Rika Matsumoto, the voice of Ash Ketchum in the original Japanese version of the Pokémon series, gave fans an absolutely thrilling performance of the opening title theme for Ash’s final journey. She performed it as part of the YouTube series The First Take, and it’s a must-see for Pokémon fans and anyone looking to brighten their day.
Ash and Pikachu will retire as protagonists of the Pokémon series in March. The young trainer and Pikachu have been the protagonists of the series since its inception in 1997 and will star in their final episode on March 24 in Japan. Ash’s final arc will feature remarkable reunions between Ash and other beloved characters such as Brock, Misty, and of course, Team Rocket. In addition to an original story, the final chapter of the arc is given a special theme sung by Matsumoto.
The song is called “Mezase Pokémon Master -with my friends-“, and you can download the full recording on YouTube. Matsumoto exudes charisma and energy in the video. At the very beginning, she calls out in Ash’s familiar voice, adding even more nostalgia to the performance. Accompanied by a full band and backing singers, she does a great job. When she ends, we see her holding her own hands and smiling – it’s really heartwarming.
For those who are not familiar: Matsumoto’s work is not limited to voice-over. She is also an accomplished musician who helped found the anison band JAM Project and performed other songs for the Pokémon series in the past. She sang the Japanese themes for several movies, including Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution, and various seasons of the show.
