Meet Eric Vale
Christopher Eric Johnson Jr. (born April 28, 1974 in Grand Prairie, Texas) is a prolific American voice actor, ADR director, scriptwriter, and producer. Known professionally as Eric Vale, he’s brought to life some of anime’s most iconic characters from shonen warriors to heartfelt heroes—all with a signature warmth and charisma.
How It All Started
Eric’s voice acting debut came in 1999 with Funimation’s English dub of Dragon Ball Z, taking on several one-off roles before landing his breakout part: Future Trunks. His success continued in related series like Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Z Kai, and Dragon Ball Super, becoming the English voice everyone associates with that blue-haired, sword-wielding Saiyan.
The Shonen Heartthrob: Future Trunks
Since 1999, Eric has voiced Future Trunks (and adult Trunks) across the entire Dragon Ball franchise—TV series, Kai, numerous movies, and games. The intensity of Trunks’ rebellion, the heart of his time-travel plotline, and the hope in his voice all show Eric’s ability to balance emotion and heroism.
Diverse Roles & Major Anime Projects
- One Piece (since 2007) – The suave, carefree chef Sanji, Funimation’s main English voice across series and films.
- Fruits Basket (2001 & 2019) – Gentle-hearted Yuki Sohma in both the original and the reboot.
- Fullmetal Alchemist & Brotherhood (2003–2010) – The calculating and charismatic alchemist Solf J. Kimblee.
- Fairy Tail (2009–2019) – The charming and mischievous celestial spirit Loke/Leo.
- Hetalia: Axis Powers (2008–2010) – Split roles as America and Canada.
- Mirrors & Mechanics: Baccano!, Initial D, Nabari no Ou, Black Cat, Soul Eater, Tokyo Ghoul and many others—Eric brings distinct personality to each.
- My Hero Academia (since 2016) – The chilling supervillain Tomura Shigaraki.
- Free!, Psycho-Pass, Sengoku Basara, Death Parade, Noragami, Eight Ballers—and the list goes on.
Films & OVAs
Eric reprised his key TV roles in animated films:
- Dragon Ball Z movies: multiple Trunks appearances.
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – Future Trunks returns.
- One Piece theatrical films like Gold, Red, Stampede.
- Fruits Basket: Prelude, My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising, Psycho-Pass: The Movie, Free! Road to the World, and others.
Video Games & Voice Director
Eric voices Future Trunks in Dragon Ball games like Budokai and Kakarot, and has contributed to My Hero One’s Justice 2 as Tomura Shigaraki. Off-camera, he’s also built a strong resume as an ADR director and scriptwriter, including work as voice director on series like B’t X and assistant director roles on Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3.
Writing, Producing & ADR Work
Beyond performance, Eric’s talents extend to script adaptation and direction:
- Written dub scripts for Funimation’s One Piece (early episodes), Black Cat, Burst Angel, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Lupin III.
- Directed ADR and casting for Anime like B’t X.
- Produced and shaped localizations, honing dialogue to fit both original intent and the reach of new audiences.
Personal & Family Life
Eric has been married to voice actress Alese Watson (née Johnson) since July 2003. They share two children. He continues living in Texas, often attending conventions across North America where he’s beloved for his approachable personality and deep fandom connection.
Style & Impact
Eric’s performances resonate due to his natural ability to give each character emotional depth. Future Trunks’ anguish, Yuki’s gentle resilience, Shigaraki’s chilling menace—they’re distinct yet grounded thanks to his range. He also brings comedic timing to Sanji and smooth charm to Loke, displaying range across tone and genre.
Industry Recognition
While Eric hasn’t won mainstream awards, his characters frequently appear on fan polls and critical best-of lists. He’s a recurring guest at large conventions like Anime Central, Rhode Island Comic Con, and Crunchyroll Expo, and remains a consistent presence in interviews and anime voice celebrations.
Current Projects & What’s Next
As of 2025, Eric continues voicing Sanji in the ongoing One Piece series and film projects. He’s still voicing Future Trunks in Dragon Ball games and media including Kakarot (2020) and Sparking! Zero (2024). He remains the voice of Yuki in both versions of Fruits Basket, Tomura in My Hero Academia, Arthur Boyle in Fire Force (2019–present), and his long-running recurring roles in hit anime.
Why Eric Vale Matters
From long-suffering Saiyans to scowling villains, Eric shapes anime’s emotional landscape in English. His decades of work have made him essential to major franchises and crucial in bridging Japanese storytelling to international fans. Above all, his commitment to heartfelt performance shines through—ensuring characters feel real.
Final Word
Eric Vale is not just the voice behind epic moments—he’s a dependable creative force. His career spans over 300 anime credits, writing, direction, and a legacy of performances that helped build English anime fandom. Casual or serious, comedic or tragic, his voice always delivers.
