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Rica Matsumoto facts for kids

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The native form of this personal name is Matsumoto Rika. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
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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 56)
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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. She was born in Yokohama, Japan. Her name is sometimes written as Rika Matsumoto. She helped start the anison band JAM Project. Anison is a type of music often used in anime shows.

Rica Matsumoto started her career on stage. Later, she began voice acting and singing. Her most famous role is Satoshi, known as Ash Ketchum in English. Ash is the main character of the Pokémon anime series. She also sings many of the opening songs for the Japanese Pokémon anime. Other important roles include Ryo Bakura in Yu-Gi-Oh! and Aoi Futaba in You're Under Arrest.

Matsumoto has played lead or supporting roles in many TV shows. She also had a radio show in Japan. She has done dubbing work, which means she voices characters for American films and TV shows translated into Japanese. In 2008, she took a break from JAM Project to focus on her solo music.

Rica Matsumoto: The Voice of Ash Ketchum

Rica Matsumoto is best known for being the voice of Satoshi, or Ash Ketchum. Ash is the main hero of the Pokémon anime. She has voiced Ash for many years, starting in 1997. This role made her very popular around the world.

Early Life and Career

Rica Matsumoto was born on November 30, 1968. She started her acting career in 1986. Her first voice acting role was Choromatsu in Osomatsu-kun in 1988. In 1991, she got her first main role as Jin Hyuga in Matchless Raijin-Oh.

Other Famous Roles

Besides Ash Ketchum, Rica Matsumoto has voiced many other characters. She was Ryo Bakura in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters. She also voiced Midori Kodama in Azuki-chan. Another key role was Aoi Futaba in the police comedy series You're Under Arrest. She has been in dozens of animated TV shows.

Music and Songs

Rica Matsumoto is also a talented singer. She has released several albums. Many of her songs are theme songs for anime shows. She is especially known for singing the opening themes for Pokémon. Songs like "Mezase Pokémon Master" are very famous. She was also a founding member of JAM Project, a band known for singing anime theme songs.

Voice Acting in Games and Movies

Rica Matsumoto has lent her voice to many video games. She voiced Musashi in Brave Fencer Musashi. She also played Kitarō in the GeGeGe no Kitarō games. In movies, she continued to voice Ash Ketchum in all the Pokémon films. She also voiced characters in other animated movies like Metropolis.

Dubbing for Hollywood Stars

Rica Matsumoto has dubbed many famous Hollywood actresses into Japanese. She was the voice for Patricia Arquette in films like True Romance and the TV series Medium. She also voiced Drew Barrymore in movies like Ever After and Charlie's Angels. Other stars she has voiced include Renée Zellweger (in Bridget Jones's Diary) and Sandra Bullock (in Speed).

Filmography

Television Animation

  • 1988: Osomatsu-kun – Choromatsu
  • 1991: Matchless Raijin-Oh – Jin Hyuga
  • 1995: Azuki-chan – Midori Kodama
  • 1996: You're Under Arrest – Aoi Futaba
  • 1997–2020: Pocket Monsters – Satoshi (Ash Ketchum)
  • 1998: Outlaw Star – James "Jim" Hawking
  • 2001: Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters – Ryo Bakura
  • 2005: Naruto – Suzume-bachi
  • 2009: Chi's Sweet Home: Chi's New Address – Tora
  • 2012: Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Inspector – Carla Borgnine
  • 2021: Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor – Jabe

Original Video Animation (OVA)

  • 1993: Moldiver – Nozomu Ozora
  • 1994–1996: Dirty Pair Flash – Kei
  • 1995: Miyuki-chan in Wonderland – Sumire-chan
  • 1996–1998: Shamanic Princess – Japolo

Theatrical Animation

  • 1991: Roujin Z – Chie Satō
  • 1998–2020: Pocket Monsters films – Satoshi
  • 1998: Perfect Blue – Rumi
  • 1999: Taiho Shichauzo the Movie – Aoi Futaba
  • 2001: Metropolis – Female customer
  • 2016: Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions – Bakura
  • 2017: DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon – Wonder Woman

Video Games

  • 1994: Lunar 2: Eternal Blue – Nall
  • 1998: Brave Fencer Musashi – Musashi
  • 2003: GeGeGe no Kitarō series – Kitarō
  • 2005: Kingdom Hearts II – Megara
  • 2013: Mario Kart Arcade GP DX – Commentator
  • 2019: Kingdom Hearts III – Megara
  • 2022: Pokémon Masters EX – Satoshi

Tokusatsu (Live-Action Special Effects Shows)

  • 1989: Kousoku Sentai Turboranger – Bell Chime Boma (voice)
  • 1990: Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman – Arthur G6 (voice)
  • 1992: Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger – Dora Laygor (voice)
  • 2012: Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger – Masako "Miyabi" Yamada
  • 2024: Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger – Bundorio Bunderas (voice)

Dubbing Roles

Live-action

Animation

Discography

Albums

  • Cluster (1993)
  • Hana no Utage (1993)
  • Destiny (1995)
  • Rica the Best (2001)
  • Manmaru (2009)
  • Matsumoto Rika ga Utau Pokemon Songu Besuto (2011)

Other Songs

  • "Alive A life" (Opening for Kamen Rider Ryuki)
  • "Mezase Pokémon Master" (Opening for Pokémon)
  • "Type: Wild" (Ending for Pokémon)
  • "Rival!" (Opening for Pokémon)
  • "OK!" (Opening for Pokémon)
  • "Challenger!" (Opening for Pokémon: Advanced Generation)
  • "Spurt!" (Opening for Pokémon: Advanced Generation)
  • "High Touch!" (Opening for Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl)
  • "Best Wishes!" (Opening for Pokémon: Best Wishes!)
  • "Yajirushi ni Natte!" (Opening for Pokémon: Best Wishes! Season 2)
  • "V (Boruto)" (Alternate Version) (Opening for Pokémon XY)
  • "Getta Ban Ban" (Alternate Version) (Opening for Pokémon XY)
  • "XY&Z (Ekkusu Wai & Zetto)" (Opening for Pokémon XY&Z)
  • "Arōra!!" (Opening for Pokémon Sun & Moon)
  • "1・2・3" (Opening for Pokémon Journeys)
  • Kotsukotsu-Pon-Pon (Ending theme for Boonboomger)

External links

  • Rica Matsumoto at GamePlaza-Haruka Voice Acting Database
  • Rica Matsumoto at the Japanese Movie Database

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Rika Matsumoto para niños

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