The Transition from Charles Martinet to Kevin Afghani
After 29 years of iconic voice acting as Mario, Luigi, and Wario, Charles Martinet, aged 67, decided to step back from the roles in August.
Nintendo, recognizing his immense contribution, announced that he would become an ambassador for the video game giant.
This marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the beloved characters.
Introducing Kevin Afghani: The New Voice of Mario
Stepping into the shoes of these beloved characters is Kevin Afghani, a 26-year-old US actor.
Afghani is no stranger to lending his voice to virtual worlds, having previously provided his talent for Dragon Ball R&R and Anime Penguin:
Red Snow, both of which are internet role-play games.
While his video game experience thus far has been limited to 2020’s Genshin Impact, the opportunity to become the voice of Mario represents a significant breakthrough in his career.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder: The Debut Game
One of Afghani’s first assignments as the new voice of Mario is to lend his vocals to “Super Mario Bros.
Wonder,” a highly anticipated game set for release on Friday, October 20, exclusively on Nintendo Switch. This game will mark his first major contribution to the gaming world.
Kevin Afghani’s Expanding Role
Afghani’s voice won’t be limited to the game alone; it will also extend to advertisements and spin-offs within the extensive multi-platform Mario universe.
The official announcement regarding this transition was made on October 13.
Kevin Afghani’s Response to the Opportunity
In response to this exciting career development, Kevin Afghani took to Twitter to express his pride and gratitude:
“Incredibly proud to have voiced Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Thanks to Nintendo for inviting me into the Flower Kingdom!”
He also thanked his fans for their positive reactions, showing his appreciation for the support he has received.
The Evolution of Mario’s Voice
The role of Mario’s voice has evolved over the years, with Charles Martinet famously taking on the role in 1994 after an impromptu audition.
Martinet, a Nintendo legend, has been a voice actor for the company since 1981. However, various actors have lent their voices to Mario in different contexts.
For instance, in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Chris Pratt voiced Mario, while Charlie Day portrayed Luigi and Anya Taylor-Joy played Princess Peach.
The transition to Kevin Afghani marks another significant milestone in the character’s rich history.
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