Japanese Donkey Kong Actor from Mario Movie Returns in Donkey Kong Bananza on Switch 2

Donkey Kong is swinging back into the spotlight, with a familiar voice behind him. In a surprise move that’s delighting Nintendo fans and anime lovers alike, Kenta Miyake, the Japanese voice actor behind Donkey Kong in 2023’s Super Mario Bros. Movie, is reprising his role in Nintendo’s upcoming side-scrolling platformer Donkey Kong Bananza. Set to arrive exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, this simian sequel is bringing both nostalgia and cinematic flair to one of Nintendo’s oldest franchises.

Big Voice, Bigger Bananza

Kenta Miyake is not just another cast reunion gimmick; he’s a powerhouse in the voice acting world. Known for his role as All Might in My Hero Academia, Miyake lent gravitas and humour to Donkey Kong in the Japanese dub of the blockbuster Mario movie. His distinctive delivery—commanding yet goofy—became a fan favourite, and now it’s making its way onto a fully interactive stage.

In Donkey Kong Bananza, Miyake’s voice isn’t just a flavouring—it sets the quirky tone for what’s shaping up to be one of the Switch 2’s headline exclusives. While Nintendo has remained characteristically vague about gameplay details, it’s clear the new game is leaning heavily into cinematic-style character presence, possibly taking cues from the detailed voice work seen in Super Mario Odyssey and, more recently, Luigi’s Mansion 3.

This move cements a growing strategy by Nintendo to cross-pollinate its film and game IPs more directly. With the massive box office success of the Mario Bros. Movie and its rabid fan following in Japan for the voice cast, it’s no shock that they’re tapping into that synergy again. And who better than Donkey Kong to lead the way for Switch 2 platformers?

A New Era For Donkey Kong on Switch 2

Donkey Kong Bananza marks the first solo DK adventure in over a decade, and from what’s been shown, it represents a visual leap as impressive as the Switch 2’s new hardware demands. The game maintains a classic 2.5D side-scrolling format, but leaks and footage have shown densely animated jungles, fully expressive character models, and a vivid use of lighting—clearly designed to flaunt the Switch 2’s graphical muscles. And with Miyake’s voice paired to DK’s new cinematic look, Nintendo is clearly aiming to blur the line between game and film more than ever before.

While narration is still rare in platformers, Miyake’s addition raises the possibility that Donkey Kong Bananza might include more scripted moments, cutscenes, or on-the-fly banter—elements that can elevate the genre from simple jump-and-climb to something more akin to a playable animation.

The charm of Donkey Kong’s previous titles has always been in their kinetic gameplay and jungle soundtracks, but now with higher-powered tech and seriously skilled actors on board, Nintendo seems eager to refresh the IP without losing its core identity. Long-time fans can expect signature barrel-blasting action, while new players—especially those who discovered DK from the movie—have a cinematic treat in store.

Importantly, the return of animated film talent isn’t just about fandom nostalgia—it’s a statement. Nintendo is doubling down on its post-movie audience. After testing the cross-media waters with the 2023 film, they’re now investing in continuity, building character recognition that extends across consoles and cinema screens. Miyake represents the bridge between those worlds for Japanese fans—and potentially for future international versions.

Currently, there’s no word on an English voice actor performing alongside or instead of Seth Rogen, who played DK in the Western version of the film. But with the Japanese voice cast returning for this title, it may indicate Japan will get a fuller voice experience than the English-speaking markets, at least initially.

Donkey Kong Bananza is poised for release exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. While a specific launch date remains unconfirmed, industry sources anticipate a Q1 2026 launch, likely timed within the new console’s headline launch window. No pricing or preorder information has been released as of yet.

Whether Bananza is a full series reboot or one-off celebration, the return of Miyake suggests Nintendo’s new-era platformers aim to be as expressive as they are explosive. And for a gorilla best known for tossing barrels and chest-pounding bravado, giving him a voice that fans already adore is an easy win. Donkey Kong may finally be getting a fully fleshed-out star moment—and it’s sounding fantastic.