Tony Weaver Jr. Interview – Award-Winning Author & Pro Voice Actor Talks Using Your Voice

An Award-Winning Author, Educator, and Professional Voice Actor (hear him as Saito in The Ghost in the Shell!), Tony Weaver Jr. has made – and continues to make! – a tremendous impact in the space.

We recently spoke with Tony Weaver Jr. on the power that comes with using your voice – learn more with our interview…

Tony Weaver Jr. Interview – Award-Winning Author & Pro Voice Actor Talks Using Your Voice

Gamers Heroes

I really appreciate the time! 

Starting with praise, I’d love to talk The Ghost in the Shell. I saw the first episode, and I grew up with the greater Ghost in the Shell series; I rented the original DVD and also saw Innocence in theaters.

It must be great being Saito, just being part of this incredible, incredible series! 

What drew you to the role, and what’s been your favorite part working on it so far? 

Tony Weaver Jr.

To me, The Ghost in the Shell is a household name! 

It’s one of the animes of anime, and I couldn’t think of a better series to plant my feet in the ground with my first major character role.

I grew up watching Stand Alone Complex, and I would put on the Inner Universe theme song when it was time to get myself hyped. 

To be able to contribute to a show that has such a rich legacy, but especially being adapted by a studio like Science SARU – they’re doing these amazing things, pushing the anime medium forward. 

I’m really grateful!

Gamers Heroes

You hit the nail on the head! Definitely speaking my language.

I believe you said in one of your videos this is your first major voice acting role. 

What would you say is part of your distinct voice acting toolbox, something that is distinctly “Tony?”

Tony Weaver Jr.

I think the thing that makes me competitive as a voice actor is that there are 20 people in my head, and they’re all very refined people.

For the longest time, the only person that I had to talk to was myself – so I would sit in my basement and I would yap and talk. I would look at other Voice Actors I really admired, and they would be in scenes with other people.

Some of the things that make their voices shine is the fact that they’re “Person A,” and there’s another person that’s “Person B.” 

I told myself,

“If you’re all alone, and you want your voice to be able to ping-pong back and forth like that, you’ve got to be both people.”

I think my ability to think of roles from the perspective of both characters in the scene lets me choreograph really cool emotional moments.

Gamers Heroes

Yeah, I definitely see that – that’s what makes a lasting impact!

I have nothing but respect for Voice Actors – they add so much life to things. 

On that note, I know we were both at Anime Expo – and the community there was just incredible!

The energy at the event was just electric, and they were there for you and all the other Voice Actors.

Whether it be Anime Expo – or any other events – what are some of your favorite community stories when it comes to the fandom – the Tony fandom?

Tony Weaver Jr.

So I hesitate to say that I have a Tony fandom…

Gamers Heroes

You’ve got me! 

Tony Weaver Jr.

I’m grateful – I appreciate you! 

In my head, I think I have a community of people that are gracious enough to listen to me when I speak – and that’s never something that I take for granted. 

I was at MomoCon in Atlanta, and a guy walked up to my table. He told me my videos and my work were really motivational and were supportive for him and his brother. His brother was dealing with an very advanced and aggressive cancer in the hospital. 

There’s something that creates perspective when you hear a story like that – these things I’m making in my basement as I’m sitting and yapping in front of my shelf – having the ability to travel and reach somebody.

That is why I take my work so seriously, why I think everybody should use their voice.

It really has the ability to travel and help people and meet them when they are in some of the most stressful and painful circumstances. 

Any opportunity I get to do that is one that makes me really happy!

Gamers Heroes

You definitely have a platform and an audience! That actually leads to my next question…

I’d love to talk about your work with the Nerds for Literacy program. 

I discovered it last week, and my wife and I gave a little to the cause – I really appreciate you doing that! I’m really glad you reached a milestone of over $142,000 raised – that’s incredible. 

What was your favorite part forming a Nerd Army with this program? 

Tony Weaver Jr.

One of my favorite hats to wear is as General of the Nerds for Literacy army!

There’s something deeply humbling about stepping out by yourself, saying, 

“Hey, this is something I think is a problem. I think there is a solution – kids do deserve books.”

I think kids should be able to see themselves in stories, and I think there is a way for all of us to help support youth and combat the youth illiteracy crisis.

When you say something for the first time, you feel kind of crazy because you’re kind of yelling it into the void. 

But the community popped up and said:

“You know what? I agree, and we got your back!”

We’re gearing up for Nerds for Literacy round two right now. We’ll be launching on August 10 of this year, and our goal is to raise $200,000 in four weeks. 

Gamers Heroes

You got it! 

