Since its premiere in January, SK8 the Infinity has been receiving rave reviews. The new original anime series follows a group of skateboarders and their adventures at "S", an underground, downhill skateboarding race club held in an abandoned mine. The rules of S are simple; never talk about "S" outside of "S", and the first skater over the finish line wins.
SK8 the Infinity focuses on two high school students- Reki Kyan, a second-year high school student with a passion for skateboarding, and Langa Hasegawa, a Japanese transplant with no skateboarding experience- and their adventures at "S." The other skaters of "S" provide a colorful supporting cast: Miya Chinen, a child-prodigy skater; Joe and Cherry Blossom, two senior skaters of "S;" Shadow, a florist-by-day and tough-man-by-night; and Adam, the mysterious and undefeated Matador of Love and one of the founders of "S."
The cast and crew of SK8 the Infinity includes some familiar names for anime fans- director Hiroko Utsumi has directed titles like Banana Fish and Free!, and animation studio BONES is well known for producing shows such as My Hero Academia. The voices of SK8 the Infinity can be heard in series like My Hero Academia, Yuri!!! on Ice, and Attack on Titan. Funimation began streaming the dubbed version of the series on February 6th, meaning fans of both subs and dubs can enjoy the series right away. Here are the voice actors between both versions.
Matt Shipman and Tasuku Hatanaka as Reki
From the outside, Reki Kyan is an ordinary high schooler with a love for skateboarding; but at night, he's a member of "S." After helping transfer student Langa secure a job delivering a new skateboard to "S," the two get swept up together into the world of underground skating. Reki is determined to help Langa learn to skate, and he takes Langa under his wing to teach him everything he knows. On top of skating, Reki has a fondness for designing skateboards- he's designed a line of prototype boards for Langa in an attempt to help him turn his snowboarding background into skateboarding prowess.
In the English dub, Reki is voiced by Matt Shipman, who also voices Inasa Yoarashi in My Hero Academia, Cavendish in One Piece, and Floch Forster in Attack on Titan. Tasuku Hatanaka, who voices Reki in the Japanese series, is known for voicing Yuma Tsukumo in Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal and Denki Kaminari in My Hero Academia.
Howard Wang and Chiaki Kobayashi as Langa
Langa Hasegawa, a recent transfer student returning to Japan from Canada, is a quieter counterpart to his close friend, Reki. After winning a race at "S" with no skateboarding experience, Langa works closely with Reki to convert his snowboarding experience into skateboarding. Since the death of his father, skateboarding is the first thing to give Langa a sense of fun again. While usually calm and laid-back, Langa tends to become impulsive when it comes to skateboarding and accepting challenges at "S." He's a quick and dedicated study when it comes to skating; with the help of his fellow skaters, Langa quickly becomes popular at "S" and is gifted the nickname "Snow."
Howard Wang, who voices Langa in the English dub, is known for voicing Whitley Schnee in RWBY, and Guang-Hong Ji in Yuri!!! on Ice. Chiaki Kobayashi, from the Japanese series, has given his voice to series like Cells at Work!, Fire Force, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.
Daman Mills and Hikaru Midorikawa as Cherry Blossom
Kaoru Sakurayashiki, known as "Cherry Blossom" at "S", is known for being a logical, calculated skater and a founding member of "S." His skateboard is equipped with state-of-the-art AI, who he refers to as Carla, and his attention to detail helps him easily identify the snowboarding background behind Langa's moves. Cherry is a dedicated and competitive skater with a personal beef against Adam, another of "S"'s founding members. Despite his stern exterior, Cherry has a softer side with his friends; he shares a close friendship with Joe (when the pair aren't bickering) and quickly grows to care about Reki and Langa as the two get wrapped up in the drama of "S."
