Honkai Star Rail is recasting several roles amidst controversy.
Developer and published HoYoverse revealed that several castings, including for Argenti and the upcoming character Moze, will be changed amidst the voice actor issues that are affecting Honkai Star Rail.
It's important to note that SAG-AFTRA has an ongoing video game strike. HoYoverse games may be affected by this strike.
Argenti VA changed
Out of nowhere, both of Adam Michael Gold's roles have been removed from Honkai Star Rail. Keen-eyed players noticed that his roles as the Argenti and Mr. Tail VA (Huohuo's spirit companion) have been removed and changed.
The official website now credits Talon Warburton for Argenti and Aaron Veach for Mr. Tail. HoYoverse has yet to put out a statement or reason for the recast.
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Chris Niosi steps down as Moze VA
Voice actor Chris Niosi announced that he stepped down from his role as Moze in Honkai Star Rail. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he called the role an incredible honor, but "cannot in good faith continue a role that would cause undue pain." HoYoverse has acknowledged this and announced that they will be recasting the role.
After the long statement that addressed his past "harmful decisions," he thanked MiHoYo/HoYoverse for the role.
Niosi was at the center of emotional and sexual abuse allegations in 2019 that eventually confessed to after being called out on social media. He also issued a public apology for his actions. Niosi was also the first character for male Byleth in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Heroes.
Due to him breaking a non-disclosure agreement and his abuse allegations, Nintendo promptly recast the role and gave it to Zach Aguilar. He is no longer credited in Heroes and the Aguilar-voiced Byleth shipped in an update to Three Houses.
The announcement of Chris Niosi's role in Honkai Star Rail as the Moze VA was not received well by the community. Sunday's voice actor, Griffin Puatu, put out a statement on Reddit defending Niosi amid the controversy.
"Those of us who have watched his journey from cancellation, to growth and redemption, we believe in him. We've seen him change," wrote Puatu. This, too, was not received well by the online community and even affected one of his own roles.
Moze is set to release on Honkai Star Rail version 2.5 which is scheduled on September 11, 2024. If he has any appearances in the upcoming version, the Moze VA will most likely still be Chris Niosi.
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