There are not many anime characters that are as popular and recognizable worldwide as Pikachu. While the cute little Electric-type didn't seem like anything special in the original games, its role in the anime cemented it as a pop culture icon. Not only is Pikachu a great mascot character for Pokémon franchise, but it's also the most recognizable character the series has produced.
You all know the character, but do you know the woman behind the voice? Ikue Otani is a seasoned voice actor who has been in the industry since 1986. While most people may only think they know her from PokémonOtani has had plenty of voice acting roles, some of which may surprise you.
5
Morgana – Persona 5 The Animation
As Pokémonthe Persona franchise is incredibly successful, with multiple mainline games, spin-offs and adaptations. The latest main addition to the series, Persona 5introduced Morgana, a strange cat who serves as a party member while also being the game's mascot character.
Otani gets to flex his voice acting muscles a lot more as Morgana, with this game's mascot character able to fully articulate, unlike Pikachu. Although she is intelligent and often wants to do the right thing, Morgana is also incredibly proud and insecure. Otani does a great job of fleshing out Morgana, and while he can be a bit annoying at times, the energy Otani brings to the role makes him a memorable addition to the series.
4
Mitch Tsuburaya – Detective Conan
While Pokémon may be the most prominent franchise Otani has lent her voice talents to, it's not the only major franchise she's worked on. Anime fans may recognize her as the voice of Mitch Tsuburaya the next time they watch Detective Conan.
Mitch is a smart and well-rounded character, but is a bit more reserved than other characters Otani is known for voicing. Mitch may not steal the show, but Otani always does a good job of making him stand out.
3
Tony Tony Chopper – One Piece
Who would have guessed that the Straw Hat Crew's doctor would share a voice with Ash's oldest traveling companion? Chopper definitely has more to say than Pikachu does in any given episode, but you can tell it's the same voice actor behind both characters, especially when he gets excited and his voice rises.
Otani has voiced Chopper for almost as long as she has voiced Pikachu, and her first appearance as the character came four years after the first episode of Pokémon anime aired. Most voice actors would love to have an iconic character to voice throughout their career. Otani has done an amazing job with both Chopper and Pikachu for decades.
2
Konohamaru Sarutobi – Naruto
Otani has not only had prominent roles in Pokémon and One Piecebut she has also voiced one of the most popular supporting characters in Naruto: Konohamaru Sarutobi.
Konohamaru falls right into Otani's niche of cute or childish characters. She has such an iconic voice that it's hard to miss, but she does enough of Konohamaru's voice that you might miss it if you don't already know.
1
Sachiko Shinozaki – Corpse Party Series
Every character on this list so far has pretty much been in line with what you'd expect from Pikachu's voice actor. But there is one character Otani voices that fans probably wouldn't expect her to do. Although most of her well-known roles are for tamer series, some anime and game fans may know her as the voice of the demented Sachiko Shinozaki in Funeral service franchise.
A sinister and twisted killer, Sachiko is a vengeful spirit who lures innocent victims to an almost inescapable otherworldly dimension where she and other ghosts pick them off. Not exactly the kind of role one would associate Otani's iconic voice with. Although Sachiko doesn't talk too much throughout the games and OVAs, you can get some hints about Pikachu when she does. You may never see the happy little mascot character the same way again once you connect.
Pokémon
- Release date
-
1997 – 2023
- Network
-
TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
- Directors
-
Shigeru Omachi, Koji Ogawa, Fumihiro Ueno, Hideki Hiroshima, Maki Kodaira, Makoto Ooga, Ayumi Moriyama, Keitaro Motonaga, Shigeru Ueda, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Minoru Ohara, Yoshitaka Makino, Kiyoshi Egami, Makoto Sokuzaa,, Ken Nishida, Tomoe Makino, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Takagi, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Ryohei Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Oda, Hiromichi Matano
- Author
-
Junki Takegami, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hideki Sonoda, Yukiyoshi Ôhashi, Yuka Miyata, Takeshi Shudo, Shouji Yonemura, Shinzo Fujita, Michihiro Tsuchiya, Deko Akao, Reiko Yoshida, Aya Matsui, Junichi Fujisaku
-
Rica Matsumoto
Satoshi (voice)
-
Ikue Otani
Pikachu (voice)
