FUME SCANS - Kenjiro Tsuda, a Japanese voice actor known for roles such as Kento Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen and Seto Kaiba in Yu-Gi-Oh!, is taking legal action against TikTok over videos that allegedly use AI-generated imitations of his distinctive voice.

The case has drawn international attention as performers increasingly face concerns regarding artificial intelligence reproducing their voices without permission. A ruling from the Tokyo District Court is expected on September 30.

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Tsuda Claims TikTok Videos Used His Voice Without Permission

The lawsuit centers on an anonymous TikTok account that reportedly uploaded at least 188 narrated videos between July 2024 and September 2025.

The videos covered various topics—including urban legends, occult tales, and conspiracy theories—with Tsuda’s legal team arguing that the narration bore a striking resemblance to his recognizable, deep voice.

According to The Japan Times, the account reportedly attracted over 200,000 followers. Tsuda’s lawyers argue that the use of his vocal identity helped attract an audience and generated significant commercial value.

TikTok disputes this characterization. The platform contends that the narration represents a generic male voice and that determining a resemblance to Tsuda is subjective.

Consequently, the dispute goes beyond mere auditory similarity, raising questions about whether a performer can protect the commercial value associated with a recognizable voice.

Yuko Sasaki, executive director of the Japan Actors Union, told AFP that an actor's voice is the product of years of training and described the organization as a strong supporter of Tsuda’s case.

Japan Is Examining AI-Based Voice Protection

This lawsuit comes as Japan examines how existing laws should apply to AI-generated imitations of voices and likenesses. The country's Ministry of Justice established a review committee in April 2026 to examine civil liability regarding the unauthorized use of voices and images.

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The ministry released its final report on August 7, outlining legal guidelines concerning potential violations of publicity rights and other protections when generative AI is used to reproduce an individual's identity.

This makes Tsuda's case highly significant for Japan's voice-acting industry. The ruling could provide important indications of how courts interpret existing protections when AI technology is used to reproduce a voice actor's voice without consent.

The issue also extends beyond Japan. Artists worldwide have voiced concerns about AI systems mimicking recognizable voices, meaning the upcoming Tokyo court decision could attract attention far beyond the anime industry.