Johnny Yong Bosch, known for being the voice of Dante in the Devil May Cry franchise, was surprised to learn that he would be reprising the iconic role in the new Netflix anime adaptation. During a recent Zoom interview, Bosch revealed that his audition was for an untitled project, under the character name David. “When they told me I got the role and it was for Devil May Cry and Dante, I was like, ‘Wait a minute.’ I had to pause for a minute and say, ‘Do you guys know that I’ve been a part of this series before?'” the actor commented.
Dante’s voice didn’t even know it was going to be Dante
Despite his nearly 20 years of experience with the franchise, Bosch admitted that the news gave him a sense of honor and an additional burden upon receiving the role, thanks to the fact that the anime creator, Adi Shankar, had specifically written the part for him. “That definitely carried a different weight on my shoulders, but also an intense respect and honor,” he expressed.
In the new series, Bosch mentally prepared to portray a deeper Dante, beyond his glamorous image. In his preparation process, he worked on the material from Devil May Cry 3, trying to capture nuances that add depth to the character. “From the video games, we have this very specific Dante, and we know he has a dark past. But the games don’t spend as much time on Dante’s pain as they do on the aesthetics of his lethal life,” he noted.
The Netflix series, created by Adi Shankar, expands the character’s background, exploring his experiences and his process of self-discovery. Bosch explains that, through the anime, viewers will see Dante dealing with his pain and evolving into the character that fans already know. “It’s exciting to experience Dante going through those moments and discovering who he is,” he concluded.
