The world of superheroes and supervillains can be a small one. Whether you realize it or not, some of your favorite Marvel and DC characters have ties to industries you never saw coming. For instance, eagle-eyed viewers have spotted a familiar name among the cast of the new Marvel animated seriesYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. It turns out Kellen Goff, the voice of Overhaul (Kai Chisaki) inMy Hero Academia, also lends his voice to none other than everyone’s favorite alien symbiote, Venom.
If this sounds like perfect casting, that’s because it is. Both Overhaul and Venom share key traits: the ability to regenerate, fuse with others, craft weapons, and mutate into horrifying monsters. However, their personalities differ—Overhaul is a calculating crime boss, while Venom thrives on chaos. Goff’s dual role is a fun connection betweenMy Hero AcademiaandYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Overhaul: My Hero Academia’s Ruthless Mastermind
Venom: One of Marvel’s Great Icons
Overhaul debuted inMy Hero Academiachapter 115, and anime fans got their first peek at Chisaki in episode 62. As the leader of the yakuza group called Shie Hassaikai, Overhaul became a fast villain to audiences. The madman sought to restore the criminal underworld by developing Quirk-erasing bullets from the blood and cells of a young girl named Eri. Overhaul’s crazedambitions led to a dramatic showdownwith Izuku Midoriya and the Pro Heroes by the end ofMy Hero Academiaseason four. In fact, thebattle stands as one of the show’s most famousas it tests Deku’s heroism in ways we’d never seen up until that point.
And as for Venom? The villain is one of Spider-Man’s most famous foes. The character is a sentient alien symbiote that requires a human host to survive, and they first appeared as Spider-Man’s black costume inThe Amazing Spider-Man#252 (1984). Later, Venom bonded with Eddie Brock inThe Amazing Spider-Man#300 (1988) and moved forward with various hosts through modern day. Most recently, the Marvel character has gained noteriety through a film trilogy starring Tom Hardy:Venom(2018),Venom: Let There Be Carnage(2021), andVenom: The Last Dance(2024).
Kellen Goff: An Anime Voice Actor with Range
A Fun Crossover Between Anime and Superheroes
Of course, it is voice actor Kellen Goff who connects Venom to Overhaul. He is a well-loved voice actor known for his work on theFive Nights at Freddy’sfranchise as well as numerous anime English dubs includingAttack on Titan,Black Clover, andJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Goff’s ability to bring sinister characters to life makes him a perfect fit for both Overhaul and Venom as fans agree online.
My Hero Academia Gave One Of Its Most Henious Villains The Ending He Deserved
Overhaul’s punishment may not be as severe as expected, but it is extremely fitting for his character, as proven by chapter 427.
The crossover between anime and Western superheroes is a welcome one, andGoff’s casting as Overhaul and Venom is a prime example. AsMy Hero Academiafans test outYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, they will have fun spotting familiar voices and creating new connections between the two beloved franchises. After all, a great villain always leaves a lasting impact whether we’re talking anime or Spider-Man.