Tony Weaver Jr.

I’m very stressed about it, but I was stressed about year one as well. 

If there’s anything that I’ve learned being in this community and seeing the kindness of the nerds I’ve had the opportunity to cross paths with, is that this community will show up in ways that you couldn’t imagine in your wildest dreams.

I’m really grateful for the kids that we’ve been able to impact so far, and I’m hopeful we’ll be able to impact more.

Gamers Heroes

Yeah, there’s strength in community! Keep going strong – we’re all too happy to evangelize!

On that same note, I did watch your TED Talk, and you talked about how there’s a two-way communication model. 

You always want to make sure that there’s a community; there’s the conversation you have, the platform. 

I love your Instagram, but what’s been your favorite way to have that communication through your social media channels?  

Tony Weaver Jr.

I engage with my community in a variety of ways! I believe I am only what my community says I am. 

So I can attempt to be helpful, but if there aren’t people that are actively saying “Hey, this really helped me,” then am I really being helpful? 

I can attempt to be motivational, but if people aren’t actively saying, “Wow, this really motivated me,” am I actually accomplishing the thing?

I’m really in lockstep with my community to learn about when I’m doing those things. 

I was at DreamCon this past weekend – I showed up at my table at 11 o’clock in the morning and did not leave my table until 6 in the evening. 

There were people there the entire time – I didn’t take any breaks or eat, and was there head-on talking to people. 

When you have over 1,000 people walking up over the course of three days, sharing these stories about how much you’ve given them inspiration, the hope that you’ve given them, the support you’ve given them…

It lets me know that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, and it just makes me feel really grateful that my work is resonating.

Gamers Heroes

Definitely cherish that! That has power, and they’re there for you. 

On that same note, I know you have your book Weirdo. I’m looking forward to reading it myself!

What was your favorite part working on that book alongside Jes and Cin?

Tony Weaver Jr.

I think Weirdo was designed for me to sneak self-love into people’s hearts! 

As a nerd, I know comics are really, really powerful. However, there are a lot of people that don’t consider it real reading. 

Kids are engaging with graphic novels a lot – and the parents might not always get it – but this is a book that really resonates with young people and gives them the tools they need. 

Fortunately it’s been resonating not only with kids, but parents as well!

I’ve had people that are in their late 20s, late 30s, and even early 40s walk up to me holding Weirdo in their hand with tears in their eyes, saying:

“I needed this – this was for me. This healed a part of my inner child.” 

I just love that as a community! We’re in a place where that gets to happen now, where we get to do that. 

I think that, to some extent, every nerdy person that popped up before Gen Z is walking around with some form of weight around the way that they were treated when they were younger.

My story being able to help those people is really humbling.

Gamers Heroes

I understand what you mean! I’ve got a three-year-old nephew that loves Sonic 3 and Jim Carrey – the kids will be alright!

Tapping to that same element, I know you’ve spoken to schools, libraries, and companies.

You have that nerdy older brother energy that we talked about, and we talked a little bit about your distinctly Tony voice…

How would you say your genuine nerdy older brother energy has manifested itself over the years? 

We’ve seeing tremendous growth in the space, even in the last five years. They’re discovering this new love!

How have you found that distinct “nerdy older brother” energy, and refined it over time?

Tony Weaver Jr.

I think the nerdy older brother energy for me comes from the fact that the community is so much larger. 

When I was younger, all I wanted was one person to talk to about this stuff. Now I have hundreds of thousands of people to talk to!

The growth in the anime community and the new people that have shown up to the hobby…I consider this as a universally good thing.

I love that there are more people that are able to find fun, significance, growth, and community in these stories.

Gamers Heroes

I definitely appreciate that, and I know your time is very valuable.

Ending on a short and sweet note – and tying everything together – what advice would you give the next generation?

Tony Weaver Jr.

I think, for me, you’ve just got to use your voice. 

That’s the advice that I give, and that looks a little different for everybody. 

For some people, using your voice is like literally your voice and you get in the booth. For some people, you’re writing. For some people, it’s the way that you treat people. 

I think that the way you use your voice is how you illustrate the story of your life.

It’s my goal that through my work, no matter where what artistic discipline somebody bumps into me in, I’ll be a voice that’s capable of helping them use theirs.

Gamers Heroes

I respect that – I truly do; and it’s genuine too. 

I appreciate you going out there, doing it, and finding your voice. 

Thank you for the time time – it really means the world!

Tony Weaver Jr.

I’m grateful for the opportunity – thank you!

For those feeling social, make sure to follow Tony Weaver Jr. on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and be sure to check out his official website!

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