Voice Actor Alejandro Saab Remembers Mike Mcfarland As 'goofy, Kind And Smart'

When voice actor Alejandro Saab thinks about his late colleague Mike McFarland, he doesn’t start with the anime credits or the studio stories. He starts with a laugh. “Mike was goofy,” Saab told me over coffee, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “That’s the first word I’d use. But underneath all the jokes was this kind, incredibly smart guy who made everyone better.”

A Friendship Forged in the Booth

Saab and McFarland worked together on major properties like One Piece and Dragon Ball Super. But their bond wasn’t just about hitting lines on a script. It was about the moments in between—the pre-session banter, the shared snacks, and the way McFarland could turn a stressful recording into a relaxed hangout.

“He had this habit of cracking a terrible pun right before a serious take,” Saab recalls. “You’d be ready to cry as a character, and he’d just whisper something ridiculous. Then you’d nail the scene because you weren’t tense anymore.”

That ability to release pressure is a lesson for anyone, not just voice actors. Practical tip: Before a high-stakes moment—a presentation, a tough conversation—try a silly joke or a deep breath. You’ll find your center much faster than you will by gritting your teeth.

What “Kind and Smart” Really Looked Like

McFarland’s kindness wasn’t performative. Saab remembers a time he was struggling with a complex emotional scene—a character losing a loved one. “I was in my head, overthinking. Mike didn’t give me notes. He just looked at me and said, ‘Hey, you got this. Let’s do it once for fun.’ And I did. And it was the take they used.”

That blend of emotional intelligence and professional instinct is rare. McFarland directed hundreds of episodes across anime and video games, but he treated every actor like a collaborator, not a tool. He’d say things like, “What if your character was secretly hungry?” or “Imagine you’re telling this to your best friend, not the audience.”

Alejandro Voice Actor 60 Photos - Moonagedaydream.film

It’s a masterclass in empathy—something we can all practice. Next time you’re giving feedback to a friend or colleague, try framing it as a question, not a directive. “What if we tried this angle?” feels a lot better than “Do it this way.”

Pop Culture and the Power of Play

If you grew up watching English-dubbed anime in the 2000s, McFarland’s voice is embedded in your memory. He was Kuwabara in Yu Yu Hakusho, the lovable punk with a heart of gold. He was Mayuri Kurotsuchi in Bleach, the creepy but brilliant scientist. And he was Rollo in Code Geass, a role that required deep vulnerability.

“He could do anything,” Saab says. “From comedy to tragedy. But his secret was that he never took himself too seriously. He treated every character like a real person, flaws and all.”

Kyo Kasahara’s Voice Actor in Blue Box: Yuma Uchida & Alejandro Saab

That’s a cultural truth we often forget: the best creators—whether they’re animators, musicians, or chefs—stay playful. Think of Hayao Miyazaki sketching whimsical creatures in his 70s, or Questlove sampling old records with childlike glee. Play isn’t a distraction; it’s the engine of innovation.

Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Mike McFarland

Here’s a gem: McFarland was also a skilled martial artist and taught self-defense classes on the side. “He’d show up to the studio and say, ‘I just disarmed a guy with a broomstick in class,’” Saab laughs. “And then he’d go direct an episode about space pirates. That was him.”

Another fun fact: he voiced Greed in the original Fullmetal Alchemist—a character defined by his insatiable desire. But in real life, McFarland was famously generous. “He’d buy lunch for the whole crew just because,” Saab notes. “And he never wanted recognition for it.”

Don't Miss Voice Actor Mike McFarland at Anime Fan Fest

This dissonance—between the loud, greedy characters he played and the quiet, giving man he was—is a reminder that we are not our roles. You can be a fierce negotiator at work and a softie at home. You can be a dragon on paper and a teddy bear in person.

Remembering Through Laughter

McFarland passed away in late 2024 after a sudden illness, leaving a gaping hole in the anime community. But Saab insists that the best tribute is not tears—it’s laughter. “I still hear his voice in my head,” Saab says. “He’d want us to keep creating, keep being goofy, and keep supporting each other.”

So how do we honor a person like that in our daily lives? Start small. Send a goofy meme to a friend without context. Leave a kind note for a coworker. Let yourself be silly for five minutes today—even if it feels unproductive. That’s the McFarland way.

Alejandro Saab Voice Actor 60 Photos - Moonagedaydream.film

Reflection: The Art of Lightness

There’s a scene in Yu Yu Hakusho where Kuwabara, McFarland’s character, shouts, “I’m not just some guy! I’m a guy with a soul!” It’s a ridiculous line, delivered with absolute sincerity. And that’s the lesson. Life is heavy—deadlines, bills, heartbreak all pile up. But we can choose to carry that weight with a touch of goofy grace.

Alejandro Saab still texts McFarland’s old number sometimes. “I know he won’t reply,” he says, “but it makes me feel like he’s still here.” And in a way, he is—in every joke, every kind word, every actor who remembers to breathe, play, and connect before the red light goes on.

So the next time you’re about to dive into something serious—a meeting, a conversation, even just your morning commute—ask yourself: What would Mike do? Probably crack a terrible pun, buy someone coffee, and remind you that you’ve got this. Then you’ll be on your way.