Adam McArthur on Anime, The Simpsons & the Sweetest First Kiss Ever

Voice actor Adam McArthur joins the podcast for a wildly entertaining conversation filled with anime fandom, martial arts, iconic cartoons, voice acting secrets, and one of the most wholesome first-kiss stories ever told on the show. Best known as Marco Diaz in Star vs. the Forces of Evil and Yuji Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen, Adam brings nonstop energy, heartfelt honesty, and deep love for animation culture in this unforgettable episode. The episode kicks off with Adam revealing that he’s a black belt in Hapkido, instantly bonding over martial arts and discipline before diving into how his martial arts background actually influenced the characters he would later portray. He shares how his first-ever paid voice acting gig came from a Macy’s radio commercial during a SAG commercial strike, leading him to realize he could actually make a living “getting paid to talk.” One of the biggest highlights is Adam’s behind-the-scenes story about landing the role of Marco Diaz in Star vs. the Forces of Evil. He explains how he auditioned alongside Disney’s early casting process for Star Wars Rebels, going through multiple callbacks over several months before finally recording a chemistry read with Eden Sher. Adam reflects on how important it was to support his scene partner during the audition process, emphasizing that good acting comes from helping others succeed in the booth. The conversation dives deep into the beloved relationship between Star and Marco, including the emotional finale that left fans begging for more. Adam talks about why he always believed the characters belonged together and why their slow-burn friendship-to-romance arc resonated so strongly with audiences. He also revisits one of his favorite episodes, “Running with Scissors,” where Marco ages 30 years in another dimension and returns transformed by the experience. Anime fans will especially love Adam’s detailed explanation of how dubbing works behind the scenes. He breaks down the intense production schedules of anime localization, recording episodes only days before release, and the unique challenges of matching completed animation and lip flaps. He also compares the creative freedom of Western animation to the precision required for anime dubbing, calling dubbing “acting inside a box.” Adam shares fascinating stories about working on Jujutsu Kaisen, including recording episodes overseas while traveling internationally. He also discusses meeting his Japanese counterpart from the anime and how differently voice actors are treated in Japan, where they are viewed more like major celebrities and tightly protected public figures. The episode is packed with comedy throughout, including donut tastings, playful debates about The Simpsons predicting the future, impressions, improv scenes, and discussions about gaming, pickleball, and Fortnite crossovers. Adam’s infectious enthusiasm shines in every moment, especially when he describes getting to perform crowd “walla” for The Simpsons and proudly buying Simpsons production art immediately afterward to commemorate the experience. But the emotional centerpiece arrives near the end, when Adam answers Laura Bailey’s question about his first kiss. What follows is an unexpectedly sweet and sincere story about dating his first girlfriend for two years before their parents allowed them to kiss at age sixteen — complete with both families watching and taking pictures. It instantly becomes one of the most charming moments in podcast history. Funny, heartfelt, nostalgic, and full of behind-the-scenes animation stories, this episode is a celebration of fandom, friendship, and the voices that shape entire generations. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices