Arin Hanson

Hanson joined Newgrounds under the name "Egoraptor" on September 16, 2001.[5] He released his first animation on DeviantArt, titled "Final Fantasy 7 Flash Spoof", on September 18, 2004.[1] He submitted his first Awesome animation, "Metal Gear Awesome," to Newgrounds on February 23, 2006.[6] Hanson went on to upload other comedic video game-related animations, as well as four separate animated webseries (which he then uploaded to YouTube); Awesome, short animated videos that parody video games, Lemon 'n Bill, a comedic series in which an anthropomorphic bullet and lemon get trapped within video game worlds, Girlchan in Paradise, a parody of shōnen anime, and Sequelitis, a series in which Hanson compares a video game and its sequel along with animations throughout the video.[7][1]

After producers at MTV saw "Metal Gear Awesome", Hanson was approached by the channel to produce animated shorts for MTV's online video gaming show, The G-Hole.[8][1]

In 2006, Hanson starred as the sole voice actor in the animated short J.I.M on Newgrounds, created by Lee McGuire.

In 2006, Hanson got his very first role in voice acting as the voice of Bruce Banner in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, a role he won as part of a voice acting competition held by Activision. At the time, Hanson was still living in Florida, and so Activision flew him out to Los Angeles in order for him to record his lines in-studio.

However, after doing his voice work, Hanson's voice went ultimately unused, and the character was played by Robin Atkin Downes instead for unknown reasons, although his voice was still used in the Wii port.[9] Hanson's voice would later go on to be used in the 2016 re-release of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, in place of Robin Atkin Downes.[10]

In 2009, Hanson provided the voice for the character John Gore in the video game Minigore,[11] and later reprised the role in the 2011 remake of Death Rally.[12]

In 2012, Hanson provided his voice for the game Detective Grimoire, a Kickstarter project which was successfully funded on August 3, 2012.[13] Hanson has also voiced various characters for Hex Heroes, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Target Acquired, Red vs. Blue, Cyanide & Happiness, and Rick and Morty.[1][14][15][16][17]

Since 2016, Hanson has been a regular on Cartoon Network's Mighty Magiswords providing the voice of Gateaux, the monosyllabic partner of sorceress Moribidia, played by Mary Faber.[17][18][19] He also plays other recurring characters such as Fibby Croax, Delivery Man Steve, Zonq, as well as many other various additional characters.[20] According to series creator, Kyle Carrozza, Hanson was originally approached for character design on the show, but he declined.[21] Although aware of his voice work, Carrozza was not aware of Hanson's SAG-AFTRA membership until he informed him, which led to him being cast on the show.

In 2016, Hanson was added as an Announcer in Move or Die.[22]

Hanson (bottom) with Avidan (top), pictured in 2015, are both hosts of Game Grumps

In July 2012, Hanson and his colleague Jon Jafari (known for his comedy webseries JonTron) created a joint YouTube channel, called Game Grumps. In late June 2013, Dan Avidan, of the band Ninja Sex Party, replaced Jafari when he retired Game Grumps to focus on his personal channel.[23] On Game Grumps, Hanson and Avidan play video games and talk, to an often comedic effect.[24] Hanson has also appeared on the channel's spin-off shows Steam Train and GrumpCade, along with other Game Grumps members in a similar format to the parent show; he and Avidan also front 10 Minute Power Hour, in which they engage in and frequently struggle with various activities.

The popularity of Game Grumps led to live performances at the Hollywood Improv in late March 2016.[25] Completely sold out, the event led to future performances in New York and other locations on the East Coast, which itself led to further shows across the United States and internationally through their own touring company.[26][27]

Hanson (bottom center) with other members of Game Grumps in 2015

In 2008, Hanson worked together with Ross O'Donovan on the animated webseries Gamer Tonight where he provided the voice of the host, which was broadcast on the Australian television show Good Game.[28] He also voiced a character in asdfmovie4 in 2011, a series by TomSka. TomSka would later express mild disappointment with Hanson's contribution, particularly due to his own direction.[29]

