"I Choose You!"
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| Movies & Specials Guide | Pocket
Monsters The Movie "I
Choose You!"
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: I've been performing with Pokemon for 20 years so it's become a part of my daily life. But when I heard that this year's movie was going to redo the scenes of Satoshi and Pikachu meeting for the first time my eyes started to well up as all these memories from the last 20 years started to come flooding in.
Q: What does Satoshi mean to you after the 20 years that have passed?
A: I'm not “playing” Satoshi so much as he just comes out of me naturally so I approach it like he's a friend, a brother, a family member. He's someone I can't separate myself from and so it really is a Rika Matsumoto = Satoshi type situation.
Q: Please tell us about some moments that have stuck out to you during the 20 years you've worked as Satoshi's voice actor.
A: The theme song to this year's movie, Mezase Pokemon Master, was also used as the first opening theme to the TV series, and back in those days I'd go around the country and sing it with a huge number of fans. I was so happy to see them all express their love of Pokemon in such a way.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from this movie that impressed you, Ms. Matsumoto.
A: I really love the TV episode “Bye Bye Butterfree” so being able to relive that was really something else. I feel like, at that time, the fathers and mothers watching that broadcast were able to look at the episode from the same point of view as their children and were therefore able to cry and talk about it together.
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from this film's recording.
A: During the battle scene at the climax of the movie I ended up yelling so much that my voice gave out! I guess it's because I feel like if I hold back any then my performance won't sound real. My muscles were sore the next day and it made me feel like I'm some kind of athlete or something (laughs). Twenty years ago the same thing happened when recording for the first movie so I felt like I was going back to being a rookie.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, who is your favorite, Ms. Matsumoto?
A: Whenever I've been asked this in the past I always say Karakara even though I should probably be saying Pikachu. But if you ask me who I'm drawn to I'll say Mewtwo since it's a part of the family. Oh, and I really like Gekkouga too. But I think there's something really touching and intense about Mewtwo and its life.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now as well as the adult Pokemon fans who were kids 20 years ago.
A: For the last 20 years I've wanted to be like Satoshi when he tells people “I want to be your friend” and so I'm thankful whenever anyone says that back to me. I want everyone to keep following Satoshi's adventures from here on out.
Q: We have a question here from Ikue Otani. Up until now you've said “So-and-so, I choose you!” to a lot of different pokemon. Out of all the names you've had to say are there any that you've honestly had trouble spitting out or remembering?
A: I can say them all now but if someone asks me to say Deoxys (Japanese: De-o-ki-shi-su) or Kapu Kokeko three times fast then I'll have trouble (laughs)
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: I feel like “Huh!? It's been 20 years already?” I'm really shocked at this because to me it seems like we started this just the other day. Just looking at the number 20 makes me think of just how many months and years have passed since then. But it's also all been happening in the blink of an eye.
Q: What does Pikachu mean to you after the 20 years that have passed?
A: Pikachu can't use human-like words to make itself understood so I had to really dig deep to figure out how to convey its feelings. Playing Pikachu has been a really educational experience for me as someone who considers herself an expressive person.
Q: Please tell us about some moments that have stuck out to you during the 20 years you've worked as Pikachu's voice actor.
A: I deliberately played the scene where Pikachu is calling out to Satoshi after he gets turned to stone in Mewtwo Strikes Back as Pikachu not really understanding what's going on. I'll always have a special place in my heart for scenes like that which allow me to express something completely different from what the humans are feeling.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from this movie that impressed you, Ms. Otani.
A: It has to be the scene where Pikachu speaks human language...well, when Satoshi feels like Pikachu is speaking human language, anyway. I've thought about wanting to see Pikachu say words in the past but when the time came to actually do it I got really nervous. It felt like we were stepping into a some kind of forbidden territory (laughs).
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from this film's recording.
A: All the other voice actors who have been with this from the beginning all have these amazing “techniques” they use on the job (laughs). We'll be like “How are you going to play this? Oh, like that?” “In that case I'll do it like this instead!” We all have a rivalry (in the best sense of the word) and elevating each other as we record is a lot of fun.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, who is your favorite, Ms. Otani?
A: The one I can puff my chest out and declare the best is probably Pikachu. We've been together the longest, you see...it really is a hard working little guy! I also like Mimikkyu. There's just so many mysteries surrounding it, you know? It also kind of looks like Pikachu so that's got my attention.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now as well as the adult Pokemon fans who were kids 20 years ago.
