Pokémon: Ash’s English Voice Actor Thanks Japanese Voice Actor For 17 Years Of Inspiration

In December, The Pokémon Company revealed that after 25 years, Ash’s time as the main protagonist in the long-running Pokémon anime was coming to an end. He had finally achieved his dream of becoming the Pokémon World Champion and now, it was time for new characters – Loki, Roy, Professor Friede, and Captain Pikachu – to take over. 

Ash’s Japan trip came to an abrupt halt today. The dubbed version will be available at a later time. Sarah Natochenny (the English voice actor) released a statement in which he congratulated Rica Matsumoto, Ash’s Japanese voice actress, and thanked her for the 17 years she had been his inspiration. 

“As I continue recording the final episodes of Ash and Pikachu’s journey on Pokémon, I’d like to thank and congratulate the incredible woman who has inspired my performance as the English voice of Ash Ketchum for the last 17 years, Rica Matsumoto.

I would also like to acknowledge everyone who has worked on Pokémon in Japan, especially Ikue Ôtani (v/o Pikachu), Shin’ichirô Miki (v/o James), Megumi Hayashibara (v/o Jesse), Inuko Inuyama (v/o Meowth), & the current director Kunihiko Yuyama. Bravo, I’m so proud of you!

Ash has been the protagonist of the mainline Pokémon anime for 25 years and Matsumoto has been the Japanese voice for him the entire time. Veronica Taylor sung the English dub for Ash in the eight first seasons. Natochenny assumed the role in Season 9, and Ash has been Ash’s English voice ever since. 

With Ash’s journey coming to an end today, The Pokémon Company also revealed the title of its new Pokémon anime – Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

You can check out the first official trailer for Pokémon Horizons: The Series below: 

“Set sail for a new journey in Pokémon Horizons: The Series,” the trailer’s description reads. Follow Liko, Roy and their adventures as they uncover the secrets surrounding them. They will also meet Friede, Captain Pikachu and Amethio. 

For more about Pokémon, read Game Informer Pokémon Scarlet and Violet review and then read about the game’s upcoming DLC, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. After that, check out the coolest cards we pulled from the new Scarlet and Violet expansion for Pokémon: The Trading Card Game.

Will you tune in to Ash’s? farewell? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!