Sebastian Michaelis in Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji) is voiced by Daisuke Ono in the original Japanese version and J. Michael Tatum in the English dub. Ono’s smooth and elegant performance helped define Sebastian as one of anime’s most iconic supernatural characters, while Tatum’s theatrical and sophisticated English portrayal became equally beloved among international fans. (behindthevoiceactors.com)

Daisuke Ono – Japanese Voice of Sebastian Michaelis

Date of Birth

May 4, 1978

About Daisuke

Daisuke Ono is a Japanese voice actor, narrator, and singer affiliated with Mausu Promotion. Over the course of his career, he has become one of the most recognizable male voice actors in anime, known for his deep vocal delivery, calm charisma, and emotionally powerful performances.

As Sebastian Michaelis in Black Butler, Ono delivered one of the most iconic performances of his career. Sebastian’s refined manners, dry humor, terrifying demonic power, and unwavering loyalty to Ciel Phantomhive required a performance capable of balancing elegance with menace. Ono’s smooth vocal delivery became inseparable from the character’s identity and helped establish Sebastian as one of anime’s defining gothic antiheroes.

Fans frequently praised his chemistry with Maaya Sakamoto’s Ciel Phantomhive, particularly during the anime’s emotionally tense and psychologically layered scenes.

Outside of Black Butler, Ono is internationally famous for major roles in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Attack on Titan, and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Hometown

Kōchi Prefecture, Japan

Career Highlights

  • Sebastian Michaelis — Black Butler
  • Jotaro Kujo — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
  • Erwin Smith — Attack on Titan
  • Itsuki Koizumi — The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
  • Shizuo Heiwajima — Durarara!!
  • Sinbad — Magi
  • Battler Ushiromiya — Umineko: When They Cry
  • William Vangeance — Black Clover

Full Current Filmography

The following list reflects documented anime, film, music, and game credits from publicly available industry sources and may not be exhaustive.

Television Anime

  • Black Butler — Sebastian Michaelis
  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure — Jotaro Kujo
  • Attack on Titan — Erwin Smith
  • Durarara!! — Shizuo Heiwajima
  • The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya — Itsuki Koizumi
  • Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic — Sinbad
  • Black Clover — William Vangeance
  • Working!! — Jun Satō
  • Kuroko’s Basketball — Shintaro Midorima’s father (supporting appearances)
  • Noragami — Daikoku
  • Bungo Stray Dogs — Ace
  • Blue Exorcist — Arthur Auguste Angel

Anime Films

  • Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic — Sebastian Michaelis
  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure film and OVA projects — Jotaro Kujo
  • Attack on Titan compilation films — Erwin Smith
  • Durarara!! special releases — Shizuo Heiwajima
  • Magi related projects — Sinbad

Video Games

  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle — Jotaro Kujo
  • Black Butler game adaptations — Sebastian Michaelis
  • Granblue Fantasy — Various Roles
  • Fate/Grand Order — Additional Characters
  • Attack on Titan game projects — Erwin Smith

Critical Reception

Daisuke Ono’s portrayal of Sebastian Michaelis received widespread acclaim for its elegance, composure, and subtle menace. Fans frequently highlighted how effectively he balanced Sebastian’s polite sophistication with the darker demonic qualities hidden beneath the character’s flawless exterior.

His performance is widely regarded as one of the defining elements of Black Butler and helped make Sebastian one of the most recognizable anime characters of the 2000s.

Our Sources

J. Michael Tatum – English Voice of Sebastian Michaelis

Aug 8, 2025 Animate! Orlando

Date of Birth

May 25, 1976

About J. Michael

J. Michael Tatum is an American voice actor, ADR director, and scriptwriter widely regarded as one of the most distinctive performers in English anime dubbing. Known for his articulate delivery, theatrical range, and emotionally intelligent performances, he has voiced many of the most memorable characters in modern anime localization.

As the English voice of Sebastian Michaelis in Black Butler, Tatum delivered one of the most celebrated performances of his career. Sebastian’s refined speech, dark humor, intimidating authority, and demonic elegance required a highly controlled performance style, and Tatum’s sophisticated delivery became a defining part of the English adaptation.

Fans frequently praised his chemistry with Brina Palencia’s Ciel Phantomhive, especially during scenes balancing gothic drama, psychological tension, and dark comedy. His portrayal helped establish Sebastian as one of the most iconic English-dubbed anime characters of the late 2000s and 2010s.

Outside of Black Butler, Tatum is also internationally famous for major roles in Steins;Gate, My Hero Academia, and Spice and Wolf.

Hometown

McKinney, Texas, United States

Career Highlights

  • Sebastian Michaelis — Black Butler
  • Okabe Rintaro — Steins;Gate
  • Tenya Iida — My Hero Academia
  • Kraft Lawrence — Spice and Wolf
  • Kyoya Ootori — Ouran High School Host Club
  • Tomoe — Kamisama Kiss
  • Scar — Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
  • Erwin Smith — Attack on Titan (early productions and related media)

Full Current Filmography

The following list reflects documented English dub acting, directing, and writing credits from publicly available industry sources and may not be exhaustive.

Television Anime

  • Black Butler — Sebastian Michaelis
  • Steins;Gate — Rintaro Okabe
  • My Hero Academia — Tenya Iida
  • Spice and Wolf — Kraft Lawrence
  • Ouran High School Host Club — Kyoya Ootori
  • Kamisama Kiss — Tomoe
  • Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood — Scar
  • Attack on Titan — Erwin Smith (early media appearances)
  • Fairy Tail — Freed Justine
  • Soul Eater — Death the Kid
  • Noragami — Kuraha
  • One Piece — Additional Voices

Anime Films

  • Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic — Sebastian Michaelis
  • Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vu — Rintaro Okabe
  • My Hero Academia film series — Tenya Iida
  • Fullmetal Alchemist film releases — Scar
  • Ouran High School Host Club related projects — Kyoya Ootori

Video Games

  • Steins;Gate game series — Rintaro Okabe
  • My Hero One’s Justice — Tenya Iida
  • Black Butler game adaptations — Sebastian Michaelis
  • SMITE anime collaboration appearances
  • Fairy Tail game adaptations — Freed Justine

ADR Writing & Direction

J. Michael Tatum has also contributed extensively behind the scenes in anime localization.

Notable ADR and script adaptation work includes:

  • Steins;Gate
  • Black Butler
  • Spice and Wolf
  • Ghost Hunt
  • D.Gray-man

Critical Reception

J. Michael Tatum’s portrayal of Sebastian Michaelis received widespread acclaim for its elegance, theatrical sophistication, and emotional control. Fans frequently highlighted how effectively he balanced Sebastian’s charming butler persona with the character’s darker demonic nature.

His performance is often regarded as one of the greatest English dub portrayals in anime and remains one of the defining elements of the Black Butler English adaptation.

Our Sources

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Published by mayciballesteros03

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