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Rica Matsumoto
松本 梨香
Rica Matsumoto in Brasilia 2023.jpg
Rica Matsumoto at Anime Summit Chibi in Brasília, Brazil, 2023
Born (1968-11-30) November 30, 1968 (age 55)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • voice actress
  • singer
Years active 1986–present
Notable work
Satoshi (Ash Ketchum) (Pokémon)
Height 160 cm (5 ft 3 in)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1993–present
Labels
  • Media Factory
  • Tokuma Japan Communications
Associated acts JAM Project

Rica Matsumoto (松本 梨香, Matsumoto Rika, born November 30, 1968) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer who was born in Yokohama, Japan. Her name is also sometimes romanized as Rika Matsumoto. She was one of the founders of the anison band JAM Project.

After early stage work, she began both voice acting and singing careers. Her most notable role is Satoshi (Ash Ketchum in English localizations), the original main character of the anime series Pokémon. Other notable roles include Ryo Bakura in Yu-Gi-Oh!, Midori Kodama in Azuki Chan, and Aoi Futaba in You're Under Arrest. Matsumoto also performs the songs for many of the openings for the Japanese Pokémon anime.

Matsumoto has had lead or supporting roles in dozens of series. She has also had a radio show in Japan and does some dubbing work for translations of American films and TV series into Japanese. In April 2008, she announced in she was taking time off from JAM Project to focus on her solo work.

