Project X Zone 2 FANDUB: Prologue 3 - "Dancers in Shadow"

A member of the Striders, a band of mercenaries from the future so elite their capabilities seem superhuman. Despite his young age, Hiryu is one of the most skilled and talented among the group and is the youngest to achieve its top rank: "Special-A Class". Hiryu has partaken in some of the most dangerous and world-changing missions of the Striders, including another time-crossing event in the past.

Whilst on search for a target, Hiryu finds himself transported to modern day Shibuya, where he meets Hotsuma. As more travellers from different points in time gather, Hiryu quickly realises that he has found himself in the midst of yet another time crossing phenomenon.

Voice Tips: As one of the top ranked Striders, Hiryu's demeanor is exceptionally professional, almost ruthlessly so. He very rarely expresses any emotion and almost never speaks a word beyond what he needs to get his point across. Even finding himself in Hotsuma's time barely phases him. As such, he should be voiced with the sense that he's unflappable, and that he's "seen it all".

Voice Type: Medium-Low Male

Leader of the Oboro clan, and current wielder of the Demon Blade "Akujiki".

Hotsuma currently works under the Shinobi Agency, giving him missions straight from the government. As head of the Oboro Ninja Clan, he was granted sole possession of Akujiki, a terrifying weapon that consumes the souls of its prey. Unfortunately, this has meant Hotsuma's path is paved with the lives he's had to sacrifice to satiate Akujiki's hunger lest his own soul get consumed, including that of his own brother. This burden has caused Hotsuma to close himself off, making him distant and soft-spoken.

At the request of Kage Maru, Hotsuma makes his way into the closed off city of Shibuya to exchange information concerning Judgement 6's Dural. However, the city is closed for a reason, and Hotsuma soon finds himself crossing paths with other ninja from different points in time.

Voice Tips: As explained, Hotsuma past makes him come off as reserved and quiet. In comparison to Hiryu laconic nature, Hotsuma should be voiced more brooding and poetic, as he occasionally lapses into soliloquies, and even expresses shock at certain points.

Voice Type: Medium Male

(Click here to see Hibana with her mask up, which is her default appearance)

A kunoichi from a future not so far from Hotsuma's. She seems to know something about Hotsuma's fate, but refuses to elaborate in fear of interfering with events in time.

Like Hotsuma, Hibana was born into the Oboro clan, but was sent to train under a separate branch from an early age. She was taught by a former Shinobi Agency operative, but said master eventually disappeared from her life. Being abandoned by both her family AND her master caused Hibana to become bitter and dispassionate, leading to her catchphrase "Today's just not my day".

While on a mission, Hibana finds herself pulled through a time portal into Shibuya, and reacts in disbelief upon seeing Hotsuma apparently alive and well. When she gets told by Hiryu that she's been pulled into the past, she initially doesn't believe him, but eventually comes to terms with it.

Voice Tips: As with the other ninja, Hibana should be voiced in a controlled and stoic manner, very rarely showcasing any emotions at all beyond her usual despondent nature (though she's not above peppering her dialogue with a snide comment or two). She should carry a particular level of carefulness and mystery around Hotsuma, due to her knowledge of future events.

Voice Type: Medium Female

A female ninja hailing from the distant past (circa 1600s).

Natsu is a part of the Fu-Ma Clan, a village of demon fighters. Despite this, she ironically also has the demon 'Arahabaki' sealed inside her body by her master, Taki. Though she was ostracised, Taki remained supportive and kind to Natsu, teaching her the art of Musoh-Battoh-Ryu, and allowing Natsu to grow into cheerful (albeit rambunctious) girl she is now. However, Taki disappeared one day, and feeling indebted, Natsu set out to search for her.

Natsu is the last ninja to be pulled through the time portal and meet Hotsuma and the others. She has a hard time understanding her situation due to the other ninjas' refusal to explain the concept of time travel, though her bratty personality complicates matters as well. Overall, Natsu feels disconnected from the events transpiring...until she learns that Hiryu somehow has met Taki before.

Voice Tips: Remove any preconceptions as to how you think ninja act, because Natsu is the complete opposite. Loud and expressive, Natsu instead comes off as a bratty, self-absorbed teenager with a tendency to 'motor-mouth' through her sentences, not helped by the fact that she (somehow) speaks in modern slang despite hailing from the Edo period. Draw upon your inner Sharpay Evans or Regina George; Natsu should be voiced similar to how those "queen bee" girls in high school-based movies are.

Voice Type: High Female

A young man trained in the Chinese martial art "Bājíquán", and a recurring participant of the World Fighting Tournament.

Hot-blooded and focused, Akira relentlessly trains himself in pursuit of taking his skills to a higher level in order to "see the stars"; something his grandfather says is only revealed to those who understand the meaning of true strength. Despite this, Akira possesses a virtuous heart, and willingly uses his strength to help others, even his own rivals like Kage Maru.

Alongside Kage Maru, Akira makes his way to Shibuya to meet Hotsuma, due to his involvement with Kage's target, Dural. When he gets there, he amusingly mistakes Natsu for the ninja they were supposed to meet, but soon gets concerned when he hears events are playing out similar to a past battle he was involved in.

Voice Tips: Given that he's just a martial artist, Akira is free to express his emotions openly, running the gamut from complaining to sarcastic to serious. At the end of the day, Akira possesses a passion and zeal that should be captured in his voice.

Voice Type: Medium-Low Male

A ninja from the Hagakure clan, trained in the fearsome "Hagakure-ryū Jū-Jutsu" style of martial arts. The name "Kage Maru" is actually one passed down through members of the Hagakure, with the current Kage Maru being the 10th to adopt it.

Kage's current mission concerns the conglomerate Judgement 6, whom were responsible for the loss of his parents and village. The pursuit of taking down the massive corporation resulted in him to entering the World Tournament, and his investigations have led him to target the prized weapon of J6; the cyborg "Dural".

In order to gain assistance in tracking down Dural, Kage Maru enlists the help of Hotsuma, who has connections to government information. Bringing Akira along, they are set to meet in the deserted streets of Shibuya, which is closed off to the public. However, Kage soon comes to see why Shibuya's closed off in the first place.

Voice Tips: Out of all the characters in this scene, Kage Maru likely has the deepest voice of all of them. Though he is normally stone-faced and unexpressive, he occasionally reveals a warm-hearted soul beneath the mask. A gravelly voice similar to Batman would suit this character.

Voice type: Low Male.