Ninja Gaiden 4 Voice Cast Revealed – Who’s Behind Every Character in NG 4 Biggest 2025’s Ninja Game
Ninja Gaiden 4 finally dropped on October 21st, 2025, and the hype is real. Team Ninja and PlatinumGames teamed up for this one, bringing back the brutal action the series is known for while introducing fresh faces alongside legendary series hero Ryu Hayabusa. But here’s what’s getting major praise beyond the combat, the voice acting is absolutely stellar.
From newcomers stepping into major roles to veterans bringing fan-favorite characters back to life, the cast is surprisingly diverse. Whether you’re curious about who’s voicing new protagonist Yakumo or wondering who took over for Ryu Hayabusa, we’ve got the full breakdown.
The New Blood
Steven Pringle as Yakumo
Yakumo’s our new main character, a young ninja prodigy from the Raven clan whose fate gets tangled up with Ryu Hayabusa himself. He’s got this signature Bloodraven Form ability that manipulates blood to create massive weapons and unleash devastating Bloodbath Kill attacks. Pretty metal.
Steven Pringle voices Yakumo, and here’s the interesting part, he’s not some veteran voice actor with decades of game credits. Pringle’s background is mostly animated shows, commercials, and web series. This is his first time leading a major game, which is honestly a bold choice. But early reviews say he absolutely crushed it, bringing that youthful intensity mixed with the weight of destiny that Yakumo needs.
Mike Stoudt as Ryu Hayabusa
The legendary Ryu Hayabusa returns with his classic moves like Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow, and Mike Stoudt brings him to life. If you’re wondering “who?” that’s kind of the point with Stoudt, he’s been working under the radar for years.
The man’s got serious range though. He’s appeared in films like The Valet, The Hate U Give, and American Animals. On the voiceover side, he’s done commercials for Warby Parker, promo work for AMC’s Talking Dead, and even voiced Cap’n Crunch variations. Plus he spent 21 years in radio before transitioning to full-time voice and on-camera work in 2014. He runs the Atlanta Voiceover Studio with his wife, so he knows his craft. That warm but capable energy he brings? Perfect for Hayabusa’s stoic warrior vibe.
THE NINJA GAIDEN 4 CAST
| Character | English Voice Actor | Japanese Voice Actor |
|---|---|---|
Key Players in the Story
Ava Maria Safai as Seori
Seori’s the princess who sealed away the Dark Dragon, which is kind of a big deal considering the entire plot revolves around whether she should die to fulfill a prophecy or live because she’s the only one who can break the seals imprisoning the Dark Dragon. No pressure.
Ava Maria Safai voices her, and she’s not just a voice actor. Safai’s a singer and songwriter who’s worked on projects like ZIP, Foreigner, and Inhuman/e. That musical background probably helps with the emotional range Seori needs, especially in those intense story moments.
Billy Reid as Misaki/Achilles
The antagonist of Ninja Gaiden 4 goes by Misaki or Achilles, and he’s played by Billy Reid. Here’s what makes this casting interesting, Reid’s experience has mostly been behind the scenes. He’s an executive producer for the animated series Pancake Manor. This is literally his first time stepping into the spotlight as the face (or voice) of a game, and he’s playing the main villain. Talk about jumping into the deep end.
The Raven Clan
Elizabeth Tsong voices Umi, the comms specialist for the Raven clan. She’s best known for her work in Tuttle Twins, and like several others in this cast, Ninja Gaiden 4 marks her first major role. The game seems to have given opportunities to fresh talent, which is pretty cool.
Bradley Duffy plays Tyran, the Raven Clan’s combat master who teaches you everything about fighting and helps unlock the skill system. Duffy’s got more experience than some of the newcomers, he appeared as Ian Tyler in Another Code: Recollection, plus series like Marvel Super Hero Adventures, Family Law, and Lego Jurassic Park: The Unofficial Retelling. Solid resume for a mentor character.
Interestingly enough, Duffy also voices Muramasa, the legendary weapon smith and merchant who helps Yakumo and Ryu with gear throughout the game. Playing two completely different characters and making them both feel distinct? That shows serious talent.
Fan Favorites Return
Alma Sarai as Ayane
Ayane returns from previous Ninja Gaiden entries, and she’s still a fan favorite. The role goes to Alma Sarai, who’s fascinating because when she’s not voicing characters, she’s an arts advocate dedicated to arts education for young people. That passion for creative work probably translates into her performance.
