Anyone know what happened to the voice actress for Excel?

EvaXephon · Post by **EvaXephon** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:35 pm

Sorry for the topic title, but that was all I could fit.

In the anime Excel Saga, about halfway through the anime, in episode 15, the voice actress for the main character changes from Jessica Colvello to Larissa Wolcott. Excel (the character) talks super fast (sometimes annoyingly so) and both these actresses could do it, but their voices sound different and it nearly ruins the experience!

ADV had this to say about it on their website:

[Description of anime]...With all that going on, it’s a good thing there is a strong cast behind the zaniness. It starts with Jessica Colvello in the role of Excel. This particular role proved to be so taxing that a second actress was brought in to finish recording. Larissa Wolcott came in just as fired up as Jessica and helps finish the series with a splash. Combined, these actresses redefine the term energetic and create a character that is quite memorable...

...What?! I think that they are trying to make it sound as if having to replace the voice actor makes the anime even better. Jessica did a better job! Why did she leave?! Does anyone know?

Also, aren't voice actors locked in a contract, so they can't just quit in the middle of production like that? I mean, if that's true, then something big must have happened for her to just disappear.

...And, ah, please don't turn this into a "HA! THAT IS WHY SUB IS BETTER THAN DUB!" topic...I'm asking about Jessica Colvello and if someone really can just quit if they want to.

(P.S. - Same thing happened with the voice actress for Casca in Berserk. Anyone know about that, either?)

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:37 pm

I remember reading somewhere (it was probably either www.animenewsnetwork.com or www.animeondvd.com ) that Jessica Calvello actually got so into her role as Excel that she damaged her vocal cords (given Excel's voice, I can see that) and had to drop out.

Charizard305 · Post by **Charizard305** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:41 pm

She went on to be the Voice actor for Poemi-Chan in Puni Puni Poemi

Karou_ken · Post by **Karou_ken** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:44 pm

I always wondered what happened. They just changed Excel's voice like in the third volume and for the rest of the seires. Which kinda sucked. Oh well.

EvaXephon · Post by **EvaXephon** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:51 pm

...Woah...I did a search with that information and it turned out that yes, Jessica Calvello threw herself so wholeheartedly into recreating Mitsuishi's screechy chatter that she damaged her vocal chords. Her doctor told her that she had to quit or they woul dbe permanently damaged, so I guess that means she's okay. Well, if that's the case, then I can accept what's happened.

I probably should have looked for this info before posting here, but thanks for replying anyway, people @.@;

Ari-chan · Post by **Ari-chan** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:52 pm

I personally liked Larissa Wolcott just as much as Jessica Colvello. Although I did always wonder why the change.

Harlock7876 · Post by **Harlock7876** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:53 pm

Scintilla wrote:I remember reading somewhere (it was probably either www.animenewsnetwork.com or www.animeondvd.com ) that Jessica Calvello actually got so into her role as Excel that she damaged her vocal cords (given Excel's voice, I can see that) and had to drop out.

That's correct. She was under a lot of pressure with getting the recording done on time and then damaged her vocal cords. I came to a conclusion that it was the fault of the fans for wanting more and that carried over to ADV and whoever runs the show to speed up production and Ms. Calvello is the one that suffered. Oh well.

angelx03 · Post by **angelx03** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:58 pm

Charizard305 wrote:She went on to be the Voice actor for Poemi-Chan in Puni Puni Poemi

Though it was Cynthia Martinez who played Poemi.

Charizard305 · Post by **Charizard305** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:04 pm

It probebly is, i was just being stupid cause Poemi always said that she wanted to be a voice actor and that the creator of Escel Saga and Puni Puni Poemi were one in the same

I say stupid random things like alot.

oldwrench · Post by **oldwrench** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:07 pm

At Anime Detour Con, we asked Monica Rial about this, she was one of the other characters. She said the production schedual was tight and they were all working hard. Ms Cavello damaged her voice doing the wild parts of Excel, and was told by the doctor that she had to take several months off. ADV was reluctant to change actresses but was force to, to meet their commitment. Monica told us Ms. Wolcott was exactly the opposite personality of Excel, calm and layed back, but when she got in the sound booth she got right into character, wild and crazy.