Maxwell Powers (born December 27, 1983) is an American voice actor. Known for his work in Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion, Pokémon, and Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga. Powers is also known for his live action work as the host of the NHK Educational TV program VocabRider (2016–present) and as a host for NHK World-Japan's Catch Japan. Most recently, Powers was a presenter at the 2020 Paralympic Games closing ceremony.
Early life Powers began studying Japanese from the age of 15, and was awarded the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's scholarship to attend a Japanese university in 2003. He began his professional career as a translator working in manga and anime. In 2006, Powers was hired to supervise a narrator for a recording and was requested by the director to replace the original narrator. After finishing the recording, the director encouraged Powers to pursue a career in narration and voice acting.
Career Powers was cast in NHK Educational TV’s radio program Kiso Eigo as a host from 2007 until 2014.
In 2016, he was cast as the lead in NHK Educational TV’s television series, radio show, and smartphone application VocabRider. Co-starring Wakana Aoi, Minami Hamabe, Hiyori Sakurada, Powers was responsible for providing explanations of the English language in Japanese. He has additionally worked as a reporter for NHK World's Catch Japan.
As a voice actor, he is primarily known for his work in Japanese anime and video games. Powers has played Suzuki in the television series, video game, and movie version of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (2016) and is the announcer in the movie Kuroko's Basketball The Movie: Last Game (2017). Powers currently voices the recurring character Rotom Drone in the television series Pokémon, Sergeant Verde Buster Gundam in SD Gundam Heroes(2021), and Genbu in the Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion anime series Shinkalion(2018), Shinkalion Z(2021) and Shinkalion the Movie(2019).
He also voices the characters of Ultraman Max and Ultraman Mebius in the live action movie Ultraman Ultra Galaxy Fight The Absolute Conspiracy(2020), and the transformation system voice in the television series Ultraman Trigger New Generation Tiga(2021).
Powers has also worked as an MC for various MMA tournaments from 2009 including World Victory Road's Sengoku Raiden Championship (SRC) and for Aniplex Online Fest. He presented onstage at the 2020 Paralympic Games closing ceremony.
In 2021, Powers joined the cast of the Amazon Prime Video on-demand series The Benza in the recurring role of Max.
Filmography
Television Year Title Role Notes 2009 - 2010Gojinimuchuu (五時に夢中) Self 2016–PresentVocabRider VobabRider Max Regular 2018–PresentWashoku World Challenge Host/Announcer 2019–PresentCatch Japan Host Regular 2021–PresentThe Benza Max Recurring
+ List of voice acting performances in television shows Year Title Role Notes Source Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Suzuki Yo-kai Watch Announcer Yo-kai Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Genbu Tomica Kizuna Mode Combine Earth Granner System Voice Pokémon Rotom Drone Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga Devices Voice SD Gundam Heroes Sergeant Verde Buster Gundam My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Narration
Film Year Title Role Notes 2011Salvage Mice (サルベージマイス) Mob Boss Voice over 2013The Liar and His Lover (film) (彼女は嘘を愛しすぎてる) Master of Ceremonies 2017Let's Go Jets! (チア団！) Announcer Voice over 2018Over Drive (オーバードライブ) Race Announcer 2021Masquerade Night Master of Ceremonies
Video games + List of voice acting performances in video games Year Title Role Notes Source Space Invaders Get Even Various Characters Tekken Tag Tournament 2 System Voice Time Crisis 5 Wild Fang The King of Fighters XIV Main System Voice Mystery Chronicles: One Way Heroics Keyton Kotodaman Genbu Last Cloudia Various Characters The King of Fighters XV System Voice Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 Asimov (English version) Little Goody Two Shoes Gustav, Father Hans Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Dwight Méndez (Japanese version; English dialogue) Gitadora: Galaxy Wave System Voice Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Donny Summerfield (English version), System Voice Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls Male System Voice
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