Anime dubs often spark debate among fans, but the recent controversy surrounding Solo Leveling has taken that discourse to a new level. The reason? Colombian superstar J Balvin’s unexpected appearance in the English dub. On paper, this might have seemed like a cool crossover, an attempt to blend anime with mainstream music appeal. In reality, though, it didn’t quite hit the mark. Instead, fans have been left questioning whether casting a big-name musician was really the right move.
J Balvin Takes on Solo Leveling’s Kargalgan
J Balvin’s anime voice-acting debut came in Solo Leveling’s second season, where he took on the role of Kargalgan, the boss of an A-rank dungeon. Now, if you’ve seen the show, you know that Kargalgan isn’t just some random enemy. He’s supposed to be this menacing, intimidating force—a villain who exudes raw power and authority. But when the episode aired, something felt… off.
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Instead of an intense and chilling performance, viewers got something that felt lackluster. Fans were quick to call out his delivery, describing it as flat, unintelligible, and emotionless.
Social Media Backlash: Fans Speak Out
The internet didn’t hold back. As soon as the episode aired, clips of Balvin’s performance flooded social media, with reactions ranging from confusion to outright disappointment. Some fans compared it to mumbling into a tin can, while others joked that they needed subtitles just to understand what he was saying. On Reddit, one user summed up the experience with brutal honesty:
“It sounds like he somehow mumbled and yelled at the same time while recording into a tin can. I genuinely can’t think of worse English voice acting.”
–Pichupwnage
The Broader Issue: Celebrity Casting in Anime
This whole situation isn’t just about one performance. It’s part of a bigger discussion about celebrity stunt casting in anime. Over the years, we’ve seen it work wonders—Samuel L. Jackson absolutely killed it in Afro Samurai, and Giancarlo Esposito’s performance in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was nothing short of brilliant. These actors brought their A-game because they understood the craft of voice acting.
But when someone without experience steps into the booth, things can get messy. Dubbing anime isn’t just about reading lines—it requires a deep understanding of timing, emotion, and character motivation. Without that, the results can feel jarring and out of place.
Could J Balvin Have Been Better Utilized?
To be fair, J Balvin is a powerhouse in the music world, and his involvement in Solo Leveling could have been an exciting addition—just not in this way. Many fans have pointed out that he would have been better suited to contributing to the anime’s soundtrack rather than taking on a voice role.
Imagine a high-energy J Balvin theme song for the show. That could have been a well-received collaboration. Instead, his voice acting debut ended up overshadowing what could have been a positive partnership.
Celebrity Stunt Casting in Anime: A Risky Move?
This controversy should serve as a wake-up call for anime studios. While bringing in celebrities can create buzz, it shouldn’t come at the expense of quality. Fans invest deeply in these characters, and they expect performances that do justice to the source material. When a voice doesn’t match the character’s intensity, it disrupts the entire experience.
At the end of the day, Solo Leveling remains one of the most popular anime of 2025, and there’s no doubt that future episodes will continue to keep fans engaged. But let’s hope this situation encourages studios to think twice before prioritizing celebrity names over experienced voice talent. The heart of any great dub isn’t about who’s the most famous—it’s about who can bring the characters to life in a way that resonates with the audience.
About Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling is a Korean Webtoon written by Chu Gong and illustrated by Jang Sung Rak. It is adapted from the web novel; I Alone Level Up. Kakaopage publishes it in South Korea and Piccoma in Japan. The series ended in December 2021 and has been collected into 14 volumes.
Portals connecting the Earth to realms of monsters have opened up, and hunters defeat those monsters. Sung Jin Woo belongs to the lowest level of hunters, but after getting involved in a Dungeon quest, he alone can see quests like that of a game.
His journey to become the most powerful hunter and bring peace back to Earth begins.
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