Filmography

Television animation

Year Title Role Other notes
1988 Anpan Man Rakugaki Kozō
Osomatsu-kun Choromatsu Debut role
Wowser Blackie
1990 Anpan Man Piano Man
Heisei Tensai Bakabon Nise Musuko, Kumada-kun, ryokan employee, lazy wife, multiple other roles
Magical Angel Sweet Mint Aru, Gureamu
1991 Anpan Man Baby Donut
City Hunter '91 Sonya
Jankenman Soccer-kun
Magical Princess Minky Momo kid B
Marude Dameo Kanemochi Sugoi, young dinosaur, Prince, town girl
Ochame na Futago Kerry
Matchless Raijin-Oh Jin Hyuga First leading role
Moero! Top Striker Julian
1992 Anpan Man Natto Man, Shūmai Musume, Medamayaki-kun
The Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn Seiji Takasugi
Calimero Pankuratcho
Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger Jin Hyuga
My Patrasche Jan
Tekkaman Blade Rick
1993 Anpan Man Tengu Boy
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam Haro, Warren Trace, Renda de Paloma
Muka Muka Paradise Hazuki
1994 Akazukin Chacha Poppy-kun
Tonde Burin Keiko Kuroha, Buta Session, Buta Session G
Yu Yu Hakusho Kiyoshi Mitarai, Koashura
1995 Azuki-chan Midori Kodama, Yōko's mother
Mama Loves the Poyopoyo-Saurus Miki Poyota
Ninku Fūsuke
1996 Ganba! Fly High Mariko Sagara
Kaiketsu Zorro Bernardo
Magical Girl Pretty Sammy Chihiro
You're Under Arrest Aoi Futaba
1997 Anpan Man Kurukuru Okoma-chan
Pocket Monsters: Episode Sekiei League Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
1998 Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden Shuringe
Dokkiri Doctor Tomoko Asaoka
Hikarian Hikarian Star Queen
If I See You in My Dreams Namiko Isobe
The Kindaichi Case Files Narumi Fuwa, Reiko Kitami
Master Keaton Ilya
Outlaw Star James "Jim" Hawking
Trigun Kaite
1999 Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden V Witchy
Hoshin Engi Raishinshi
Now and Then, Here and There Sis
Pocket Monsters: Episode Orange Archipelago Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
Pocket Monsters: Episode Gold & Silver Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
2000 Case Closed Ritsuko Usui
Hidamari no Ki Okon
Lupin III: $1 Money Wars Sandy Fishburne
Mon Colle Knights Flame Angel
Mewtwo! I Am Here Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian TV special
Rerere no Tensai Bakabon Momotarō, Non-chan
Vandread Fanieta
2001 Captain Tsubasa Kojirō Hyūga As a boy
Star Ocean EX Opera Vectra
You're Under Arrest Second Season Aoi Futaba
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Ryo Bakura (Dark Bakura/Thief King Bakura) Succeeded Yo Inoue
2002 Bomberman Jetters Misty
Case Closed Reiko Kujō
Dragon Drive Mukai
Fortune Dogs Pochi
Gun Frontier Sinunora
Hanada Shōnen Shi Jiro, Yōhei, Madame Katherine, Satsuki Baa-san, Yoshiko's friend
Pocket Monsters Side Stories Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
Pocket Monsters: Advanced Generation Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
You're Under Arrest Aoi Futaba
2003 Astro Boy Rin
Case Closed Jun Kataoka
Machine Robo Rescue Chāmī Satō
Ninja Scroll Nekome
2004 Gokusen Shizuka Fujiyama
Gravion Zwei Dr. Barnett
The Prince of Tennis Hanna
2005 Black Jack Jun, Satoru
Naruto Suzume-bachi
Oku-sama wa Mahō Shōjo: Bewitched Agnes Freya
Paradise Kiss Koizumi-kun
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! Chiro
2006 Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori Mirai Saeda
The Terrifying Mirage Pokémon Satoshi (Ash Ketchum) TV special
Pocket Monsters: Diamond and Pearl Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
2007 MapleStory Puudou
Neuro: Supernatural Detective Ayumi Kaku (Hysteria)
Sgt. Frog Yamato
You're Under Arrest: Full Throttle Aoi Futaba
2008 Atashin'chi Monta
2009 Chi's Sweet Home: Chi's New Address Tora
2010 Pocket Monsters: Best Wishes! Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
2012 Stitch! ~ Best Friends Forever ~ Zuruko (Tsuruko Sasuga)
Stitch! ~ The Mischievous Alien's Great Adventure ~ Zuruko (Tsuruko Sasuga)
Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Inspector Carla Borgnine
Humanity Has Declined Doc
Pocket Monsters: Best Wishes! Season 2 Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
Stitch and the Planet of Sand Zuruko (Tsuruko Sasuga)
2013 Pocket Monsters: Best Wishes! Season 2: Episode N Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
Pocket Monsters: Best Wishes! Season 2: Decolora Adventure Satoshi (Ash Ketchum), Sakaki's Persian
Pocket Monsters: XY Satoshi (Ash Ketchum)
2015 Panpaka Pants Silky
Pocket Monsters: XY&Z Satoshi (Ash Ketchum)
2016 Pocket Monsters: Sun & Moon Satoshi (Ash Ketchum)
2019 Pocket Monsters Satoshi (Ash Ketchum)
2021 Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor Jabe

Original video animation (OVA)

  • Moldiver (1993) - Nozomu Ozora
  • Dirty Pair Flash (1994-1996) - Kei
  • Phantom Quest Corp (1994-1995) - Ayaka Kisaragi
  • Ruin Explorers (1995-1996) - Rasha
  • Miyuki-chan in Wonderland (1995) - Sumire-chan
  • Magical Girl Pretty Sammy (1995) - Chihiro
  • Fake (1996) - Bikky
  • Shamanic Princess (1996-1998) - Japolo
  • Sol Bianca: The Legacy (1999-2000) - April

Theatrical animation

  • Metropolis (2001) (Female customer)
  • Piano no Mori (2007) (Daigaku Kanehira)
  • Roujin Z (1991) (Chie Satō)
  • Taiho Shichauzo the Movie (1999) (Aoi Futaba)
  • Hunter x Hunter (1998) (Gon Freecss)
  • Perfect Blue (1998) (Rumi)
  • Pocket Monsters films (1998-2020) (Satoshi)
  • Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions (Bakura) (2016)
  • DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon (2017) (Wonder Woman)

