Who performed the original Japanese opening theme of the Pokémon anime?

Rica Matsumoto performed the original Japanese Pokémon anime opening theme.

The song is titled “Mezase Pokémon Master,” commonly translated as “Aim to Be a Pokémon Master.” It served as the opening theme for the anime’s first 82 episodes and became closely associated with Ash’s early journey.

Matsumoto is also the Japanese voice actor for Ash Ketchum, whose Japanese name is Satoshi. Her performance therefore links the series’ central character with its original opening song. The song’s energetic style helped establish the adventurous tone of the first anime era.

The English-language broadcast used a different opening, “Pokémon Theme,” performed by Jason Paige. Later Japanese seasons introduced additional opening songs and performers, so “Mezase Pokémon Master” refers specifically to the original Japanese opening rather than every Pokémon theme song.