Yu-Gi-Oh Voice Actor Takes Legal Action Against TikTok for AI Voice Imitations

Kenjiro Tsuda, the voice behind iconic anime characters like Seto Kaiba from Yu-Gi-Oh, Kento Nanami from Jujutsu Kaisen, and Overhaul from My Hero Academia, has taken legal action against TikTok in the Tokyo District Court. He claims that since July 2024, 188 videos featuring an AI-generated imitation of his voice have been uploaded to the platform.

Tsuda’s lawsuit, filed in November 2025 but only recently made public, alleges that a single account is responsible for these deepfake videos. His legal team estimates that these videos have generated monthly earnings between ¥500,000 and ¥750,000, which translates to approximately $3,100 to $4,700.

The actor is pursuing this case under Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Law, specifically targeting Article 2.1, which addresses actions that create confusion with another’s goods or business. Tsuda’s lawyers expressed concern that unchecked AI voice generation could negatively impact the voice acting industry. They aim to clarify legal boundaries through this lawsuit and bolster the rights of voice actors.

In response, TikTok’s Japanese subsidiary contends that the AI-generated videos utilize a “generic male voice,” referred to by users as the “艶つや/tsuya tsuya” voice, meaning “glossy/silky.” The company stated that they are handling the situation appropriately in light of the lawsuit and will refrain from further comments. The first public hearing in this case is anticipated within the next three months.