A: Pokemon crosses generations and borders, of course, and I think it's a great communication tool that can share stories that we can all enjoy. This year's movie can act as a bridge to connect current fans and older fans and I hope you all enjoy it.
Q: We have a question here from Rika Matsumoto. What is something about Pikachu you're really particular about or something you can't put into words?
A: If there's something Pikachu doesn't feel then I make it so it doesn't express it. This difference between humans and pokemon is something I really pay attention to. Otherwise Pikachu just sort of becomes a little too convenient, a little too easy. If there are any parts that are giving me trouble then I make sure to check with the director first.
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: If I think about it we've really come a long way, but story-wise we haven't gone very far at all.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from Pocket Monsters The Movie “I Choose You!” that sticks out to you.
A: I feel like we were sent blasting off a lot.
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from recording over the last 20 years.
A: We Rocket-Dan (voice actors) really are the Rocket-Dan when we step into the studio. And if there are times when we don't appear then we're sad. Kojirou (Miki-kun), thank you for always noticing when I've left my belongings behind. Nyarth (Inu-chan), thank you for always giving me a bite of your delicious food.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now and those who were kids 20 years ago.
A: Just as Satoshi has been aiming to be a Pokemon Master for 20 years, the Rocket-Dan has been going after Pikachu for 20 years. The fact that you can drop in on them any time and nothing's changed is kind of courageous, in a way. To all you kids out there, be like Satoshi and keep doing your best! And to all you adults out there, be like the Rocket-Dan and don't let failure keep you down!
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, what's your favorite?
A: It's definitely Fushigidane since it's the first one I got to meet. I cried at that scene when the two Fushigidane are hitting each other in the first movie Mewtwo Strikes Back.
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: The number of shows we've done has certainly added up but it doesn't feel that way to me at all.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from Pocket Monsters The Movie “I Choose You!” that sticks out to you.
A: It has to be the scene where Hitokage first shows up.
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from recording over the last 20 years.
A: But then they wouldn't be secrets.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now and those who were kids 20 years ago.
A: To everyone out there, thank you so much for everything. And we hope you continue to watch.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, what's your favorite?
A: Muskippa and Manene and Chirean...choosing a number one is tough. The one that really left an impact on me is “Rumika” but oh yeah, she wasn't a pokemon (laughs).
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: It's really strange how it all happened in the blink of an eye.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from Pocket Monsters The Movie “I Choose You!” that sticks out to you.
A: Definitely the opening song! Because it just comes at you at full speed!
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from recording over the last 20 years.
A: Musashi, or rather Ms. Hayashibara, is always forgetting her stuff at the studio but there was this one time when she left some white fish shashimi behind that we still talk about even today.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now and those who were kids 20 years ago.
A: Both children and adults are Pokemon fans! That's so great Nya! I'm so very thankful.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, what's your favorite?
A: The answer's obviously going to be Lord Nyarth!
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: I still remember the day we recorded the first episode of the TV series. I was worried about how I was going to make the narrator, Dr. Orchid, and Onisuzume all sound different from each other and remember believing that there was something special about Dr. Orchid as I played him.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from Pocket Monsters The Movie “I Choose You!” that sticks out to you.
A: It's when Satoshi and Pikachu first met. I looked at the two of them as if I really was Orchid in that moment and wondered what kind of relationship the two of them were going to have from here on out.
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from recording over the last 20 years.
A: At first I couldn't do the pokemon cries very well but lately I've been able to figure out the general feel of what I need to do.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now and those who were kids 20 years ago.
A: Please cherish each and every encounter you have, whether they're with new pokemon, older pokemon from the past, or pokemon you just really like.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, what's your favorite?
A: It's Mewtwo. It's really cool.
Back to the page for Pocket Monsters The Movie "I Choose You"
The pamphlet that went on sale
with the
Japanese theatrical release of Pocket
Monsters The Movie "I Choose You!" included a two page Pokémon Movie 20th Anniversary
Q&A that features interviews with Rika Matsumoto (Satoshi),
Ikue Otani (Pikachu), Megumi Hayashibara (Musashi), Shinichirou Miki
(Kojirou), Inuko Inuyama (Nyarth), and Unshou Ishizuka (Dr. Orchid).