Video games

  • GeGeGe no Kitarō: Gyakushū! Yōma Dai Kessen (2003) (Kitarō)
  • GeGeGe no Kitarō: Ibun Yōkai Kitan (2003) (Kitarō)
  • GeGeGe no Kitarō: Kikiippotsu! Yōkai Rettō (2003) (Kitarō)
  • Super Robot Wars Original Generations (2007, PlayStation 2) (Ricarla Borgnine)
  • Lunar 2: Eternal Blue (1994) (Nall)
  • Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushido Retsuden (1997) (Rashojin Mizuki)
  • Haunted Junction (1997, PlayStation) - Asahina Mutsuki
  • Brave Fencer Musashi (1998) (Musashi)
  • Maria 2: Jutaikokuchi no Nazo (1999) (Maria Kunitoma)
  • Super Robot Wars Alpha (2000, PlayStation) (Ricarla Borgnine)
  • Kingdom Hearts II (2005) (Megara)
  • Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (2013) (Commentator)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost (2015) (Shiro Kyoda)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost ON (2016) (Shiro Kyoda)
  • Kingdom Hearts III (2019) (Megara)
  • Pokémon Masters EX (2022) (Satoshi)

Tokusatsu

  • Kousoku Sentai Turboranger (1989) (Bell Chime Boma (ep. 27), Amulet Boma (ep. 31))
  • The Mobile Cop Jiban (1989) (Reporter (Actor) (ep. 9), Queen Cosmo (voice) (ep. 46))
  • Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman (1990) (Arthur G6)
  • Choujin Sentai Jetman (1991) (Trash Dimension (ep. 21))
  • Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger (1992) (Dora Laygor (ep. 33))
  • Engine Sentai Go-onger (2008) (Savage Land Barbaric Machine Beast Bōseki Banki (ep. 22))
  • Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger (2012) (Masako "Miyabi" Yamada)
  • Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger (2024) (Bundorio Bunderas)

