Moze, Argenti VA changed amid Honkai Star Rail voice actor issues

I’ve been an avid fan of HoYoverse games for quite some time now, and I’m always excited about the latest developments in their projects, like Honkai Star Rail. However, as a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel disappointed to hear that there have been issues with voice actor castings for certain characters, including Argenti and Moze.

I’d like to share some information with fellow fans. Currently, SAG-AFTRA is engaged in a prolonged labor dispute over video game voiceovers and motion capture performances. As a result, HoYoverse’s productions might be impacted by this ongoing strike.

Argenti VA changed

I was taken aback when I logged into Honkai Star Rail and discovered that Adam Michael Gold’s roles as the Argenti and Mr. Tail voice actor (Huohuo’s spirit companion) had been unexpectedly swapped out. Shock set in as I realized the characters I knew sounded different all of a sudden.

As a long-time fan of HoYoverse and its captivating universe, I’ve grown fond of the characters Argenti and Mr. Tail, voiced by Talon Warburton and Aaron Veach respectively. Their performances have added depth to these beloved figures in Genshin Impact. So, it came as a surprise when I recently visited HoYoverse’s official website and noticed that both actors were credited for different roles than those they previously held.

Chris Niosi steps down as Moze VA

Chris Niosi, voice actor, shared on X (previously known as Twitter), that he has relinquished his position as Moze in Honkai Star Rail. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, but due to personal reasons, he is unable to continue with the role, causing distress. HoYoverse acknowledged this and intends to recast the character accordingly.

Following his lengthy apology for past regrettable actions, he expressed gratitude towards MiHoYo/HoYoverse for their part in the situation.

In 2019, allegations of emotional and sexual misconduct against Niosi surfaced, leading him to eventually admit to his wrongdoings after being publicly called out on social media. He also issued a public apology. Niosi was the initial portrayal of the male character Byleth in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Heroes.

As a dedicated Nintendo fan, I was disappointed when I heard that the voice actor for Byleth in “Heroes” and “Three Houses,” Zach Aguilar, was replaced due to his breach of a non-disclosure agreement and allegations of abuse. Consequently, Nintendo swiftly recast the role and assigned it to someone else. Now, I no longer see Aguilar’s name in the credits for “Heroes,” and the Byleth character that once had Aguilar’s voice has been updated with a new voice actor in “Three Houses.”

The news about Chris Niosi voicing Moze in Honkai Star Rail sparked disagreement within the community. In response to the backlash, Sunday’s previous voice actor, Griffin Puatu, posted a message on Reddit to support Niosi.

Many people who have witnessed his transformation from being canceled, to experiencing growth and making amends, strongly support him. We’ve observed his changes firsthand. However, this perspective did not sit well with the online audience and negatively impacted one of his projects.

In the Honkai Star Rail game, Moze is anticipated to make his appearance in version 2.5, which is slated for release on September 11, 2024. During this update, it’s likely that Chris Niosi will continue voicing Moze.