Who voices Lenneth in Valkyrie profile?
The Valkyrie Profile series is a popular role-playing video game franchise developed by tri-Ace and published by Square Enix. The first game in the series, simply titled Valkyrie Profile, was released in 1999 for the PlayStation console. The player takes on the role of Lenneth, a valkyrie sent by Odin to recruit human warriors to serve as einherjar in preparation for the final battle of Ragnarok. Lenneth is a key character in the Valkyrie Profile games and serves as the lead protagonist.
This article will provide an in-depth look at the voice actors behind the Lenneth character throughout the Valkyrie Profile series. We’ll examine both her English and Japanese voice actresses across the various games, and provide critical analysis of their voice acting performances.
English Voice Actress
In the original PlayStation 1 release of Valkyrie Profile in 2000, the English voice of Lenneth Valkyrie was provided by voice actress Lani Minella. Minella is a veteran voice actress in video games, best known for roles such as Ivy Valentine in the Soul Calibur series. She has an extensive resume in voice acting for games across multiple decades.
For the PlayStation 2 sequel Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria released in 2006, Lenneth’s English voice was performed by Michelle Ruff. Ruff has voiced numerous anime and video game characters, including Sinon in Sword Art Online, Yukari Takeba in Persona 3, and Jill Valentine in Resident Evil. She is considered one of the top voice actresses in the industry.
Both Minella and Ruff brought unique takes on voicing the complex character of Lenneth Valkyrie across the Valkyrie Profile series. Their voice acting talent helped bring Lenneth to life for English speaking fans to enjoy.
Japanese Voice Actress
In the original Japanese release of Valkyrie Profile, Lenneth Valkyrie was voiced by Shōko Kikuchi. Kikuchi brought the authoritative yet compassionate nature of Lenneth to life through her vocal performance. She helped establish Lenneth as a beloved character through emotional line reads during pivotal story moments.
For the prequel Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, Lenneth’s Japanese voice was provided by Tomoe Hanba. Hanba embraced the challenge of voicing a younger, less experienced version of Lenneth. She focused on portraying Lenneth’s growth throughout the story in a heartfelt and compelling way. Many fans praised Hanba for retaining the recognizable essence of Lenneth’s Japanese voice while also showing her increased maturity.
Both Kikuchi and Hanba are veteran voice actresses in Japan, having voiced numerous anime and video game characters over their careers. Kikuchi is known for roles such as Sailor Jupiter in Sailor Moon, while Hanba has voiced prominent characters like Sakura Kinomoto in Cardcaptor Sakura. Their expertise and experience helped bring Lenneth to life for Japanese audiences.
Sources:
https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Valkyrie-Profile-Lenneth/Lenneth-Valkyrie/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298590/
Voice Direction
Valkyrie Profile was directed by Yoshinori Yamagishi, who provided guidance to the English and Japanese voice actors to fit the context and tone of each character in the story (Source). In the original PlayStation version, there was minimal voice acting, with primary character Lenneth only having a few voiced lines. In the PSP remake Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, there was expanded voice acting featuring Lenneth’s Japanese voice actress Mamiko Noto and English voice actress Megan Hollingshead (Source). The actors were directed to portray Lenneth with an elegant, stoic, commanding tone befitting her role as a battle maiden Valkyrie.
Critical Reception
Lenneth’s voice acting received praise from critics for bringing the character to life. According to RPGamer’s review, “The voice acting, however, goes completely the opposite direction. The voice work is highly melodramatic and exaggerated, which fits the game’s Wagnerian tragedy aesthetic perfectly.” The exaggerated voice acting helped emphasize the dramatic tone of the game. Lenneth’s voice actress gave an emotional and sweeping performance that many felt made the Valkyrie seem larger than life.
Other critics felt Lenneth’s voice acting added gravitas and weight to the character. As noted by Soundtrack Central, “in my opinion… the voices of Lenneth and Arngrim are absolutely wonderful.” The voice actress was able to capture both the authority and empathy of Lenneth through her varied performance. Overall, critics found Lenneth’s voice acting memorable and felt it was essential in bringing the complex Valkyrie protagonist to life.
Memorable Voice Lines
Lenneth is known for her powerful battle cries and philosophical musings in the Valkyrie Profile series. Some of her most iconic quotes include:
“It begins.” – Uttered at the start of battles, this line conveys Lenneth’s calm focus and determination.
“Glory be to lady Valkyrie! What the gods’ will, my blade will fulfill!” – This rallying cry demonstrates Lenneth’s devotion to her duty as a Valkyrie.
