Animedia June 2020 Rica Matsumoto Interview

Dogasu's Backpack | Features | Animedia June 2020 Rica Matsumoto Interview

The June 2020 issue of Animedia (on-sale May 9th, 2020) included an eight-page feature on the Pocket Monsters (2019) animated series that included interviews with members of both the show's cast and crew.

Below is a translation of the interview they ran with Rica Matsumoto, the voice actor who portrays Satoshi.

Rica Matsumoto
Born November 30th. From Kanagawa Prefecture. Singer, voice actor, and "Cool Japan" ambassador. Her main works are the role of Wasimo in Wasimo and as the Japanese dub voice for foreign actresses such as Sandra Bullock, Milla Jovovich, Renée Zellweger, and more.

"A lot of care goes toward synchronizing our breathing"

Animedia: It's been about half a year since the Pocket Monsters (2019) animated series started and Satoshi's and Gou's journeys began. So I guess that means your recording sessions with Daiki Yamashita, who plays Gou, have been going smoothly then?

Rica Matsumoto: We both love Pokémon so much that we can't stop ourselves from talking about it, even when we're on break. I think the two of us make a really great team. I hope that energy comes across to everyone who watches the show.

Animedia: Please tell us if there's anything you two keep in your minds or pay special attention to in order to make Satoshi and Gou the strong duo that they are.

Matsumoto: Gou and I have things like the title screens and other parts of the show that we have to say in unison... and so I don't know if you'd call it "special attention" or anything like that, but a lot of care goes toward synchronizing our breathing, probably more than what's put toward the actual dialogue itself.

Animedia: It seems like in this series, there are a lot of episodes that put a spotlight on Satoshi's kindness. Please tell us what it's like to play such a versatile character who has so many different things happen to him.

Matsumoto: For a long long time, and even now, actually, I play him the same way, always keeping in mind that Satoshi is a kind boy who’s considerate of other people and Pokémon.

I don't ever steer away from that, not even under special circumstances, but at the same time I still want to make sure Satoshi's and Gou express their individuality properly.

Animedia: Here's a "what if?" question for you. What do you think Satoshi and Gou would do if they had a day where they didn't have to head out on a research trip? Please come up with what you think they'd do.

Matsumoto: I think Satoshi would want to go on a research trip no matter what day it is (laughs). But if for some reason he absolutely couldn't go on one then I think he'd just stay at home and have a bunch of practice battles or something like that. But I think he'd probably treat them too much like the real thing, get carried away, and end up breaking something inside the house (laughs)

"Satoshi is a kind boy who’s considerate of other people and Pokémon" (Matsumoto)

Animedia: If you, Ms. Matsumoto, became a Research Fellow in the world of Pokémon, where would you want to go and what would you want to do?

Matsumoto: I'd want to go to Mewtwo's Island, meet Mewtwo, and have a nice little talk about the meaning of life (laughs)

Animedia: Could you please send us off with a message to Animedia's readers that includes what we have to look forward to in the future?

Matsumoto: The current series already has a lot of episodes with stories that have something in them for everybody. Even I get excited thinking about what kind of adventures are waiting for us today and how we'll overcome our obstacles. Some people out there might say "Well, I haven't been watching Pokémon lately...," but the great thing about Pocket Monsters (2019) is that it's a show you can pick up from any episode and enjoy and so it would mean a lot to us if you tuned in as well! "Pokémon" has been going on for 23 years at this point. We hope you all continue supporting us with your unwavering love.

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