Ever get that weird feeling of déjà vu while playing an RPG? You’re wandering through the snow in Octopath Traveler II, and suddenly the scholar, Osvald, opens his mouth. You think, "Wait, I know that guy." He sounds like he’s gargling gravel and ancient justice.
It’s Alejandro Saab.
Most people know him as the flamboyant Yuri from Fire Emblem: Three Houses or the high-energy Cyno from Genshin Impact. But in Octopath, he’s doing this deep, mourning baritone that honestly sounds nothing like his usual "KaggyFilms" persona. It's jarring in the best way. That’s the magic of the Octopath Traveler voice actors—Square Enix didn't just hire big names; they hired people who could actually transform.
The original eight: Setting the bar
When the first game dropped in 2018, the English dub was a bit of a gamble. JRPGs can be hit or miss with localization. But the casting for the original eight was kind of a masterstroke.
👉 See also: Is the Console Xbox One X Still Worth It in 2026? What You Need to Know
Take Patrick Seitz as Olberic. The guy is a legend. You've heard him as Scorpion in Mortal Kombat and Endeavor in My Hero Academia. He brings this "unbending" weight to Olberic that makes the Warrior’s quest for redemption feel heavy. On the flip side, you had Cristina Vee as Ophilia. She’s the voice of Rayne in Bloodstained and Velvet Crowe in Tales of Berseria. Her Ophilia is soft, sure, but there's a spine of steel in her delivery that keeps the character from being a boring "damsel" trope.
Then there’s H’aanit. Voiced by Cindy Robinson, who is literally Amy Rose from Sonic. Watching her switch from a pink hedgehog to a stoic huntress speaking "Middle English-ish" is enough to give anyone whiplash.
Who played who in the first journey?
- Olberic Eisenberg: Patrick Seitz (The baritone king)
- Cyrus Albright: Steve West (Who sounds remarkably scholarly)
- Tressa Colzione: Fryda Wolff (Pure chaotic merchant energy)
- Ophilia Clement: Cristina Vee (Soft but sturdy)
- Primrose Azelhart: Laura Post (The "alluring" voice of revenge)
- Alfyn Greengrass: Greg Chun (The small-town apothecary you’d trust with your life)
- Therion: Chris Niosi (The cynical thief)
- H’aanit: Cindy Robinson (The hunter with the complicated grammar)
The sequel and the "Fire Emblem" connection
By the time Octopath Traveler II rolled around in 2023, the production value went through the roof. If you’re a fan of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the sequel felt like a family reunion.
Erica Mendez (Bernadetta) plays Throné.
Alejandro Saab (Yuri) plays Osvald.
Xanthe Huynh (Marianne) plays Agnea.
The range here is actually insane. Xanthe Huynh is famous for playing "cinnamon roll" characters who are tired or depressed. As Agnea, she’s this beaming, hopeful tavern dancer. If you played her chapters, you know she has this slight country twang that makes the Leaflands feel real. It’s a complete 180 from her role as Marianne.
The standout: Partitio Yellowil
If there’s one performance that stole the show, it’s Jas Patrick as Partitio. Honestly, playing a merchant who wants to "eliminate the scent of poverty" could have been incredibly cheesy. But Jas Patrick leans into this 1920s-style, optimistic "can-do" cowboy energy that is infectious.
He makes you want to care about steam engines and trade routes. That’s hard to do.
The Japanese cast: Heavy hitters only
While the English dub is fantastic, some purists swear by the Japanese audio. It’s hard to argue when the credits look like a "Who’s Who" of the anime industry.
In the first game, you had Tomokazu Seki as Alfyn. This is the guy who voiced Gilgamesh in Fate/stay night. Imagine the King of Heroes trying to heal a sick kid with some weeds he found in the woods. It's brilliant.
For the sequel, they pulled out the big guns:
- Akira Ishida as Temenos (The voice of Gaara from Naruto).
- Aya Hirano as Ochette (The legendary Haruhi Suzumiya).
- Joji Nakata as Osvald (Alucard from Hellsing).
Hearing Joji Nakata growl "Mugen" (the Japanese version of Osvald's "Harvey!") is basically a spiritual experience for voice acting nerds.
Why it matters for your playthrough
Voice acting in Octopath isn't just "flavor." It’s actually essential for the game's "Traveler Alt" system. Because the stories are told in silos, the voices are the primary way the characters feel like they inhabit the same world.
When Jordan Dash Cruz (Temenos) and Stephen Fu (Crick) banter, the chemistry is what keeps you invested in the Cleric’s investigation. Without that specific, snarky delivery from Jordan, Temenos might just come off as a jerk. Instead, he’s a lovable, truth-seeking nuisance.
A look at the new frontier: Octopath Traveler 0
In the most recent discussions around the series, specifically with Octopath Traveler 0, fans have been debating the "silent protagonist" versus full voice acting.
Some players found the voice of the male protagonist in the demo a bit grating, while others missed the distinct 8-character ensemble. There’s even been some controversy about "Lebrandt the Attendant" sounding a bit like AI-generated speech. It’s a reminder that as much as we love high-fidelity graphics, the human element of a voice performance is what actually anchors the drama.
How to appreciate the cast even more
If you want to get the most out of these performances, try these three things:
- Switch languages mid-game: You can do this in the settings menu at any time. If a specific chapter feels too "anime," the English dub might ground it. If it feels too "western," the Japanese cast adds that classic RPG flair.
- Listen to the "Traveler Banter": These are the small, optional conversations between party members. They aren't fully voiced in the first game, but they are in the second. This is where the Octopath Traveler voice actors really show off their character chemistry.
- Check the credits for NPCs: A lot of the main cast plays double duty. For example, Cristina Vee voices the owl, Mahina, in Ochette’s story. It’s fun to spot the "cameos."
The voice work is what turns these 2D sprites into living, breathing people with tragic backstories and hope. Whether you’re listening to Osvald’s roar of vengeance or Partitio’s hopeful drawl, the talent behind the mic is the secret sauce that makes this series a modern classic.
Your next move: Open up the "Journal" in your current save file and re-watch a cutscene from a character you don't usually use. Focus on the subtle voice inflections—especially in the late-game chapters where the stakes get high. You might find a new favorite traveler just by listening closer.