Summary
Genshin Impacthas 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 inGenshin Impactthat became playable with the release of Natlan.
After a pause from releasing new Natlan content,Genshin Impactrecently 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 thatGenshin Impactwould recast Ifa’s Japanese voice actor. Now, yet another major character has suffered a similar fate.
As confirmed byGenshin Impact’sofficial 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 However, historical content will be updated gradually in later patches as well.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 beensilent in-game sinceGenshin ImpactVersion 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, manyGenshin Impactvoice actors have abstained from voicing their characters in support of theongoing SAG-AFTRA strikeagainst the use of AI in video games. Patneaude expressed satisfaction with having voiced Kinich and thanked theGenshin Impactcommunity 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 shareda Twitter postaddressing 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 Impacthasn’t been the only HoYoverse game affected by the SAG-AFTRA strike in recent months.TwoZenless Zone Zerovoice actors were replaced, and the developers were criticized for not notifying the actors beforehand. While newGenshin Impactcharacters 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.
