What's After the Movie
Rica Matsumoto
Rica Matsumoto, born November 30, 1968 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, is a prolific Japanese actress, voice actress, and singer whose career has spanned more than three decades. From a young age she displayed a love for performance, first appearing on stage in local theater productions before transitioning to voice work in the mid‑1980s. Her breakthrough came in 1997 when she was cast as Satoshi (Ash Ketchum) in the original Pokémon anime, a role that would define her public image and earn her international recognition; she has voiced the character continuously across the main series, movies, and related video games. In addition to Satoshi, Matsumoto has delivered memorable performances as Ryo Bakura in Yu‑Gi‑Oh!, Aoi Futaba in You're Under Arrest, and Midori Kodama in Azuki-chan, showcasing her versatility across genres ranging from action to comedy. Beyond voice acting, she is an accomplished singer known for recording numerous opening and ending themes for the Pokémon series, including the iconic “Mezase Pokémon Master,” and for her energetic contributions to the anison supergroup JAM Project, which she co‑founded in 2000 before taking a temporary hiatus in 2008 to focus on solo work. Her discography spans J‑pop and anison, with releases on Media Factory and Tokuma Japan Communications, and she regularly performs live at anime conventions worldwide, delighting fans with both music and character appearances. Matsumoto also hosts a popular radio show, lends her voice to Japanese dubs of Hollywood films starring actresses such as Patricia Arquette and Drew Barrymore, and appears in Tokusatsu series like Kamen Rider and various Super Sentai entries. Recognized for her energetic vocal tone and enduring dedication to the craft, she remains an influential figure in Japanese pop culture, continuing to act, record, and inspire new generations of voice talent.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Rica Matsumoto, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Rica Matsumoto rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Rika
Born: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Citizenship: Japanese
Birthday: November 30, 1968
Occupations: actress, voice actress, singer
Years Active: 1986-present
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Rica Matsumoto
Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
Perfect Blue
Pokémon: Zoroark - Master of Illusions
Pokémon: Mewtwo - Prologue to Awakening
Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened
Pokémon the Movie: White - Victini and Zekrom
Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
Pokémon the Movie: Black - Victini and Reshiram
Pikachu, What’s This Key?
Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon
Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution
Pikachu & Pichu
Lupin the Third: Missed by a Dollar
Gun Frontier
Pokémon 4Ever
Blue Remains
Pokémon: Jirachi - Wish Maker
Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon
Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
The Piano Forest
Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns
Hanada Shounen-shi
Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai
Roujin Z
Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman
Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations
Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles
Pokémon: Distant Blue Sky!
Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger
Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles
Ruin Explorers Fam & Ihrie
My Dear Marie
Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie - The Golden Seal
X: The Movie
Treasure Island Memorial
Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals
Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back! - The Kanzenban Edition
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam
Dirty Pair Flash
Princess Minerva
Now and Then, Here and There
Special Duty Combat Unit Shinesman
Pokémon: Pikachu’s Winter Vacation 2
Idol Fighter Su-Chi-Pai II
Weather Report Girl
Shamanic Princess
Into the Blue - Perfect Blue Relay Interview File
Hunter × Hunter Pilot
Kamen Rider Jeanne & Kamen Rider Aguilera with Girls Remix
Pokémon: Pikachu’s Rescue Adventure
Phantom Quest Corp.
Outlaw Star
Sol Bianca: The Legacy
Gatchaman OVA
The Legend of Zorro
Kamen Rider Jeanne & Kamen Rider Aguilera with Girls Remix
Pikachu’s Vacation
Fake
Yona Yona Penguin
Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger GekijoBOON! Promise The Circuit
Pokémon: Pikachu’s Winter Vacation
Moldiver
Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior
Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger VS. King-Ohger
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Rica Matsumoto, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2021
Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
Satoshi
Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations
Himiko Crisper (voice)
2014
Pikachu, What’s This Key?
Satoshi (voice)
Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
Satoshi (voice)
2013
Pokémon: Mewtwo - Prologue to Awakening
Satoshi (voice)
Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened
Satoshi (voice)
2011
Pokémon the Movie: White - Victini and Zekrom
Satoshi (voice)
Pokémon the Movie: Black - Victini and Reshiram
Satoshi (voice)
2006
Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon
Satoshi (voice)
Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
Satoshi (voice)
2000
Pikachu & Pichu
Satoshi (voice)
Lupin the Third: Missed by a Dollar
Sandy Fishburne (voice)
Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns
Satoshi (voice)
1999
Perfect Blue
Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back! - The Kanzenban Edition
Satoshi (Voice)
Pokémon: Pikachu’s Winter Vacation 2
Satoshi (voice)
Pokémon: Pikachu’s Rescue Adventure
Satoshi (voice)
1998
Into the Blue - Perfect Blue Relay Interview File
Self
Hunter × Hunter Pilot
Gon Freecss (voice)
Pikachu’s Vacation
Satoshi (voice)
Pokémon: Pikachu’s Winter Vacation
Satoshi (voice)
1000
Gun Frontier
Hanada Shounen-shi
Kiyohei / Madam Catherine (voice)
Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman
Arthur G6 (voice)
Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles
Satoshi (voice)
Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger
Bundorio Bunderas (voice)
Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles
Satoshi (voice)
Ruin Explorers Fam & Ihrie
Rahsya (voice)
My Dear Marie
Hibiki (voice)
Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals
Prettz (voice)
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam
Warren Trace / Haro (voice)
Dirty Pair Flash
Kei (voice)
Now and Then, Here and There
Special Duty Combat Unit Shinesman
Youta Matsumoto (voice)
Weather Report Girl
Keiko Nakadai (voice)
Shamanic Princess
Graham / Japolo (voice)
Kamen Rider Jeanne & Kamen Rider Aguilera with Girls Remix
Mitsuko Fujimoto / Ms. Titan
Phantom Quest Corp.
Ayaka Kisaragi (voice)
Outlaw Star
Jim Hawking (voice)
Sol Bianca: The Legacy
The Legend of Zorro
Bernardo
Moldiver
Nozomu Ozora (voice)
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