Ukrainian artists are used to transforming on stage and in films, but their work in dubbing studios is no less prominent. Behind the voices of beloved animated characters are often famous singers, TV hosts, and comedians who do not appear on screen, but become the 'voice' of the character for millions of viewers. Styler, cited by XAB.info, has gathered a selection of Ukrainian stars who participated in voicing both domestic and foreign animated films. The material covers projects of various years and genres, ranging from a national animated hit to major Hollywood franchises.
'Mavka. The Forest Song': The Star Cast of a National Hit
One of the most notable examples was the Ukrainian animated film 'Mavka. The Forest Song', which brought together a substantial star dubbing cast. The main heroine was voiced by actress Natalka Denysenko, her beloved Lukas by singer Artem Pivovarov, and the forest dweller Hush by Mykhailo Khoma, known by his stage name DZIDZIO. The project also featured Serhiy Prytula, who voiced the stylist Frol, Olena Kravets as Kylina, Yulia Sanina as the Water Nymph, and Oleh Skrypka, who gave his voice to the One Who Sits in the Rock. Nina Matvienko became the narrator of the film. Such a lineup turned the dubbing into a full-scale media event, combining music, theater, and television.
Folk Tale and the 'Diesel Show' Team
An equally unusual dubbing team was assembled for the 2018 Ukrainian animated film, where musicians, TV hosts, and comedians stood behind the characters. Nadia Dorofeeva voiced Princess Mila, and Oleksiy Zavgorodniy, known as Pozitiv, voiced Ruslan. The voice of the Scientist Cat was given by Yuriy Horbunov, Serhiy Prytula voiced Nestor, and Oleh Fagot (Mykhailiuta from TNMK) voiced the wizard Fin. The team was also joined by 'Diesel Show' stars Yevhen Gashenko, Yehor Krutogolov, and Oleksandr Berezhok, who voiced the three brothers who went in search of the kidnapped princess.
Pets and Comedy Roles
The animated comedy 'The Secret Life of Pets' humorously answers the question of what pets do when their owners leave home, and its Ukrainian dubbing also features familiar voices. Serhiy Prytula voiced Snowball, a small white rabbit who turns out to be crazier and bolder than he seems, actor Andriy Fedynchyk gave his voice to the main character Max, and Olesya Zhurakivska voiced Chloe. According to Styler, Snowball became one of Prytula's most famous animated roles: the character combines comedy, a hot-tempered personality, and unexpected turns of behavior, and in the second part of the cartoon, the showman returned to voice the rabbit again.
Musical Projects: 'Sing' and 'Trolls'
In the animated comedy 'Sing', characters compete in a music contest that is meant to save Buster Moon the koala's theater from decline, combining humor, music, and characters with different personalities. Ukrainian TV host Yuriy Horbunov voiced Buster Moon, singer MONATIK gave his voice to Eddie the sheep, singer Anna Dobrydneva voiced Ash the porcupine, and O.Torvald frontman Zhenya Halych voiced Lance the porcupine. Since the characters not only speak but also sing, the artists had to convey the characters' traits through both dialogues and vocal parts. In the third part of the 'Trolls' franchise, singers Olha Tsybulska and KOLA joined the Ukrainian dubbing: Tsybulska voiced Viva, Poppy's sister, and KOLA gave her voice to Vinnilla. For musical artists, participating in such a project became an opportunity to express themselves outside the usual format of concerts and song recordings.
The Grinch, Bogatyrs, and Other Figures
Singer Serhiy Babkin voiced the main character of the 2018 animated film 'The Grinch' — a green hermit who dislikes the Christmas bustle and decides to ruin the holiday for the residents of Whoville. Behind the external hostility towards the festive atmosphere lies a story about loneliness, acceptance, and the ability to change, while Nina Matvienko voiced the mayor. A separate layer of Ukrainian dubbing is occupied by domestic animated films: in the film 'The Dragon Spell' (2016), the legendary bogatyr Kyrylo Kozhemjaka was voiced by Vasyl Virastyuk, the witch was voiced by Ruslana Pysanka, and Viktor Andriienko and Serhiy Syvokho also worked on the characters. Virastyuk's participation is particularly interesting, as the athlete is usually seen in strength competitions and television projects, but in the cartoon he joined in creating the image of a fairy-tale bogatyr.