Translations of the interviews follow:
| Rika Matsumoto (Satoshi) |
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: I've been performing with Pokemon for 20 years so it's become a part of my daily life. But when I heard that this year's movie was going to redo the scenes of Satoshi and Pikachu meeting for the first time my eyes started to well up as all these memories from the last 20 years started to come flooding in.
Q: What does Satoshi mean to you after the 20 years that have passed?
A: I'm not “playing” Satoshi so much as he just comes out of me naturally so I approach it like he's a friend, a brother, a family member. He's someone I can't separate myself from and so it really is a Rika Matsumoto = Satoshi type situation.
Q: Please tell us about some moments that have stuck out to you during the 20 years you've worked as Satoshi's voice actor.
A: The theme song to this year's movie, Mezase Pokemon Master, was also used as the first opening theme to the TV series, and back in those days I'd go around the country and sing it with a huge number of fans. I was so happy to see them all express their love of Pokemon in such a way.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from this movie that impressed you, Ms. Matsumoto.
A: I really love the TV episode “Bye Bye Butterfree” so being able to relive that was really something else. I feel like, at that time, the fathers and mothers watching that broadcast were able to look at the episode from the same point of view as their children and were therefore able to cry and talk about it together.
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from this film's recording.
A: During the battle scene at the climax of the movie I ended up yelling so much that my voice gave out! I guess it's because I feel like if I hold back any then my performance won't sound real. My muscles were sore the next day and it made me feel like I'm some kind of athlete or something (laughs). Twenty years ago the same thing happened when recording for the first movie so I felt like I was going back to being a rookie.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, who is your favorite, Ms. Matsumoto?
A: Whenever I've been asked this in the past I always say Karakara even though I should probably be saying Pikachu. But if you ask me who I'm drawn to I'll say Mewtwo since it's a part of the family. Oh, and I really like Gekkouga too. But I think there's something really touching and intense about Mewtwo and its life.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now as well as the adult Pokemon fans who were kids 20 years ago.
A: For the last 20 years I've wanted to be like Satoshi when he tells people “I want to be your friend” and so I'm thankful whenever anyone says that back to me. I want everyone to keep following Satoshi's adventures from here on out.
Q: We have a question here from Ikue Otani. Up until now you've said “So-and-so, I choose you!” to a lot of different pokemon. Out of all the names you've had to say are there any that you've honestly had trouble spitting out or remembering?
A: I can say them all now but if someone asks me to say Deoxys (Japanese: De-o-ki-shi-su) or Kapu Kokeko three times fast then I'll have trouble (laughs)
| Ikue Otani (Pikachu) |
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: I feel like “Huh!? It's been 20 years already?” I'm really shocked at this because to me it seems like we started this just the other day. Just looking at the number 20 makes me think of just how many months and years have passed since then. But it's also all been happening in the blink of an eye.
Q: What does Pikachu mean to you after the 20 years that have passed?
A: Pikachu can't use human-like words to make itself understood so I had to really dig deep to figure out how to convey its feelings. Playing Pikachu has been a really educational experience for me as someone who considers herself an expressive person.
Q: Please tell us about some moments that have stuck out to you during the 20 years you've worked as Pikachu's voice actor.
A: I deliberately played the scene where Pikachu is calling out to Satoshi after he gets turned to stone in Mewtwo Strikes Back as Pikachu not really understanding what's going on. I'll always have a special place in my heart for scenes like that which allow me to express something completely different from what the humans are feeling.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from this movie that impressed you, Ms. Otani.
A: It has to be the scene where Pikachu speaks human language...well, when Satoshi feels like Pikachu is speaking human language, anyway. I've thought about wanting to see Pikachu say words in the past but when the time came to actually do it I got really nervous. It felt like we were stepping into a some kind of forbidden territory (laughs).
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from this film's recording.
A: All the other voice actors who have been with this from the beginning all have these amazing “techniques” they use on the job (laughs). We'll be like “How are you going to play this? Oh, like that?” “In that case I'll do it like this instead!” We all have a rivalry (in the best sense of the word) and elevating each other as we record is a lot of fun.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, who is your favorite, Ms. Otani?
A: The one I can puff my chest out and declare the best is probably Pikachu. We've been together the longest, you see...it really is a hard working little guy! I also like Mimikkyu. There's just so many mysteries surrounding it, you know? It also kind of looks like Pikachu so that's got my attention.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now as well as the adult Pokemon fans who were kids 20 years ago.
