Darrel Guilbeau, the voice behind Mikado (Durarara), Wylfred (Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume), Viewtiful Joe (Marvel vs Capcom 3 series), and many more, talks about what draws him to certain conventions, being recognized as a voice actor by total strangers, and bringing out the nuances of a Japanese-written character during localization. (Interview at KuroNekoCon 2016) By Tyler Cummings







GrandLethal16: Hi everybody! This is Tyler aka GrandLethal16 and today I have Darrel Guilbeau with me. Did I pronounce that right?

Darrel: You did! I appreciate you pronouncing it right.

GrandLethal16: Thanks! My first question is: How did you find yourself here at KuroNekoCon?

Darrel: I was invited! This is a good thing! You know, this is my third appearance here. I was actually at the very first KuroNekoCon they did and it was over at - I don’t remember the name of the college - but it was students at the college who had a program there and people were at anime college and they hosted it there. So it was the first KuroNekoCon and it was really small and I had a great time. The second year, they asked me back and I came back. Even after the first year it grew so it was actually at the Convention Center in the second year, which is amazing.

GrandLethal16: So, do you emcee yet?

Darrel: No, I’m not much of an emcee-er. I’m good with hosting my own panel, which is not a Q&A, but I do Durarara impressions - it’s impromptu and spontaneous and I do have a lot of involvement with the audience and stuff. So, that’s kind of as close as I get to emcee-ing.

GrandLethal16: So, you’ve been coming since the beginning. What draws you to a particular convention? Is there anything you’re looking for when you’re looking at all your options?

Darrel: I love going to different places. That’s for sure, but I also like places that sort of have a family atmosphere in terms of like the staff feels like a family, the fans feel like it. You see some of the same people, like I’m seeing the same fans that I’ve been seeing for the past two years come up to me still. So it’s always gratifying.

GrandLethal16: Do you have a favorite dish when you’re in town?

Darrel: Well, my big thing is always Dutch Brothers Coffee because we don’t have that in LA. I don’t know why.

GrandLethal16: Dutch Brother’s coffee in Washington.

Darrel: Exactly so I have to get my Dutch Brothers.

GrandLethal16: Nice! When you started out in the voice actor industry, did you ever envision this level of success?

Darrel: No. You know, I started out being an actor and when you’re young and kind of starting out, you really kind of have an idea of how you think it’s supposed to go or how you hope it’s gonna go, but like most things in life, life will take you where it wants to take you sometimes. So I think what got me mostly where I am is sort of allowing it to happen and not trying to make things happen like it should. I’m still showing up and doing my best, but no I never really thought actually that being a voice actor would have been such a big part of my acting career.

GrandLethal16: It’s crazy how those things can happen. Alright, here’s a fun one: What’s the easiest role you’ve ever voiced?

Darrel: Actually, Hakuryu in Magi was not easy, but for whatever reason, I felt there was just a connection with who he was for some reason.

GrandLethal16: An affinity?

Darrel: Yeah, an affinity. So I would say him.

GrandLethal16: Then on the other side, was there an exceptionally difficult role, one that really took a lot out of you to make happen?

Darrel: You know, Amaimon was actually a challenge in Blue Exorcist because a lot of times we have to be a little closer in Japanese, but also we need to be our own because we can’t just imitate and Amaimon was a little bit of a challenge because sometimes you’re used to like a demon being, like a demon, but Amaimon was innocent in a demonic way. That’s how I look at him.

GrandLethal16: I remember that about him.

Darrel: So, that was his life and I found that turned out to be a challenge to kind of keep him like that. Now, in the video game world, it was very difficult to do Viewtiful Joe with his energy and his high pitched voice and trying to maintain that

GrandLethal16: And appearing on all takes with that energy?

Darrel: He’s never low key. Never!

GrandLethal16: No, I’ve never seen an underwhelming Viewtiful Joe. Is there any particular method acting or way you get into a role?

Darrel: It depends on even the genre because if you’re doing like theater, you have a lot more time to develop the characters, So, you can really start slow, but sometimes if you’re doing film you might have more time. Voice work, sometimes you’re just thrown right into it and sometimes it does take some time to start feeling, “Okay, I know who this guy is”. I mean, I just try to rely on instincts and empathy recognizing that the character and feeling what the character is feeling.

GrandLethal16: Because details of the character may be “between the lines”?