Dubbing roles

Live-action

  • Patricia Arquette
    • True Romance (Alabama Whitman)
    • Holy Matrimony (Havana)
    • Flirting with Disaster (Nancy Coplin)
    • Nightwatch (Katherine)
    • Bringing Out the Dead (Mary Burke)
    • Little Nicky (Valerie Veran)
    • Human Nature (Lila Jute)
    • Holes (Katherine "Kissin' Kate" Barlow)
    • Medium (Allison Dubois)
    • Boyhood (Olivia Evans)
    • CSI: Cyber (Avery Ryan)
    • Otherhood (Gillian Lieberman)
  • Drew Barrymore
    • Bad Girls (1997 TV Asahi edition) (Lily Laronette)
    • Ever After (Danielle De Barbarac)
    • Never Been Kissed (Josie Geller)
    • Charlie's Angels (Dylan Sanders)
    • Riding in Cars with Boys (Beverly Ann "Bev" Donofrio)
    • Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (Dylan Sanders)
    • 50 First Dates (Lucy Whitmore)
    • Fever Pitch (Lindsey Meeks)
  • Renée Zellweger
    • A Price Above Rubies (Sonia Horowitz)
    • The Bachelor (Anne Arden)
    • Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones)
    • Chicago (Roxanne "Roxie" Hart)
    • Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (Bridget Jones)
    • Cinderella Man (Mae Braddock)
    • Leatherheads (Lexie Littleton)
    • Bridget Jones's Baby (Bridget Jones)
  • Sandra Bullock
    • Demolition Man (1997 TV Asahi edition) (Lieutenant Lenina Huxley)
    • Speed (1998 TV Asahi edition) (Annie Porter)
    • The Net (TV Asahi edition) (Angela Bennett)
    • Miss Congeniality (2005 NTV edition) (Gracie Hart)
    • Crash (Jean Cabot)
    • Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2008 NTV edition) (Gracie Hart)
  • Reese Witherspoon
    • Pleasantville (Jennifer)
    • Little Nicky (Holly)
    • Legally Blonde (Elle Woods)
    • Sweet Home Alabama (Melanie "Carmichael" Smooter Perry)
    • Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (Elle Woods)
    • This Means War (Lauren Scott)
  • Juliette Lewis
    • Cape Fear (Danielle Bowden)
    • The Basketball Diaries (Diane Moody)
    • From Dusk till Dawn (Kate Fuller)
    • The Way of the Gun (Robin)
  • All the Right Moves (1991 NTV edition) (Lisa Lietzke (Lea Thompson))
  • Armour of God II: Operation Condor (Elsa)
  • Beverly Hills, 90210 (Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth))
  • BH90210 (Jennie Garth/Kelly Taylor)
  • Big Eyes (Margaret Keane (Amy Adams))
  • Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (Elizabeth (Annette Azcuy))
  • Blue Velvet (1991 TV Tokyo edition) (Sandy Williams (Laura Dern))
  • Bram Stoker's Dracula (1995 TV Asahi edition) (Mina Harker (Winona Ryder))
  • Crank (Eve Lydon (Amy Smart))
  • Crank: High Voltage (Eve Lydon (Amy Smart))
  • Dinosaurs (Charlene Sinclair)
  • A Discovery of Witches (Sarah Bishop (Alex Kingston))
  • The Father (Anne (Olivia Colman))
  • Father of the Bride (Annie Banks (Kimberly Williams-Paisley))
  • Father of the Bride Part II (Annie Banks-Mackenzie (Kimberly Williams-Paisley))
  • The Fifth Element (Leeloo Minaï Lekatariba-Laminaï-Tchaï Ekbat de Sebat (Milla Jovovich))
  • Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (J.J. (Saffron Henderson))
  • Friends (Melissa Warburton (Winona Ryder))
  • Ghost Stories (Simon Rifkind (Alex Lawther))
  • The Gilded Age (Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski))
  • He Got Game (Dakota Barns (Milla Jovovich))
  • Heartbreakers (Page Conners (Jennifer Love Hewitt))
  • The Huntsman: Winter's War (Bromwyn (Sheridan Smith))
  • Kindergarten Cop (Cindy (Alix Koromzay))
  • Kissing Jessica Stein (Helen Cooper (Heather Juergensen))
  • Little Voice (Laura Hoff / LV (Jane Horrocks))
  • The Medium (Nim (Sawanee Utoomma))
  • Peaceful (Crystal (Catherine Deneuve))
  • Romeo Must Die (Trish O'Day (Aaliyah))
  • Secret Sunshine (Lee Shin-ae (Jeon Do-yeon))
  • Stealing Beauty (Lucy Harmon (Liv Tyler))
  • Ted (Norah Jones)
  • The Terminator (2003 TV Tokyo edition) (Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton))
  • The War (Elvadine)
  • Thunderbolt (Amy Yip) (Anita Yuen)
  • Wonka (Mrs. Scrubbit (Olivia Colman))
  • Wrong Turn (Jessie Burlingame (Eliza Dushku))
  • Zoolander (Matilda Jeffries (Christine Taylor))

Animation

Discography

Albums

Title Released Label Format(s) Catalog # Peak position Sales Notes
Cluster April 28, 1993 EMI Music Japan CD TYCY-5301
華の宴
(Hana no Utage)
May 19, 1993 EMI Music Japan CD TYTY-5302
Destiny July 12, 1995 Pioneer LDC CD PICA-1067
Rica the Best May 23, 2001 VAP CD VPCD-81374/5 2 CDs
まんまる
(Manmaru)
September 30, 2009 Sound Mission Label CD ZMCZ-5087
松本梨香が歌うポケモンソングベスト
(Matsumoto Rika ga Utau Pokemon Songu Besuto)
July 16, 2011 Kadokawa / Media Factory CD, digital download ZMCP-7317 #85 Spent 7 weeks on the Oricon charts

