Who provides Ash’s original Japanese voice in the Pokémon anime?

Rica Matsumoto provides Ash’s original Japanese voice in the Pokémon anime.

Matsumoto has voiced the character known as Satoshi in Japan since the anime began. International English-language versions call the character Ash Ketchum, which is why the same role is associated with different names across regions.

Matsumoto is also a singer and performs several Pokémon anime opening themes. Her energetic performance helped define Ash’s Japanese voice throughout the character’s long run as the anime’s central protagonist.

Ikue Ōtani is frequently confused with Matsumoto because Ōtani provides Pikachu’s Japanese voice. The two performers are closely associated with the series, but Matsumoto voices Ash while Ōtani voices Pikachu. In the English dub, Ash was initially voiced by Veronica Taylor and later by Sarah Natochenny.