Q&A: ‘Chainsaw Man’ Voice Actor Ryan Colt Levy Returns to Music With “Sometimes I Dream Backwards”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY NATALIE D.C.☆
Sonny Matson
AFTER GETTING HIS START IN THE BAND BRAEVES—Ryan Colt Levy has returned to the music industry with his first solo alt-rock single “Sometimes I Dream Backwards,” released under the name RCL.
Brimming with hypnotic electronic beats and confessional, catchy lyrics, the single marks a new chapter for Levy, best known for his prolific, award-winning voice acting work in animes like the hit series Chainsaw Man. Following the show’s success, Levy recently reprised his role as the English voice of protagonist Denji in the 2025 Sony animated feature film Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc which debuted at #1 in the U.S. box office with an $18 million opening weekend.
After the release of “Sometimes I Dream Backwards,” Luna sat down with the actor and musician to discuss his return to music, voice acting origin story as well as his multifaceted inspirations.
Read Luna’s conversation with Levy below.
LUNA: Congratulations on the release of your single “Sometimes I Dream Backwards!” For readers who are unfamiliar with your work, could you briefly describe the sound and style of this project?
LEVY: Thanks so much! It definitely falls into the ambient indie space, but it also carries a variety of flavors, emotions and sonic influences beyond the single itself. It's very much a reflection of different pieces of my personality.
LUNA: “Sometimes I Dream Backwards” is your first solo single after recently returning to your musical roots. How did you first discover your passion for music and what inspired this latest comeback?
LEVY: I first discovered my passion for making music around the age of 12. Acting and film were my first love, but at the time I couldn't imagine a place for myself in that world, so music became my creative outlet and a way to channel my energy into something meaningful. I convinced, or maybe forced, my two best friends to pick up the other instruments needed to round out a modest band, and that's where the adventure began.
After stepping away from music for eight years and spending multiple years going from convention to convention, I finally took some time for myself to decompress and reconnect with my center. Strangely enough, one of the first things that happened was that songs started popping into my head again, just like they used to.
LUNA: You won Best Voice Artist Performance Award at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards for voicing protagonist Denji in the hit series Chainsaw Man. How did you first get into voice acting and how has this aspect of your prolific career influenced your creative journey over the years?
LEVY: I sort of fell into voice acting specifically. I was pursuing an acting career in general after my band broke up, but voiceover wasn't necessarily on my radar. After shooting a short film with some acting classmates, the director asked if I had ever done voiceover and helped produce a demo for me. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I decided to email local studios and see if they would let me audition. I had no idea it would go on to radically change my life in such a cool and surreal way.
Between my many feral years in the band and the time I spent scraping together small acting jobs, I gained a deep sense of perspective and gratitude for when everything finally changed. Playing Denji, and even more so, simply being on this journey, has been eye-opening and soul-opening.
LUNA: In 2025,you reprised your role as the English voice of Denji in the Sony animated feature film Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. What was it like working on this box office success, and has it influenced you to work on more feature-length projects in the future?
LEVY: I'm a movie lover first and foremost, so it was a dream to work on something with such high artistic standards and a massive release. There’s a really special feeling that comes from watching something you’ve worked on with an audience. I absolutely want to get back on the big screen, hopefully in front of the camera!
LUNA: You have an extensive voice acting resume when it comes to video games, including (a personal favorite) Genshin Impact. What does working on these deeply immersive, artistically-driven projects mean to you as a creative?
LEVY: It's always an incredibly fun and liberating creative experience. These worlds and stories are so thoughtfully crafted and layered, so it's an actor's dream to be a part of them.
LUNA: Finally, what are some pieces of media (music, film, literature, etc.) you’ve been drawing inspiration from recently?
LEVY: I've been reading Uncommon Grounds, which is a book about the history of coffee (a personal passion of mine), and Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch, which explores meditation and creativity in general. I've also been really enjoying how many great films are being released, from Backrooms to The Invite [to] The Odyssey. I try to soak up everything I can, from art galleries to concerts. I'm very excited to see Angine de Poitrine in August!