In February 2012, Hanson appeared as a contestant on the Sony game show, The Tester, during its third season, as a community-voted contestant, but was accused of using the show to promote himself.[30] He later admitted that he applied in order to spite a former bully, while on the show itself he behaved in a way he described as actively trolling it, until he was reprimanded on camera.[1] When asked about his experience, and whether or not he would do it again, he replied negatively.[31] Hanson won the third season of the dance competition web series Dance Showdown, alongside professional dancer, Maxine Hupy.[32][33] Hanson has also done narration work for several episodes of Did You Know Gaming?[34] Besides providing additional work for online series on YouTube and Newgrounds, Hanson has been featured in several videos for the website ScrewAttack, including a collaboration with James Rolfe and Keith Apicary.[35]

In 2013, Hanson performed the introduction to a version of "Knight in Shining Armour" by Dougal & Gammer released as part of the compilation Clubland X-Treme Hardcore 9.[36]

In 2013, Hanson, along with Game Grumps co-host and Ninja Sex Party singer-songwriter Dan Avidan and instrumentalist Brian Wecht, formed the band Starbomb.[37] They released their first album, named Starbomb in December 2013, which went on to become No. 1 on the Billboard Comedy Charts.[38] Starbomb went on to release their second album one year later December 2014, titled Player Select.[39] In early 2016, Hanson performed with Starbomb at their first live event at SXSW.[40]

On April 15, 2014, Fat Refund, a rap song, was released on the channel StamperTV, a collaboration between several animators and voice actors including Rice Pirate, Marc M., Stamper, and Hanson himself.[41]

Hanson also provided spoken vocals for several songs by Tupper Ware Remix Party.

Starbomb released their third album on April 19, 2019.

In 2013, Hanson made an appearance on the webseries Hot Pepper Gaming. He reviewed Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate after eating a habanero pepper.[42] In 2014, he returned to the show, reviewing the game Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes whilst eating a Bhut jolokia.[43] In 2015, Hanson later appeared on the show, reviewing the game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain whilst eating Sichuan peppers.

Hanson also starred alongside Avidan in Good Game, a YouTube Original Series. In addition to acting in the series, Hanson also served as an executive producer.

In January 2018, Hanson and Game Grumps manager Brent Lilley co-founded tour management company Real Good Touring, which organizes tours for internet personalities and independent performers.[44]

In March 2020, Hanson released his first novel Ghost Hunters Adventure Club and the Secret of the Grande Chateau, under the pen-name "Dr. Cecil H. H. Mills" (proclaimed by Hanson to be his uncle, and a controversial literary figure, but obviously portrayed by Hanson himself in interviews and advertisements).[45][46]

¹Hanson's dialogue was recorded for the original 2006 release. Although he was replaced by Robin Atkin Downes in the final game, his dialogue was used for the 2016 re-release on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

• Starbomb (2013)
• Player Select (2014)[63]
• The TryForce (2019)[64][65][66]

• Ninja Sex Party – "Dinosaur Laser Fight" (2011)
• Dougal & Gammer – "Knight in Shining Armour" (2013)
• Geezy – "Hashtag" (2013)
• StamperTV – "FAT REFUND" (2014)[41]
• Ninja Sex Party – "Party of Three" (2015)
• Ninja Sex Party – "Buttsex Goldilocks" (2015)
• Ninja Sex Party – "6969" (2015)
• Big Bad Bosses – "Intro" (2015)
• Tupper Ware Remix Party – "Groove Crusaders" (2016)
• Tupper Ware Remix Party – "Atomic Karate" (2017)
• Ninja Sex Party – "Eating Food in the Shower" (2017)
• Tupper Ware Remix Party – "Phantom Racer" (2018)
• Ninja Sex Party – "Release the Kraken" (2018)
• Ninja Sex Party – "Ninja Brian Goes to Soccer Practice" (2018)
• Ninja Sex Party – "Danny Don't You Know" (2018)
• NateWantsToBattle – "Sonic Forces- Infinite Theme ft. Arin Hanson" (2018)
• Tupper Ware Remix Party – "Hidden Potential" (2019)

• Hanson, Arin (2018). "Illustrator". Afraid of Everything. By Tierney, Adam. Adam Tierney. ISBN 9780692923177.