Jefferson Utanes

Jefferson Seril "Jeff" 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.

Personal life Utanes was married to Catherine Feliciano, and they had two sons.

Illness and death Utanes died on December 16, 2025. He was diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease. 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 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 Announcer YearTitleNotesSource 2001–02 Family Feud ABC-5 era only. 2009–23 It's Showtime Announcer for sponsors and some promotional segments.