The release of a new Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm game rarely makes waves on the internet. It's not a knock on them, it's just how it is. These relatively niche fighting games cater to a certain subset of fighting game fans that, while they're still numbering in the millions, never really make that much of a fuss. But, the thing about catering to these fans is that they demand a level of consistency and quality in their games, which, according to some, the latest entry just couldn't meet. Specifically, Naruto X Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections has kicked up controversy around some of the English voice acting in the game. Apparently, several lines delivered by prominent characters feature unnaturally stilted reads or jarring tonal shifts, leading to accusations of AI manipulation.
In one much-scrutinized clip, the iconic hero Naruto utters the phrase "wake you up" with a sudden pitch change that's distinctly out of character. Fans swiftly unearthed older recordings of the same line reading from previous franchise entries, highlighting a stark difference in quality and delivery.
English voice actress Maile Flanagan, who has portrayed Naruto across various properties since 2005, assured she did not perform the suspect read in that manner. Flanagan noted neither she nor any director attached to the Naruto IP would have approved such an delivery. Her assurances throw into question how certain questionable line reads ended up in the final game.
Further investigation and comparison revealed other characters likewise received odd new takes on familiar voiceover lines that had been competently delivered in earlier Naruto games. Most egregiously, the distinct shift in pronunciation of the word "god" in one attack shout stands out as a glaring discrepancy.