Darrel: Yeah, exactly. That’s true because sometimes they’re saying something, but they’re “acting” something else or “thinking” something else. What are they really saying?

GrandLethal16: Exactly. There are nuances especially since you’re taking source material for maybe a Japanese comic to a Japanese cartoon to American localization. There’s a lot to pick up there.

Darrel: Sometimes, they’ll have you do it different ways because they might be unsure of how it should be done. They’ll say, “Well, he’s feeling this”, so you do it that way and then, “Okay, we’re not doing it that way. He’s actually this”, and you’re like “Oh.” So, you have to change it right then and there and you’re even changing what the character’s motivation is sometimes at the drop of a hat.

GrandLethal16: Now I’ve heard that typically what happens is you don’t always hear in advance a lot of information on it, and the director will give you a paragraph maybe 5-10 minutes before. He’ll be like, “Okay, read this, familiarize yourself with this… and go!”

Darrel: Sometimes you don’t even get that. Sometimes they just hand it to you.

GrandLethal16: Since you’ve done Viewtiful Joe, you’ve done fighting games as well. I’ve heard those are when they make new editions they’re simple because you can do the recording from home with grunts or noises where you’re get hit in the game…

Darrel: I have never done any from home. I’ve always gone to the studio and I don’t know in LA sometimes it’s different from other places, but LA is mostly videos, fighting ones, Dynasty Warriors and they always have me come in and of course Marvel vs Capcom - we did it in the studio.

GrandLethal16: On the note of friends, family, and fans: How do they impact your voice acting career?

Darrel: Well, friends - most of them don’t know what the heck I do.

GrandLethal16: Do you keep it on the down-low?

Darrel: No, it’s just that everyone - I think if you’re not into “it” you may not just realize the culture around “it”.

GrandLethal16: Like the folks walking around outside the convention, walking by.

Darrel: “What is that? What is that?” (pretends to be baffled outsider looking around, confused) “That’s kind of interesting. What is that?” I mean friends who know what I do - when they see my postings, they love it and think it’s great. I don’t even think my family is aware that I’m really known a little bit in this world for this kind of stuff. My mom is funny though - if it’s on Cartoon Network, some of the stuff like Durarara or Blue Exorcist, she’ll watch it on Cartoon Network.

GrandLethal16: She’s like, “I heard your voice on TV”?

Darrel: Sometimes, she’s like, “So, that woman on the motorcycle doesn’t have a head”. So, she’s trying to understand. That stuff is funny. Now of course the fans. That’s been the biggest inspiration because when I first started doing it, you just go into a booth and you don’t know if anyone is listening or watching. You just send it out into space, go on with your life and you do more roles. When I first started going to conventions, I started thinking “Wow, people do watch this”. For me, that’s the most exciting thing to know that people are playing and watching and enjoying. Anytime I go to a convention and see anyone cosplaying any show I’m in - they don’t have to be cosplaying my character - like even here, I saw this woman cosplaying Celty, I go up to them. I’m like, “So, you’re ‘so-and-so’ ” and they look at me like, “Yeah” and I say, “Well I Amaimon” and then they get excited. It’s just fun being able to be a part of that!

GrandLethal16: Do you have any experiences where friends or family have suddenly realized you’re “that person”? Maybe they see something pop up in your Twitter feed and go “You’re that person from that show my kid watches” or something?

Darrel: Oh yeah. Some weird stuff like my cousin in San Antonio. My first cousin and she worked with this woman whose daughter was an anime fan. I guess my cousin was like, “Oh yeah. My cousin does voiceovers.” and I guess somehow it came out and then the daughter knew because she was president of the anime club at her school. My aunt, my cousin of course texts me and says "My co-worker’s daughter knows you from this…” So, I ended up sending her an autographed thing and it ended up months later her anime club and I set up this little interview online for her little anime club so they could ask me questions and stuff.

GrandLethal16: That’s awesome!

Darrel: Just recently, my brother in Arkansas - one of his co-workers found out and my brother is like, “My co-worker knows you”. So, I just sent him like a postcard and he probably flipped when he got the postcard. It’s usually like , to my family, I’m nobody, but sometimes they’ll run into people that actually know me and I think that’s kind of weird for for them.

