Anime voice actor Mike McFarland is coming back to Florida for the first time in nearly five years with his upcoming appearance at St. Pete Comic Con 2022 in St. Petersburg on January 8-9 at the Coliseum.
McFarland has deep experience in anime, having voiced many popular characters as well as voice directed cherished anime shows in his career. For instance, he has voiced Master Roshi in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist, Buggy the Clown in One Piece, Mashirao Ojiro in My Hero Academia, and Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan. And he has voice directed many anime films and shows, including Dragon Ball, Fullmetal Alchemist, Case Closed, and Attack on Titan, the Rebuild of Evangelion films, and Summer Wars.
McFarland is a Dragon Ball expert
If we were going to a Dragon Ball trivia night and could choose whomever we want on our team, we choose Mike McFarland. He’s our ringer. McFarland has voiced characters in the Dragon Ball series animation and video games for nearly 25 years (he started in 1997). In addition to Master Roshi, McFarland voices nearly 20 other characters in the series, including Yajirobe, Android 8 and Baby. “I’m very happy to have been cast as Baby in Dragon Ball GT. The bad guys are much more fun!” And add his voice directing experience with the series, simply put, if McFarland shows up, we win Dragon Ball trivia night.
Our 6 favorite McFarland characters
In honor of his return to Florida, here are our 6 favorite McFarland characters:
- Master Roshi in Dragon Ball
- Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan
- Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist
- Buggy the Clown in One Piece
- Mashirao Ojiro in My Hero Academia
- Otabek Altin in Yuri on Ice
Favorite character # 1: Master Roshi in Dragon Ball series
What clothing does Master Roshi wear? It depends. For example, in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Master Roshi can be seen wearing a pink shirt and white shorts with flip flops. And in Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, Master Roshi wears a white tank top and green flip flops. Below is his most common outfit. Regardless of what he wears, he always recognizable.
Favorite character # 2: Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist
Jean Havoc is a laid back country boy who always has a cigarette in his mouth. He is known for his common sense, cleverness and sarcasm, which are characteristics that sometimes overshadow his lack of intelligence. Havoc is a hard-working solder, with high combat aptitude, who leads by example. Below he is wearing the standard Amestrian State Military uniform.
Favorite character # 3: Buggy the Clown in One Piece
Buggy the Clown is the primary protagonist in One Piece. If you want to learn more about the red-nosed pirate, here’s a great article by CBR.com titled “One Piece: 10 Facts Everyone Should Know About Buggy.
Favorite character # 4: Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titans
Jean is known to be blunt, holding no restraint regardless of others’ feelings or the consequences. He is a hot-head who is quick to resort to violence. And he minces no words in his belief that humans have no chance of defeating the Titans. However, he also is a natural born leader who values the lives of those who follow.
Favorite character # 5: Mashirao Ojiro in My Hero Academia
Ojiro’s mutant-class quirk gives him a tail that has bushy, brown hair on it’s end. “His tail helps him with hand-to-hand combat in the many melees his is involved,” McFarland said.
Favorite character # 6: Otabek Altin in Yuri!!! on Ice
Otabek is an introvert, preferring to spend time alone than with other skaters. His skating style is eloquent, which is at times glamorous and expressive. And he is admired for his determination and kindness.
Mike McFarland is at St. Pete Comic Con 2022 guest
McFarland is at St. Pete Comic Con on January 8-9, 2022, at the historic Coliseum located in downtown St. Petersburg. St. Pete Comic Con 2022 is a two-day, multi-genre comic convention in St. Petersburg that features comics, anime, science fiction and fantasy talent, along with a guest roster of Florida’s top cosplayers. Tickets include single day for $20, and weekend pass for $30.
Need help finding conventions in Florida?
Florida Comic Cons provides the Con Calendar, a curated calendar of upcoming conventions. Each convention listing includes in-depth info about the event like guests, artists and cosplay contests. In addition, there are lots of helpful links for things like buying tickets, registering as a vendor and learning more about characters.
Florida Cosplay Digital Magazine published by Florida Comic Cons
Florida Cosplay Digital Magazine, published by Florida Comic Cons, attends many conventions in Florida in search of talented cosplayers. The magazine is published seasonally. In addition, Florida Cosplay Digital Magazine publishes special editions, photo galleries and blogs of conventions we attend. The magazine is free.
Seasonal issues
Seasonal issues focus on cosplayers and the characters they have chosen to portray. Cosplayer photos and interviews as well as character images and backgrounds are loaded in the seasonal magazines.
Convention blogs and special editions
Convention special edition magazines, photo galleries and blogs showcase cosplayer photos and provide news reports about conventions we attend. There is a focus on cosplay contests.
