Justin Cook
A versatile voice behind some of anime's most explosive characters, who also shaped the sound of American dubbing as a director and producer.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American voice actor·Birthday: April 4·Millennials
Biography
Justin Cook's voice is the explosive energy at the heart of a generation of anime fans' childhoods. Starting at Funimation as a teenager, he quickly moved from technical work into the booth, where his raw, passionate delivery defined hot-headed heroes. He didn't just play Yusuke Urameshi in 'Yu Yu Hakusho' and Raditz in 'Dragon Ball Z'; he embodied their defiant spirit, helping to cement those shows as gateway series for Western audiences. Cook's impact grew behind the glass as a voice director and producer, where he guided performances for countless series and oversaw the English adaptations of titans like 'Dragon Ball Super' and 'One Piece.' His career traces the evolution of anime dubbing from a niche craft into a major industry, and he remains a key architect of its sound—equal parts superfan and skilled professional who ensures the intensity of the original Japanese reaches English-speaking ears.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Justin was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Justin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Justin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as the English voice of Yusuke Urameshi in the iconic anime series 'Yu Yu Hakusho.'
- Voiced Raditz in the 'Dragon Ball Z' franchise and later became a key voice director for 'Dragon Ball Super.'
- Worked as an ADR director and producer on the long-running English adaptation of 'One Piece.'
- Co-founded the audio production company Okratron 5000, which handles major anime dubbing projects.
Did You Know?
He began his career at Funimation as an audio engineer and editor while still in high school.
Cook has also voiced characters in several popular video games, including 'Sonic the Hedgehog' and 'Dragon Ball' game series.
He is known for his energetic and often humorous convention panels, where he interacts directly with fans.
He directed the English dub for the anime film 'Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.'
“The booth is where you make the character breathe, not just speak the lines.”