Daman Mills, Cherry Blossom's English voice actor, lends his voice to a wide variety of roles, from Moonfish and Mustard in My Hero Academia to Yakov Feltsman in Yuri!!! on Ice. His Japanese voice actor, Hikaru Midorikawa, has also played Softon in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, the Temple Demon in Demon Slayer, and Best Jeanist in My Hero Academia.
Jonah Scott and Yasunori Matsumoto as Joe
Kojiro Nanjo, or "Joe," is another skater and founding member of "S." While Joe is frequently portrayed as a gruff playboy and the "Fastest Six Pack Skater," this persona is shed quickly around those he cares about. His Italian restaurant is often used as a meeting spot amongst the skaters (despite his protests) and he is quick to dole out fatherly advice to the younger skaters- though, he has a knack for riling up the usually-stoic Cherry Blossom, who is a close childhood friend. Some, like his fellow skater Hiromi Higa, are jealous of how popular Joe is with women.
Jonah Scott, Joe's English voice actor, is known for playing Legoshi in BEASTARS, as well as appearing in series such as Attack on Titan and Kuroko's Basketball. Yasunori Matsumoto, his Japanese voice actor, has lent his voice to characters such as Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist and Eren Kruger in Attack on Titan.
Ry McKeand and Takuma Nagatsuka as Miya
Miya Chinen is a skating prodigy; at only 13, he is already a candidate for Japan's national team with a serious arsenal of tricks. After seeing Langa skate, Miya is quick to challenge him to a race while writing off Reki as a "slime." While Miya can be cocky and impertinent, the younger skater starts to warm up to Reki, Langa, and the crew as they take him in under their wing. Langa has noted that while Miya is incredibly talented when it comes to skating, it seems he no longer has fun doing it anymore- but, with a new gang of friends, Miya is starting to see the joy in skating once again. Miya also has a fondness for cats and other soft animals, which is evident in his cat-themed skating uniform.
Miya is voiced by Ry McKeand in the English series, whose voice is featured in series such as Attack on Titan, Fairy Tail, and Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun. In the Japanese series, he is voiced by Takuma Nagatsuka, who is known for voicing Koji Koda in My Hero Academia.
Chris Guerrero and Kenta Miyake as Shadow
Hiromi Higa leads a double life; at "S" he plays Lord Shadow, the anti-hero skater with a heavy rock fashion and flashy tricks, but during the day, Hiromi is a kind worker in a florist's shop who is dedicated to treating his female boss well. Though he starts off as an adversary to the younger boys, he quickly warms up to them as they work together to train and take on Adam- he even eventually gives them rides to "S" in his work vehicle and takes them out to eat.
Chris Guerrero, Shadow's English voice actor, has lent his voice to various roles in Assassination Classroom, Attack on Titan, Fairy Tail, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Kenta Miyake, Shadow's Japanese voice actor, is well-known for voicing All Might in My Hero Academia and can be found in series such as Naruto, Gurren Lagann, and Soul Eater.
David Wald and Takehito Koyasu as Adam
Ainosuke Shindo- who goes by "Adam" or "Matador of Love" at "S"- is a popular politician with a successful career. As one of the founders of "S," Adam is infamous at the races for being currently undefeated and overly flamboyant. With a slew of tricks up his sleeve that frequently leave his opponents seriously injured, challenging Adam is seen as career suicide- but for their friends, Reki and Langa don't hesitate to challenge him. Adam has been enamored with Langa since he first saw him skate, and Langa's presence at "S" has given him the motivation to compete once again. Though he's taken Miya under his guidance, Adam is dismissive and insulting to the younger skater. Ainosuke is careful to keep "S" and his public persona separate, but he often prioritizes "S" over his career.
Adam's English voice actor, David Wald, has previously voiced Hannes in Attack on Titan, Gajeel Redfox in Fairy Tail, and Keishin Ukai in Haikyuu!!. Takehito Koyasu, Adam's Japanese voice actor, has previously voiced Clayman in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Dio Brando in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, and the hand demon in Demon Slayer.