Greg Ayres: The Voice of Your Favorite (and Most Hilariously Hyper) Characters
When it comes to voice acting, Greg Ayres isnât just another name in the creditsâheâs a whirlwind of energy, heart, and (letâs be real) chaos in the best way possible. With his unmistakable voice and larger-than-life personality, Ayres has carved out a niche for himself in the anime and gaming world. Whether youâre binge-watching your favorite show or grinding through a JRPG, thereâs a good chance youâve encountered his work. Letâs dive into the man behind the mic and discover just why fans canât get enough of him.
From Raves to Recording Booths
Before he became a household name in anime circles, Greg Ayres was, believe it or not, a DJ! Thatâs right, this guy knows how to drop beats as well as he knows how to bring animated characters to life. His love for music and his work as a DJ was actually one of the ways he connected with the convention scene, where heâs now a regular guest. Conventions, raves, anime, and Greg Ayres are basically a perfect match made in nerd heaven.
Breaking into Anime: The Early Years
Ayres made his mark in the anime world in the early 2000s with his role as the lovable delinquent Kaoru Hitachiin in Ouran High School Host Club. This role helped catapult him to stardom in the anime voice acting community, and itâs not hard to see why. His portrayal of Kaoru was the perfect blend of mischief and charm, making it impossible for fans not to fall in love with the character. (And seriously, if you haven’t watched Ouran High School Host Club yet, do yourself a favor and fix that now.)
His unique voiceâyouthful, energetic, and filled with personalityâset him apart from the more âtraditionalâ anime voice actors of the time. And trust us, once youâve heard Greg Ayres, you never forget it.
The Roles You Love (And Some You Didnât Know Were Greg!)
Over the years, Ayres has voiced a ton of characters that anime fans hold near and dear. Remember Tomoki Sakurai from Heavenâs Lost Property? Yep, thatâs Greg. Tomokiâs mix of comedic perviness (can we say that?) and genuine heart made him one of the standout characters in the show. Ayresâ voice was perfect for capturing Tomokiâs chaotic and sincere sides.
And who could forget Monokuma, the creepy (and oddly cute?) bear from the Danganronpa series? While Monokumaâs insane personality certainly made an impression, Ayresâ portrayal helped crank up the weirdness to 11. He brought a playful malevolence to the character that made you shiver and laugh at the same time. Itâs no wonder Monokuma is a fan favorite in the gaming community.
Letâs not leave out his iconic role as Nagisa Hazuki in Free! If youâve ever caught yourself watching this show for âthe plotâ (donât worry, we wonât judge), youâve definitely heard Ayres bring Nagisaâs bubbly, optimistic personality to life. Heâs the ray of sunshine in the swimming club, and Ayres nails that endless enthusiasm with every line.
Character and Chaos: His Bread and Butter
Ayres seems to gravitate toward characters that are a little on the wild side. From roles like Youhei Sunohara in Clannadâwhere he voiced the characterâs loud-mouthed, hyperactive anticsâto the more eccentric characters like Ganta Igarashi in Deadman Wonderland, itâs clear that Greg Ayres knows how to bring high-energy performances to the mic.
And letâs not forget his involvement in the gritty world of Black Butler where he voiced Alois Trancy, a character that is as deranged as he is tragic. In typical Greg fashion, he added depth to a character that could have easily just been a chaotic villain. His portrayal gave Alois the nuance needed to make him a memorable part of the show.
Not Just Anime: Video Games Too!
Anime isnât the only place youâll find Greg Ayresâheâs also lent his voice to several video games. Take Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 for example, where he voices the mischievous Towa. His sharp, high-energy delivery fit the characterâs sneaky and sarcastic persona like a glove. Or look at his role as Ganta in Deadman Wonderland, where his portrayal helped players connect with the emotional turmoil and fierce determination of the character.
Conventions, Cosplay, and Community
If youâre a fan of anime conventions, thereâs a high chance youâve run into Greg Ayres in person. Heâs been a mainstay at anime conventions for years, both as a guest and as a DJ. But what really makes Ayres special is his deep connection to the anime community. Heâs been vocal about his love for cosplay and has even been known to show up at cons dressed as characters from his own shows!
Whatâs more, Ayres is a huge advocate for inclusivity within the anime and geek community. Heâs been open about his stance against bullying and harassment at conventions, using his platform to help create safe spaces for fans to express themselves.
Staying Power in the Industry
Itâs one thing to break into the voice-acting scene, but itâs another to stay relevant for over two decades. Greg Ayres has done just that, continually finding roles that resonate with fans while evolving his craft. Whether heâs playing an adorable swim team member, a diabolical bear, or a mischievous troublemaker, his performances always leave a mark.
Gregâs versatility, boundless energy, and genuine love for his fans and the anime community have solidified his place as one of the top-tier voice actors in the industry.
The Future Looks Bright (And Loud)
As long as thereâs anime and games, Greg Ayres will undoubtedly be voicing characters that are memorable, chaotic, and full of life. Whether itâs his ongoing work in fan-favorite franchises or new characters yet to be discovered, Greg continues to be a driving force in the world of voice acting.
So, next time youâre watching a show or playing a game, take a moment to listen closelyâyou might just hear that unmistakable Greg Ayres energy bringing another character to life.
Be sure to read "SHOCKING: D.C. Douglas Exposes Truth About 101 Voice Actors!"
