Ikue Ōtani has voiced Pikachu throughout most of the Pokémon anime. Her performance is distinctive because Pikachu generally repeats its name rather than speaking in ordinary human language.
Ōtani’s Pikachu voice was retained across the international versions of the anime, even when other roles were redubbed by local actors. This helped make Pikachu’s vocal identity recognizable to audiences around the world. The character’s repeated “Pika” sounds function as emotional communication rather than conventional dialogue.
Ōtani also voiced Pikachu in many Pokémon games and in the Super Smash Bros. series. In some games, however, Pikachu uses a recorded or synthesized cry instead of newly recorded anime dialogue. That difference can cause confusion when comparing the anime and game versions.
Pikachu was selected as the anime’s central Pokémon partly because the production team thought the character would appeal broadly to both boys and girls. The decision helped establish Pikachu as the franchise’s international mascot.