Known for his deadpan delivery in sitcoms like Just Shoot Me! and The Big Bang Theory , Posehn brought an unlikely gruffness to Gonta. However, it is Gonta’s tragic failure to stop the construction machinery with his sheer physicality that requires genuine pathos. Posehn, a lifelong fan of monster movies and metal music, understood the character’s primal rage. His performance captures the futility of brute force against concrete progress, making Gonta’s eventual transformation into a "yokai" (monster) to terrorize the construction workers both hilarious and heartbreaking.
Unlike some Ghibli dubs that lean toward star power (e.g., Howl’s Moving Castle with Christian Bale), Pom Poko ’s cast prioritizes . The film requires actors to play drunk, silly, terrified, and epic—often in the same scene. Clancy Brown and Maurice LaMarche, both veterans of animation and voice work, understand the tonal acrobatics needed. pom poko english dub cast
Unlike the Kiki’s Delivery Service dub (which softened the text), the Pom Poko dub is remarkably faithful. The actors are allowed to be weird, loud, and sad. Brian Posehn’s Gonta doesn’t sound like a cartoon hero; he sounds like a drunk uncle crying about the woods he grew up in. That authenticity is rare. Known for his deadpan delivery in sitcoms like Just Shoot Me
The film also includes several other recognizable voices in smaller or supporting roles: Brian George Inugami Gyobu : Jess Harnell : Brian Posehn Koharu: Olivia d'Abo Otama: Russi Taylor Reporter: Mark Moseley Posehn, a lifelong fan of monster movies and
While Hayao Miyazaki’s films like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke received significant star power (featuring the likes of Christian Bale, Claire Danes, and Billy Bob Thornton), Isao Takahata’s films required a different approach. Pom Poko is an ensemble piece. It does not follow a singular "chosen one" but rather a community. Consequently, the casting directors, led by the legendary Jack Fletcher, opted for a mix of seasoned voice actors and talented character performers rather than relying solely on A-list celebrity billing.
Are you interested in learning more about the or the film's unique production history ? Pom Poko (2005 Movie) - Behind The Voice Actors
Richardson is one of the most prolific voice actors in the industry, known for his deep, gravelly, and versatile instrument. In Pom Poko , he voices multiple characters, most notably Gonta, the aggressive, hot-headed leader of the militant tanuki faction.