Japanese voice actor sues TikTok over AI-generated imitation of his vocal style

Kenjiro Tsuda, a prominent Japanese voice actor, has taken legal action against TikTok, accusing the service of allowing AI-generated videos that replicate his baritone voice without permission. Tsuda, who has voiced characters in major franchises like Jujutsu Kaisen and Yu-Gi-Oh!, demands the removal of the offending content, asserting that the voice is uniquely his. TikTok counters that the audio is a non-specific male voice and that any resemblance is merely perceptual.

The dispute will be examined by the Tokyo district court, with a verdict expected on Wednesday, a ruling that could set a precedent for voice-right protections in Japan. The case has galvanized the Japanese actors' union, which argues that vocal performance should be recognized as a fundamental personal right. Other voice actors warn that a loss for Tsuda could open the door to unchecked AI voice cloning, threatening the livelihood of performers across the industry.