Other songs

  • "Get a Dream" (Opening of Sunrise Eiyuutan/Sunrise Eiyuutan R)
  • "Alive A life" (Opening for Kamen Rider Ryuki, Remix tracks of Rider Chips' Song Attack Ride Vol.1)
  • "Mezase Pokémon Master" (Opening for Pokémon: Original Series Chapter 1: Sekiei Rīgu)
  • "Mezase Pokémon Master '98" (Opening for Pokémon Movie 1: Myūtsū no Gyakushū)
  • "Mezase Pokémon Master 2001" (Opening for Pokémon Movie 4: Serebii Toki wo Koeta Deai)
  • "Mezase Pokémon Master 2002" (Opening for Pokémon Movie 5: Mizu no Miyako no Mamori Gami - Latias to Latios)
  • "Oyasumi, Boku no Pikachu" (from the Mezase Pokémon Masutā album)
  • "Pokémon Master e no Michi" (from the Pokémon Rocket Gang! It's a White Tomorrow! CD drama) sung with Naoki Takao
  • "Type: Wild" (Ending for Pokémon: Original Series Chapter 1: Sekiei Rīgu & Pokémon: Original Series Chapter 2: Orenji Shotō Hen)
  • "Rival!" (Opening for Pokémon: Original Series Chapter 2: Orenji Shotō Hen & for Pokémon Movie 2: Maboroshi no Pokémon: Lugia Bakutan)
  • "Minna de Aruko!" (from the Pokémon Rapurasu ni Notte album), sung with Ikue Ōtani, Mayumi Iizuka, Satomi Koorogi, Yūji Ueda, Rikako Aikawa, Tomokazu Seki, Mika Kanai & Megumi Hayashibara
  • "Minna ga Itakara" (Insert song for Pokémon Movie 2: Maboroshi no Pokémon: Lugia Bakutan)
  • "OK!" (Opening for Pokémon: Original Series Chapter 3: Kin-Gin Hen)
  • "OK! 2000" (Opening for Pokémon Movie 3: Kesshou Tou no Teiou: Entei)
  • "Challenger!" (Opening for Pokémon: Advanced Generation)
  • "Spurt!" (Opening for Pokémon: Advanced Generation)
  • "High Touch!" (Opening for Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, sung with Megumi Toyoguchi)
  • "High Tough! 2009" (Opening song of Gekijouban Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl: Arceus Chōkoku no Jikū e, and Opening for Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, sung with Megumi Toyoguchi)
  • "Burning Soul" (Hyuga Kojiro image song for the Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 Song Of Kickers CD)
  • "Chiisana Dai Bouken" (Opening for Chi's Sweet Home: Chi's New Address)
  • "Best Wishes!" (Opening for Pokémon: Best Wishes!)
  • "In Your Heart" (From Ultraman Neos), sung with Project DMM
  • "Yajirushi ni Natte!" (Opening for Pokémon: Best Wishes! Season 2)
  • "Yajirushi ni Natte! 2013" (Opening for Pokémon: Best Wishes! Season 2 Episode N)
  • "V (Boruto)" (Alternate Version) (Opening for Pokémon XY, sung with Jewel (J☆Dee'Z))
  • "Getta Ban Ban" (Alternate Version) (Opening for Pokémon XY, sung with Ikue Ōtani)
  • "XY&Z (Ekkusu Wai & Zetto)" (Opening for Pokémon XY&Z)
  • "Arōra!!" (Opening for Pokémon Sun & Moon, sung with Ikue Ōtani)
  • "Mezase Pokémon Masutā 20th Anniversary" (Opening for Pokémon Sun & Moon and for Gekijō-ban Poketto Monsutā Kimi ni kimeta!)
  • "Mezase Pokémon Master 20th Anniversary Ballad ver."
  • "Oyasumi, Boku no Pikachu 2017 ver."
  • "Mezase Pokémon Master '98 (2019 Remaster)" (Opening for Myūtsū no Gyakushū EVOLUTION)
  • "Go! Now! ~Alive A life neo~" (Ending theme for Kamen Rider Zi-O Spinoff - Rider Time: Kamen Rider Ryuki)
  • "1・2・3" (Opening for Pokémon Journeys, sung with Daiki Yamashita)
  • Kotsukotsu-Pon-Pon (Ending theme for Boonboomger)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Rika Matsumoto para niños

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