Lost World and Sonic Boom, I will say that to end a series or take a long break because of either is both incredibly shortsighted and far too extreme a reaction. I would also argue that Sonic is about much more than just the main series games, as fans like to label the major titles, and that there has always been great Sonic things happening even during the franchise’s darkest years.

In celebration of 25 years of Sonic the Hedgehog, join me in looking back year-by-year as I shine the light on great moments in Sonic history that more people need to be talking about.

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Swingin’ Report Show #75: Interview with Lisle Wilkerson – Shenmue II, Virtua Fighter and Crazy Taxi voice actress

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We celebrate 75 episodes in style on this week’s Swingin’ Report Show podcast! Joining us for an interview is Lisle Wilkerson, best known to SEGA fans for her voice work on Shenmue II, Virtua Fighter and Crazy Taxi. Learn what it’s like growing up in Japan and recording for some of SEGA’s greatest Dreamcast and arcade titles. Lisle also tells us about her correspondence work and her acting work on Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation with Bill Murray.

Then, George and Barry discuss the recent news of SEGA of America’s restructuring, dissecting SEGA Sammy’s official document to figure out what exactly we can expect in the future from SEGA. So what are you doing still reading this? We have a special guest and big SEGA news! Click play and enjoy our 75th show!

Don’t forget to follow Lisle Wilkerson on Twitter and Facebook!

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Christine Cavanaugh, voice actress of Bunnie Rabbot in ABC’s Sonic the Hedgehog, has passed away

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Christine_Cavanaugh

Sad news as 2014 winds to a close, we have learned that voice actress Christine Cavanaugh had passed away on December 22nd. Her obituary, which was posted by the LA Times today, does not give any cause of death but the focus really should be on celebrating Christine’s life and her incredible work.

If you don’t know Christine Cavanaugh’s name, you’d undoubtably recognize her voice as she not only performed Bunnie Rabbot in ABC’s Sonic the Hedgehog, but she is also well known as the original voice of Dexter from Dexter’s Laboratory, Chuckie from Rugrats, Marty Sherman from The Critic, and Oblina in Ahhhhh Real Monsters. Film and TV audiences will best recognize her as the voice of Babe in 1995’s Babe as well as playing a major supporting role in the classic The X-Files episode “Small Potatoes”. You can see Christine’s many roles at her IMBD listing.

Our thoughts are with Christine’s family, she will be missed.

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Ryo Hazuki Opens a Café, Milk Not On the Menu

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Don’t worry, Yu Suzuki has not created Shenmue Diner Dash for cell phones. Instead, Ryo Hazuki’s Japanese voice actor Masaya Matsukaze has opened a cafe in Akihabara with a unique twist (don’t all Japanese cafés have a unique twist?). Matsukaze’s cafe, called “Seiyu Café”, is staffed by voice actors and has a voice acting theme. The interior of the space resembles a recording studio, and throat-friendly drinks are sold alongside alcohol and sweets.

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Four SEGA titles make IGN’s list of “so bad it’s good” voice acted games

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If there’s one thing I know a thing or two about as a SEGA fan, it’s wonderfully bad voice acting, and apparently Adam Sutton at IGN Australia feels the same way. The article’s a tribute of sorts to games with voice acting so bad that it actually enhances the experience, and SEGA’s all over it: 4 of the 10 games, in fact. Hit the break to see which games made it.

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