“For those whom have embraced the arms of death! Now, get ready for a true fight!” – Lenneth fiercely challenges her foes in this pre-battle taunt.
Lenneth’s quotes range from confident to contemplative. She can be ruthlessly efficient when carrying out her mission, yet also philosophical about fate and the cycle of life and death. Her expansive emotional range allows her to empathize with struggling souls, sternly judge the sinful, and fiercely confront enemies. This complexity makes Lenneth one of the more nuanced and memorable heroines in video game history.
Source: http://onefandom.blogspot.com/2010/11/character-quotes.html
Voice Comparisons
The English and Japanese voices for Lenneth Valkyrie in the Valkyrie Profile series differ notably in tone and delivery. In the original PlayStation version, Lenneth’s Japanese voice by Yumi Tōma was described as “gentle yet confident,” matching Lenneth’s character as a battle maiden loyal to Odin. When the game was remade for PSP, much more voice acting was added. Megan Hollingshead voiced Lenneth in English with a deeper, more authoritative tone, while Tōma’s reprisal was lighter and more feminine.
By the time of Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, both Hollingshead and Tōma adjusted their voices. Hollingshead’s Lenneth sounded slightly less stern, while still commanding respect. Tōma’s delivery gained maturity while maintaining the softer, emotional range from the previous game. Fans note the English version captures Lenneth’s battle-hardened experience, while the Japanese portrayed more of her benevolent side. Both voice actresses brought out different qualities in Lenneth across the games.
Overall, Lenneth’s English voice evolved to be more multidimensional, while the Japanese took on more subtle shifts across the series. Both performances complemented the complex character development of one of gaming’s iconic heroines.
Lenneth’s Character
Lenneth is portrayed as a strong, dutiful Valkyrie who cares deeply for the souls she recruits as Einherjar. She has a stern yet compassionate personality and values courage and honor. Lenneth’s English voice actress, Lara Cody, brings out her authoritative nature with a deep, commanding voice that conveys the weight of Lenneth’s divine purpose. Yet there is warmth and benevolence in her tone that reflects Lenneth’s empathy and integrity. Cody’s thoughtful performance captures Lenneth’s mix of stoicism and sensitivity, bringing nuance to the Valkyrie’s multidimensional character.
In the Japanese version, Lenneth is voiced by Yumi Touma, whose elegant, feminine vocals align with Lenneth’s grace and nobility. Touma’s delicate yet unwavering voice highlights Lenneth’s inner strength and conviction. She delivers Lenneth’s lines with composure and poise, emphasizing the Valkyrie’s unshakable resolve. Both Cody’s and Touma’s portrayals tap into core aspects of Lenneth’s identity – her authority and compassion, her duty and humanity. Through their voice work, the complex spirit of this iconic Valkyrie heroine shines.
Legacy
Lenneth Valkyrie has left a lasting legacy as one of the most iconic and beloved characters in the Valkyrie Profile series. First introduced in the original Valkyrie Profile game in 1999, Lenneth’s striking design and memorably regal yet caring voice acting quickly made her a fan favorite.
Across multiple games and cameos, Lenneth has consistently ranked at or near the top in fan polls of favorite Valkyrie Profile characters. Her noble spirit, composed strength, and devotion to her duties as a Valkyrie have endeared her to RPG fans for over two decades.
While voice actress Laura Bailey originally voiced Lenneth in English, Lenneth’s voice work by veteran seiyuu Atsuko Tanaka in Japanese left an equally strong impression on fans. With future Valkyrie Profile games or remasters likely on the horizon, there is great anticipation among fans to hear Lenneth brought to life once more by her iconic voice actresses.
Conclusion
Lenneth is a beloved character in the Valkyrie Profile series, and a big part of her appeal lies in her distinctive voice. Both her English and Japanese voice actresses brought something special to the role. Laura Bailey captured Lenneth’s stoic yet caring nature, while Tomo Sakurai highlighted her intensity and divine power. Their voice direction struck the right balance between vulnerability and strength. Lenneth’s voice contains just the right mix of compassion, duty, ferocity and grace. Her memorable battle cries and iconic lines have stayed with fans over the years. While Lenneth’s voice has evolved across titles, the actresses have maintained the core qualities that make her voice so integral to the character. In the end, Lenneth’s voice reinforces her status as a commanding yet sympathetic battle maiden. It is an unforgettable part of her legacy.