GrandLethal16: It’s gotta be. I remember the first time I was at a convention I had only gone to once before and someone was like “Oh, me and my girlfriend watched one of your videos” and that’s pretty random because I’m not that big.

Darrel: It’s weird because it can be these random people that somehow run into someone they know.

GrandLethal16: Six degrees of separation.

Darrel: Yeah, six degrees of separation. It’s kind of interesting.

GrandLethal16: Yeah. Do you have any interesting pseudonyms that you’ve used before, if you can talk about them?

Darrel: No. I’ve never used a pseudonym actually.

GrandLethal16: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Darrel: Oh gosh! You know I haven’t even thought about it. Retired! No, I’m not gonna retire. I love acting. I really don’t want to stop acting. I feel like what I do mostly these days is try to take life moment to moment. I mean, it’s good to have plans because I definitely want to keep going. I think I’m sort of at a point where I want to be open to whatever comes my way and to believe that there will be some surprises because it’s not always easy. You’re rejected more than you get work. You never know. Every now and then something will surprise you. You’re like “oh my gosh, I can’t believe I got that”.

GrandLethal16: You get a callback or something.

Darrel: Yeah, you just get a part when you least expect it. I mean, I hope I’m still acting.

GrandLethal16: Do you have any goal roles that you want to play around with before you retire, maybe a big RPG or fighting character?

Darrel: You know, one thing was I did, I don’t know if you’re familiar with, it was only a Wii game and I wish it would have gone to more like PlayStation and stuff or more platforms. It was Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers.

GrandLethal16: A sequel. I’m a big fan of that.

Darrel: I’m Layle - I play Layle in that. Anyway, he was just such a different character and I would have loved to have been there in a sequel to that.

GrandLethal16: They could always port it to the Wii U…

Darrel: I don’t think he did great or anything so I don’t think that’ll happen. I loved doing Dynasty Warriors. I had a new character, Xu Shu and I loved doing him. He has been my favorite character.

GrandLethal16: Would it be a reoccurring character?

Darrel: I think he’s in Extreme, Dynasty Extreme, but so far I haven’t heard anything. Of course in anime I’ll do anything for work. There’s a lot that’s come out that I didn’t have a chance to be in. I would love Magi to have a third season…

GrandLethal16: You never know. Naruto and Bleach just kept on having new arcs and you never know where things will end.

Darrel: So yeah, I’m just open to whatever. I enjoy getting new projects.

GrandLethal16: Finally, if you have any words for your fans that couldn’t make it out here this weekend…

Darrel: (turns to camera) Oh my gosh! You know, if you’re not able to make it, I feel bad. This is a great con and if you’re able to make this con here in Spokane, it’s a great, great convention and if you ever just want to shoot me a question or something, I am on Facebook. You can Facebook me as a friend and you can go to my official page and like that and I’m on Twitter. Just look me up and any questions or if you just want to reach out, I’m pretty available.

GrandLethal16: Your Twitter handle?

Darrel: It’s Darrel Guilbeau. D-a-r-r-e-l-G-u-i-l-b-e-a-u.

GrandLethal16: Nice!

Darrel: I love putting up pictures of cons so you can see some of the experiences at all the cons I go to. And if I’m ever doing a project I like to post them on there to let you know, and even remind people to watch certain ones even though they’re older.

GrandLethal16: There’s a lot of classics out there. I mean and that’s interesting. Especially like Sailor Moon Crystal. They redid it so you have to check out the original. If an anime gets remade, it was pretty popular initially…

Darrel: I recently I had a friend on Twitter post that he had put some of the actors that had done smaller roles on Samurai Champloo, in two episodes of it and he said “I just want to let you guys know you did a great job in Samurai Champloo” and that’s been out for awhile.

GrandLethal16: It’s kind of timeless.

Darrel: So, I retweeted it because he had put the opening song, which is great music. So just to remind people, I wen,t “Hey if you haven’t seen it, watch it”

GrandLethal16: Awesome. It’s been a pleasure interviewing you. Thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat with me. Have fun this weekend.

Darrel: Thank you. You too. Take care everyone.





Check out more on what Darrel Guilbeau is up to these days from his Twitter page, @DarrelGuilbeau or check out his filmography on Wikipedia!

If you liked this interview, follow my Twitter page, @GrandLethal16, to keep up with upcoming content and events! I post convention / gaming updates to Instagram and Facebook, too.