Prime Video’s Banana Fish AI dub sparks massive backlash in 2025—voice actors and fans furious over poor quality English version of the classic anime.
Amazon Prime Video sparked massive outrage in the anime community in late November 2025 by releasing the acclaimed series Banana Fish with an AI-generated English dub. Previously available only with subtitles, the classic 2018 anime suddenly featured fully voiced English dialogue—created entirely by artificial intelligence rather than human actors. The move has ignited fierce debates about job displacement, artistic quality, and the future of dubbing, with Banana Fish AI dub becoming one of the most discussed topics among otaku worldwide.
As of November 2025, voice actors and fans are calling out Prime Video for prioritizing cost-cutting over craftsmanship. What was meant to broaden accessibility has instead highlighted the growing tensions between technological innovation and creative labor in entertainment. For anyone wondering why this particular release caused such uproar, the issues run deeper than just one show.
What Happened With the Banana Fish AI Dub on Prime Video?
Banana Fish, the intense 2018 adaptation of Akimi Yoshida’s manga about street gangs and conspiracy in New York, originally streamed with Japanese audio and English subtitles only. On November 26, 2025, Prime Video quietly updated the title to include an English dubbed version—without any prior announcement or credits for voice actors.
Sharp-eyed viewers quickly noticed something off: the delivery sounded robotic, emotions felt flat, and pronunciation errors abounded. Social media sleuths confirmed it was AI-generated, likely using tools similar to those powering recent experiments in localized content.
Prime Video has not officially commented on the dub’s creation process as of November 29, 2025. The lack of transparency fueled speculation that Amazon is testing AI dubbing on older catalog titles before applying it more broadly.
Voice Actor Backlash: “Shame on You Amazon”
The strongest criticism came from professional voice actors who saw the release as a direct threat to their livelihoods. Daman Mills, known for roles in Dragon Ball Super and My Hero Academia, posted a scathing reaction on X that went viral.
“Shame on you Amazon,” Mills wrote, highlighting how AI dubs eliminate jobs while delivering inferior results. He pointed out specific examples where the AI failed to capture Banana Fish’s emotional nuance—particularly devastating in a series known for heavy themes like trauma and abuse.
Other industry veterans echoed his sentiments. Many noted that Banana Fish deals with sensitive topics requiring skilled performers to handle Japanese-to-English cultural translation properly—something current AI technology struggles with significantly.
As of 2025, SAG-AFTRA has been negotiating protections against AI voice replication, making Prime Video’s move particularly inflammatory during ongoing labor discussions.
Fan Reactions and Quality Issues With the AI Dub
Anime fans wasted no time flooding review sections and social media with complaints. Common criticisms include:
- Monotone delivery that ruins dramatic scenes
- Incorrect pronunciation of character names and terms
- Complete lack of emotional range in intense moments
- Poor lip sync that breaks immersion
Many viewers switched back to subtitles immediately, with some canceling Prime Video subscriptions in protest. The controversy has revived discussions about whether AI can ever truly replace human performances in artistic mediums.
Banana Fish holds special significance for many fans due to its mature storytelling and LGBTQ+ representation. Using AI for its first official English dub felt particularly disrespectful to those who waited years for a proper localization.
The Bigger Picture: AI Dubbing Trend in Anime Streaming
Prime Video’s Banana Fish experiment fits into a broader 2025 trend of streaming platforms testing AI localization tools. Companies cite benefits like faster turnaround and lower costs for bringing international content to new markets.
However, the backlash reveals growing resistance. Recent examples include Netflix facing criticism for AI-altered dialogue in live-action adaptations, and Crunchyroll sticking with human dubs despite pressure to cut costs.
Industry watchers predict 2026 will bring more sophisticated AI voice technology, but human performances remain the gold standard for emotional depth. The Banana Fish incident may force platforms to be more transparent about AI use in credits and marketing.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Anime Streaming Services
The Banana Fish AI dub controversy shows the anime community’s fierce protectiveness over voice acting as an art form. While technology continues advancing, this poorly received experiment proves audiences can tell—and care about—the difference between human passion and machine generation.
Prime Video’s silence suggests they weren’t prepared for the intensity of reaction. Whether this slows AI dubbing adoption or pushes for better implementations remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: fans will keep fighting for authentic experiences.
Have you heard the Banana Fish AI dub? Was it as bad as everyone says, or are people overreacting? Share your thoughts below—anime dubbing debates are always passionate!