A: Pokemon crosses generations and borders, of course, and I think it's a great communication tool that can share stories that we can all enjoy. This year's movie can act as a bridge to connect current fans and older fans and I hope you all enjoy it.
Q: We have a question here from Rika Matsumoto. What is something about Pikachu you're really particular about or something you can't put into words?
A: If there's something Pikachu doesn't feel then I make it so it doesn't express it. This difference between humans and pokemon is something I really pay attention to. Otherwise Pikachu just sort of becomes a little too convenient, a little too easy. If there are any parts that are giving me trouble then I make sure to check with the director first.
| Megumi Hayashibara (Musashi) |
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: If I think about it we've really come a long way, but story-wise we haven't gone very far at all.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from Pocket Monsters The Movie “I Choose You!” that sticks out to you.
A: I feel like we were sent blasting off a lot.
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from recording over the last 20 years.
A: We Rocket-Dan (voice actors) really are the Rocket-Dan when we step into the studio. And if there are times when we don't appear then we're sad. Kojirou (Miki-kun), thank you for always noticing when I've left my belongings behind. Nyarth (Inu-chan), thank you for always giving me a bite of your delicious food.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now and those who were kids 20 years ago.
A: Just as Satoshi has been aiming to be a Pokemon Master for 20 years, the Rocket-Dan has been going after Pikachu for 20 years. The fact that you can drop in on them any time and nothing's changed is kind of courageous, in a way. To all you kids out there, be like Satoshi and keep doing your best! And to all you adults out there, be like the Rocket-Dan and don't let failure keep you down!
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, what's your favorite?
A: It's definitely Fushigidane since it's the first one I got to meet. I cried at that scene when the two Fushigidane are hitting each other in the first movie Mewtwo Strikes Back.
| Shinichirou Miki (Kojirou) |
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: The number of shows we've done has certainly added up but it doesn't feel that way to me at all.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from Pocket Monsters The Movie “I Choose You!” that sticks out to you.
A: It has to be the scene where Hitokage first shows up.
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from recording over the last 20 years.
A: But then they wouldn't be secrets.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now and those who were kids 20 years ago.
A: To everyone out there, thank you so much for everything. And we hope you continue to watch.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, what's your favorite?
A: Muskippa and Manene and Chirean...choosing a number one is tough. The one that really left an impact on me is “Rumika” but oh yeah, she wasn't a pokemon (laughs).
| Inuko Inuyama (Nyarth) |
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: It's really strange how it all happened in the blink of an eye.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from Pocket Monsters The Movie “I Choose You!” that sticks out to you.
A: Definitely the opening song! Because it just comes at you at full speed!
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from recording over the last 20 years.
A: Musashi, or rather Ms. Hayashibara, is always forgetting her stuff at the studio but there was this one time when she left some white fish shashimi behind that we still talk about even today.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now and those who were kids 20 years ago.
A: Both children and adults are Pokemon fans! That's so great Nya! I'm so very thankful.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, what's your favorite?
A: The answer's obviously going to be Lord Nyarth!
| Ishizuka Unshou (Dr. Orchid) |
Q: Please give us your honest opinion looking back at the last 20 years.
A: I still remember the day we recorded the first episode of the TV series. I was worried about how I was going to make the narrator, Dr. Orchid, and Onisuzume all sound different from each other and remember believing that there was something special about Dr. Orchid as I played him.
Q: Please tell us about a scene from Pocket Monsters The Movie “I Choose You!” that sticks out to you.
A: It's when Satoshi and Pikachu first met. I looked at the two of them as if I really was Orchid in that moment and wondered what kind of relationship the two of them were going to have from here on out.
Q: Please tell us some behind-the-scenes stories or secrets from recording over the last 20 years.
A: At first I couldn't do the pokemon cries very well but lately I've been able to figure out the general feel of what I need to do.
Q: Please leave a message for the Pokemon fans who are kids now and those who were kids 20 years ago.
A: Please cherish each and every encounter you have, whether they're with new pokemon, older pokemon from the past, or pokemon you just really like.
Q: Out of the more than 800 pokemon that are out there, what's your favorite?
A: It's Mewtwo. It's really cool.
Back to the page for Pocket Monsters The Movie "I Choose You"
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