Jefferson Utanes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jefferson Seril Utanes (1979-06-09)June 9, 1979 |
| Died | December 16, 2025(2025-12-16) (aged 46) Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Resting place | Providence Memorial Park, Antipolo, Rizal |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1997–2025 |
| Employers |
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| Spouse | Catherine Feliciano |
| Children | 2 |
Jefferson Seril Utanes (June 9, 1979 – December 16, 2025) was a Filipino voice actor. He had provided voices for Filipino-language versions of Japanese anime series, cartoons, films and live-action programs from overseas. He was widely recognised as the second voice of Goku in the Dragon Ball franchise, replacing Nesty Ramirez, and he was nicknamed "Goku ng Pinas" (Goku of the Philippines).
Utanes had also voiced the titular character of Doraemon, Kogoro Mouri and Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya in Detective Conan, Professor Oak and James in Pokémon, Syaoran Li in Cardcaptor Sakura, Kouya Marino in Crush Gear Turbo, Yami Yugi in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, Kyon in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Kei Takishima in Special A, Germany and America in Hetalia: Axis Powers, Ryōta Kise in Kuroko's Basketball, Ben Tennyson, Kevin Levin, and Vilgax in Ben 10, Mr. Krabs in SpongeBob SquarePants, Hisoka in Hunter × Hunter, Ryomen Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen, Tenya Ida in My Hero Academia, and Ken "Okarun" Takakura in Dandadan.
Career
In February 2024, Utanes expressed criticism on the House bill filed by then-Negros Occidental's 3rd congressional district representative Jose Francisco Benitez that bans Filipino dubbing on foreign shows and films. He asserted that the Philippine voice acting industry is responsible for translating and dubbing foreign programs and films for the mass audience so they can understand the original context.[1]
Personal life
Utanes was married to Catherine Feliciano, and they had two sons.[2]
Illness and death
Utanes died on December 16, 2025. He was diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease.[3]
Filmography
Voice acting
Animation
| Original year[a] | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979–2024 | Doraemon | Doraemon | Also include the Stand by Me Doraemon films | |
| 1996–2025 | Detective Conan | Kogoro Mouri, Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya, Ninzaburo Shiratori | ||
| 1998–2000 | Cardcaptor Sakura | Syaoran Li | ABS-CBN dub version | |
| 1999–2025 | SpongeBob SquarePants | Mr. Krabs, French Narrator, Realistic Fish Head, Kevin C. Cucumber, Flying Dutchman, Man Ray, Perch Perkins, Bubble Bass, Flats Flounder, Patchy the Pirate | Western animation | |
| 2000–04 | Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters | Yami Yugi, Noah | ||
| 2001–03 | Crush Gear Turbo | Kouya Marino | [4] | |
| 2004–06 | Yakitate!! Japan | Narrator, Shigeru Kanmuri, Ken Matsushiro | ||
| 2004–08 | Yu-Gi-Oh! GX | Sean Banzaime (Jun Manjoume) | ||
| 2006 | We Were There | Motoharu "Moto" Yano | ||
| 2006–08 | D.Gray-man | Allen Walker | ||
| 2006; 2009 | The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya | Kyon, Arakawa | [3] | |
| 2008 | Special A | Kei Takishima | ||
| 2009–10 | Metal Fight Beyblade | Ginga Hagane | ||
| 2011–17 | Mickey Mouse Clubhouse | Mickey Mouse, Goofy | TV5 dub | |
| 2012–15 | Kuroko's Basketball | Narrator, Ryōta Kise, Ryō Sakurai | Also served as ADR director | |
| 2013–14 | Free! | Seijūrō Mikoshiba, Momotarou Mikoshiba, Sōsuke Yamazaki | Seasons 1–2; also served as ADR director | [4] |
| 2014–15 | Your Lie in April | Kousei Arima | [2] | |
| 2016–25 | My Hero Academia | Tenya Ida | Season 2 | [2] |
| 2020–21 | Jujutsu Kaisen | Ryomen Sukuna | Season 1 | |
| 2024–25 | Dandadan | Ken "Okarun" Takakura | Seasons 1–2; final role | [5] |
Announcer
| Year | Title | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Family Feud | ABC-5 era only. | [4] |
| 2009–23 | It's Showtime | Announcer for sponsors and some promotional segments. |
Notes
- ^ Original airing date of media; not the dubbed version.
References
- ^ Mendoza, Ralph (February 27, 2024). "Voice actor, pumalag sa pagbabawal ng Filipino dubbing" [Voice actor challenges ban on Filipino dubbing]. Balita. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c C., Toff (December 16, 2025). "Jefferson Utanes, the voice behind Filipino-dubbed Son Goku, passes away". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 17, 2025). "Philippine Dub Veteran Jefferson Utanes Dies". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c Baylon, Khryzztine Joy (December 17, 2025). "Jeff Utanes, PH voice actor of Son Goku, passes away at 46". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ Basina, Carby Rose (December 17, 2025). "Jefferson Utanes, the Tagalog voice actor of Doraemon and Son Goku, dies at 46". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
External links
- Jefferson Utanes at IMDb
- Jefferson Utanes at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
