Japanese animation has a long history of casting celebrities in the English dubs of popular series. While this trend has produced some great performances in the past, it doesn’t always work out—and the recent casting of J Balvin in Solo Leveling Season 2 is a clear example of that.
In Episode 6 of Season 2, Grammy-nominated Colombian singer J Balvin made his voice acting debut as the high orc shaman Kargalgan. The English dub of the episode was officially released on February 22, 2025, on Crunchyroll.
The involvement of a global icon like J Balvin in one of the most popular anime series right now was a major deal for fans, and many were eager to hear his performance. However, when the English dub audiences actually heard him as Kargalgan for the first time, they were far from impressed.
Hardcore Solo Leveling fans were disappointed with the Colombian singer’s performance, taking to social media to express their frustration with Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment for what they considered a terrible casting choice.
Many argued that J Balvin’s voice acting weakened Kargalgan’s character and that hiring a seasoned voice actor instead of a celebrity would have been a far better decision.
In an interview with The Wrap, J Balvin stated that he didn’t use his natural voice for Kargalgan but instead created a new one to match the character’s style, strength, and darkness. This statement only further frustrated die-hard fans, with many questioning the reasoning behind his approach.
It’s clear from J Balvin’s performance that he’s not suited for voice acting—at least not yet—and that’s completely fine. Voice acting is a demanding craft, and major companies like Crunchyroll and Sony should prioritize experienced professionals rather than relying on celebrity appeal to broaden their audience.
That said, dismissing English dubs altogether wouldn’t be fair. Many anime, such as “Dragon Ball” and “Attack on Titan”, have delivered phenomenal dub performances, proving that quality dubbing is possible when the right actors are chosen.
While J Balvin’s underwhelming performance as Kargalgan may be a setback for Solo Leveling’s English dub, it shouldn’t discourage dub fans from enjoying the series. The rest of the cast is doing a great job bringing their characters to life, ensuring the anime remains engaging for viewers.
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