From Stage to Studio An Interview with Jonah Scott On Beastars, Demon Slayer, And What’s Next
Jonah Scott is leaning into the microphone, his voice a low, textured rumble that feels both intimately familiar and slightly dangerous. For over a decade, Scott has been the secret weapon of the voice acting circuit, a theater-trained chameleon who has successfully bridged the gap between the greasepaint of the stage and the digital glow of the recording booth.
In 2019, he became the soul of the zeitgeist when he landed the role of Legoshi, the brooding, hyper-sensitive wolf at the center of Netflix’s Beastars. Since then, his trajectory has been vertical. From a pivotal, gravelly turn in the record-breaking Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 to his digital residency as the Vtuber Alpha Aniki, Scott is redefining what it means to be a “character actor” in the 21st century.
We sat down with Scott to talk about the death of his most famous role, the thrill of playing the villain, and why he’s building a digital empire of his own.
The Meisner in the Machine
Scott’s origin story doesn’t start in a basement with a cheap USB mic; it starts on the stage. He spent 20 years in the theater, beginning at the age of eight under the tutelage of Joe and Amy Moss in Northern Kentucky.
“They pride themselves on making acting accessible,” Scott says. “I was learning incredibly complicated collegiate academic acting techniques, but through children’s games. I was doing the Meisner technique through ‘Monkey See, Monkey Do’ before I even knew what the word meant.”
Despite his pedigree—which includes everything from opera to high-concept flash mobs—Scott found himself drifting toward the medium he actually consumed: anime and video games. “I never really considered that those were cast as actors,” he admits. “I lived in this theater world. Then I saw panels at conventions and realized I could take the skills I’d fostered for 20 years and pivot. My voice was flexible. Even my League of Legends teammates would tell me I sounded exactly like the heroes I was playing.”
The Wolf Within
For five years, Scott’s identity was inextricably linked to Legoshi. As Beastars draws to a close, Scott reflects on the character not as a cartoon, but as a mirror.
“Legoshi became more like me as I grew up,” Scott reflects. “We share the struggle—the anxiety, the depression, the difficulty making friends. It’s a human story told through an anthropomorphic lens. Unless you’re under 16—in which case, stop watching—you can relate to it. It’s a coming-of-age story about hormones and self-discovery.”
While some dismiss the show as “HBO Zootopia,” Scott sees the depth in the grit. “I put so much of myself in him that it’s tough to say goodbye. But it’s not as bittersweet as you’d think. I’m sad for the loss of work, but I’m glad it’s over because the story ended where it should. It’s a happy ending.”
Embracing the Dark Side
Scott’s latest turn in the Demon Slayer universe as Kokushibo, the Upper Rank 1 demon, represents a full-circle moment. It’s the kind of role that allows him to tap into the “anime villain voice” he used to practice on the schoolyard.
“I didn’t think I would be cast,” he says candidly. “Kokushibo is incredibly layered. I used a voice inspired by the greats—a little Madara Uchiha, a little Dan Green. I knew the backstory, I’d read the manga. Some actors don’t like to read ahead, but if the material is out there, I want to consume it. I don’t want to do the fans a disservice.”
“I could think of seven guys immediately who would do just as good as me, if not better. They rolled the dice on me, and I just hope to give the fans what they want.”
The Digital Frontier: Alpha Aniki
While his voice belongs to major studios, Scott’s heart belongs to his own creation: Alpha Aniki. His foray into Vtubing wasn’t just a hobby; it was a grab for creative autonomy.
“I’ve been a streamer since I was 17,” Scott explains. “But as a voice actor, I realized I don’t own any of the characters I voice. Not at all. It’s nice to have something that’s mine.”
Alpha Aniki is more than an avatar; it’s a multimedia project involving a team of ten artists, a graphic novel, and original music. The story deals with heavy themes—AI, grief, and the “fish out of water” experience of your twenties. “It was about me wanting to tell a story and have a creative outlet that’s more than just tabletop gaming. It’s a sandbox for me and other creators to play in.”
As he looks toward a future that includes five unannounced video games and a burning desire to voice Nightwing, Jonah Scott isn’t just following a script. He’s writing his own.
