In the English dub, Sarah Natochenny is the voice actor for Ash Ketchum. In the original Japanese version, he is voiced by Rica Matsumoto.
Ash Ketchum, the iconic protagonist of the Pokémon anime, has been portrayed by different talents across various language adaptations. While his journey as the main character concluded in March 2023, these individuals remain his definitive voice actors.
For the English audience, Ash Ketchum's voice has seen a transition over the years. Veronica Taylor originally lent her voice to Ash for the first eight seasons of the English dub. Following this period, Sarah Natochenny took over the role and has voiced Ash in all subsequent seasons and films, becoming the long-standing and most recent English voice for the character.
Conversely, in the original Japanese version, Ash Ketchum (known as Satoshi) has been consistently voiced by Rica Matsumoto since the anime's debut in 1997. Her enduring performance has defined the character for Japanese audiences throughout his entire run.
Key Voice Actors for Ash Ketchum
Here's a breakdown of the primary voice actors for Ash Ketchum:
| Language | Voice Actor | Role/Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| English | Sarah Natochenny | From season 9 onwards (most recent and current) |
| English | Veronica Taylor | Seasons 1-8 |
| Japanese | Rica Matsumoto | Since the beginning (consistent and original) |
While Ash Ketchum's story as the primary focus of the Pokémon anime has reached its conclusion, Sarah Natochenny and Rica Matsumoto are the most recognized and definitive voices for the character in their respective languages, embodying his adventurous spirit across decades of Pokémon history.
For more detailed information about Ash Ketchum's character and history, you can refer to resources like Wikipedia.
