Voice Actor Kenjiro Tsuda Sues TikTok Over AI Voice Cloning in Landmark Japan Lawsuit

Kenjiro Tsuda, the voice behind Kento Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen and Seto Kaiba in Yu-Gi-Oh!, has sued TikTok's parent company at Tokyo District Court over at least 188 videos featuring unauthorized AI-generated imitations of his voice. The first oral argument is expected this summer.

What Sparked the Lawsuit

The dispute centers on videos uploaded to TikTok between July 2024 and September 2025 that used AI-synthesized narration mimicking Tsuda's distinctive baritone. Tsuda filed the suit in November 2024, alleging that the platform's operator violated his right of publicity a legal doctrine in Japan that protects the commercial value tied to a public figure's identity and likeness.

Tsuda is demanding the removal of all 188 identified videos from TikTok. The financial stakes are also significant: based on estimated view counts, the videos reportedly generated between 500,000 and 750,000 yen in monthly revenue, underscoring the commercial exploitation at play.

TikTok's Defense

TikTok's operator has pushed back against the allegations, arguing that the narration in question used a "standard male voice" without distinctive characteristics and does not actually resemble Tsuda's voice. The company's position effectively challenges whether the AI output is close enough to Tsuda's real voice to constitute a publicity rights violation a question that will likely become central to the court proceedings this summer.

Why This Matters for the Voice Acting Industry

Tsuda's legal team has framed the case as a broader fight for the future of voice acting in Japan. His lawyer stated that allowing unauthorized AI voice generation to continue unchecked could harm the future development of the entire voice acting industry. The lawsuit aims to establish clearer legal boundaries around AI voice cloning, an area where Japanese law has yet to set firm precedent.

Tsuda is one of the most recognizable voices in modern anime. Beyond Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen and Kaiba in Yu-Gi-Oh!, he voices Kishibe in Chainsaw Man and Dainsleif in Genshin Impact. His distinctive vocal style has made him a prime target for AI voice synthesis tools that have proliferated across social media platforms in recent years.

A Test Case for Japan

This lawsuit is shaping up to be one of Japan's first major legal battles over AI voice cloning. While publicity rights have been recognized by Japanese courts in prior cases involving images and likenesses, applying that framework to AI-generated voice imitations breaks new ground. The outcome could set a precedent not only for voice actors but for any public figure whose vocal identity is replicated by generative AI tools.

The first oral argument at Tokyo District Court is expected this summer, and the anime and voice acting communities will be watching closely. However the court rules, the case has already drawn attention to the legal vacuum surrounding AI-generated voices in Japan and the urgent need for clarity as the technology continues to advance.