The Opposition
Sean Hogan as Kagachi
Kagachi’s the Supreme Commander of the Divine Dragon Order, and going up against him is apparently a nightmare. His intimidating presence comes courtesy of Sean Hogan, another talented actor making waves in the game.
The D.D.O. Forces
Chris M. Ward voices the D.D.O. Officers you’ll fight throughout your journey. He’s a seasoned veteran who previously voiced Forehand in Crime Boss: Rockay City and Mammott in the TV series My Singing Monsters: Fandemonium. Not the flashiest credits maybe, but he knows how to bring enemy characters to life.
Trevor McCarley handles both D.D.O. Soldiers (your standard fodder) and D.D.O. Commanders (the buffed versions). McCarley actually works at PlatinumGames, so this might be an internal casting situation. Either way, he’s voicing a ton of the enemies you’ll be slicing through.
Boss Battles and Beyond
Ami Matsushima as Kitsune Courtesan
The Kitsune Courtesan is a daemon who’s been subdued by Seori to guard one of the Dark Dragon Shrines. She’s got unlimited power within her domain and can unleash hell with material illusions. When you’re getting obliterated by her on Master Ninja difficulty, remember that Ami Matsushima provides her Japanese voice. She’s a newcomer to the industry with only a few TV series under her belt, but her future looks bright.
Go Fuji as Kurobo
Kurobo’s another boss capable of annihilating you, especially on higher difficulties. His Japanese voice comes from Go Fuji, who’s famous for roles in Kamen Rider Yuki and Mirror Monsters. He’s legitimately one of the best Japanese voice actors out there, so having him for a major boss fight makes sense.
What Makes This Cast Work
Here’s the thing about Ninja Gaiden 4’s voice cast, it’s not stacked with immediately recognizable AAA game voice actors. You’re not seeing Nolan North, Troy Baker, or Jennifer Hale here (though Troy Baker did voice Ryu in the 2004 Ninja Gaiden).
Instead, Team Ninja and PlatinumGames went with a mix of fresh talent, character actors from film and TV, commercial voiceover professionals, and some Japanese voice acting veterans. It’s an unconventional approach that somehow works because the performances feel grounded and intense rather than overly polished or theatrical.
The newcomers like Steven Pringle stepping into lead roles bring fresh energy. The film and TV actors like Mike Stoudt bring naturalistic performances. The Japanese voice talent like Go Fuji and Ami Matsushima add authenticity to the cultural elements. Bradley Duffy pulling double duty shows versatility.
The Game Itself
For context, Ninja Gaiden 4 takes place in a near-future Tokyo that’s been drenched in cursed rain from the Dark Dragon’s husk coiled around the city. The rain causes the land to overlap with the underworld, creating this rainy cyberpunk aesthetic. It’s dark, brutal, and maintains the series’ signature difficulty with Master Ninja mode while offering customizable difficulty for newcomers.
The collaboration between Team Ninja (who developed the series) and PlatinumGames (known for Bayonetta, NieR: Automata) came about through connections between Koei Tecmo president Hisashi Koinuma and PlatinumGames CEO Atsushi Inaba, with support from Xbox’s Phil Spencer. Xbox Game Studios published it, and it launched on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, available day one on Game Pass.
Early reviews call the combat stellar, the graphics stunning, and the gameplay addictive. But that voice acting? Getting consistent praise for amping up the immersion.
Final Thoughts
The voice cast for Ninja Gaiden 4 represents a different approach to game voice acting. Instead of relying entirely on the usual suspects, they took chances on newer talent while mixing in experienced character actors and Japanese voice acting pros.
Does it work? Based on early reactions, absolutely. The performances feel authentic and intense, matching the brutal, fast-paced action without feeling overdone. Steven Pringle carries the weight of leading a major franchise revival. Mike Stoudt brings gravitas to Ryu Hayabusa. Ava Maria Safai delivers the emotional complexity Seori needs. Billy Reid makes Misaki/Achilles genuinely threatening.
Whether you’re here for the returning characters like Ayane or excited to meet Yakumo and the Raven clan, the voices bringing these ninjas to life are putting in serious work. Pretty solid casting choices if you ask me, especially for a game that had to balance nostalgia with pushing the franchise forward.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a Master Ninja difficulty run calling my name.
