Save Our Voice Actors!

Hilary Troiano (Pie) - I love Pokémon. I've loved it since I was a little kid, and have watched it since shortly after it started airing. It's the series I grew up on. Ever since WB vanished off my television's list of channels, I've had to go out of my way to see the English dub of the Pokémon Anime. If they mess with my favorite character, Brock, by replacing Eric Stuart with some imitator? I don't see any reason to bother going out of my way to see it anymore. I'm doing what I can to make sure Eric Stuart and the other major Pokémon voice actors stay in the voice acting cast.
Lisa Levenson - I think that Pokemon USA hiring new VAs for Ash and everyone is a very big mistake. The could potentially ruin the dub version, if they manage to do that. And not only does the idea of them not caring about the fans (and only about saving money) enrage me, but it makes me very sad as well. So I am definitely going to do whatever I can to prevent this horrible event from happening.
Jodie Bright (PDUTogepi) - The original VAs have been with this show for it's whole life, it would be silly if they were changed now. I don't want "Sound-alikes" to replace the voice actors that have worked so hard, for the past 8 years, to make Ash and the others what they are today!
Dawn Maier (Nekusagi) - Reason for support:
First, the nostalgia. Pokemon was the only thing keeping me sane during middle school, and gave me a happy escape from the constant bullying I faced daily- the characters are like old friends to me, and it would suck for them to just change their voices.
Second, the fangirling. Meowth was the reason I even started liking Pokemon, and I'd be devastated to hear anyone other than Maddie Blaustein doing his voice. And although a lot of people whine about it, I happen to *like* the way Eric Stuart does James- James is cuddly (don't ask), and he deserves to sound as cuddly as he looks.
Finally, respect for the fans. It sends a bad message about how a business operates when it disregards its customers (in Pokemon USA's case, Pokemon fandom in general) to save money. A lot of businesses have gone down this way. It's low, and just not good business procedure. And it sets a bad example for other businesses.
Paul Shane - All I can say is please support the fans, if you think that people will not notice if the voice actors change I can tell you that it is not the case. Please do not try to 'imitate' what is recognized and loved by many around the world. If you do insist on replacement please create new characters that will not spoil the already cherished voices/actors/charcters so many of us have grown up with. To be honest I do not feel too hopeful about the situation but I do want to say that if you do decide to replace the VA of the Pokemon anime MAKE SURE you do it well and do not let the many fans down. I hope Pokemon company realizes the diversity of the fans of Pokemon.
Steve H. - I feel that changing the cast will change the whole feel and flow of the series, as we know it. Us long time fans are used to and EXPECT the voices to be the same (yet to grow as the series grows) from episode to episode.
PPN fully supports the Save the Voice Actors and offers a pre-made letter you can print out (or copy), various mail address, and an email address where you can send to Pokémon USA. This letter and further information is available at: http://pokemonpalace.net/index.php?id=save_dub Please take a few minutes and copy or print this letter (or write your own) and mail it to Pokémon USA today. Tell them how you feel about their proposed actions.
We, the fans, MUST UNITE to save Pokemon, as we know it.
Lindsay B. (fruitsmoothierevenge) - The voice actors on Pokemon have been a large part of my life since I first heard them on the shows eight years ago. Even though I have grown and expanded my interests, it still brings a smile to my face to flip on the television on Saturday morning and hear the voices that have inspired me all these years. You know that these talented people have made an impact if I can use their names as home- Eric's releasing a new CD!- and have my parents know who I'm talking about. It would be a shame to see the time and effort that the voice actors have put into their characters for the past eight years be set aside in favor of a different voice cast. It's not simply a nostalgia thing; I think that the characters have become a part of them, and to take that away from them unwillingly would be almost cruel. These talented voice actors should have a chance to see their characters out until the end.
Lamees Tayyib from the KSA - I am no fan of the dub, but yeah, what was said about the voice actors is right- at least Rachael Lillis anyway... I can't see anyone else playing her roles, besides her or the original seiyuu. Anyways- I just think they should KEEP the voice actors kids- and adults too of course- have heard for eight years.
Trainer Rachel - I've been a Pokémon fan for what seems like forever... Ever since 1999, I've absolutely adored it and it has become one of the biggest parts of my life. Back then, I was 8, and I remember doing everything that had to do with Pokémon. One of the things I liked the most was the show, and I was of course there to see the First Movie the weekend it came out. The voices are one of the biggest things that makes the characters. I've grown so accustomed to the current voices... who could ever forget James' hysterically funny laugh, or Ash's sweet, yet strong voice? I've really admired how the voice actors have sort of "matured" their voices since the first episodes... for instance, if you compare Ash to what he sounded like during the first few seasons to what he's like now, he sounds more mature, like he has grown up. I love both of Ash's voice "stages", and adore how Veronica Taylor added even more depth to the character, and show in whole, this way. It just wouldn't be the same without her, Eric, Rachael, and just everyone. So fellow Pokémon trainers, let's unite and save our voice actors!!
Josh Nickerson - A hearty "huzzah and kudos" for spreading the word about what could possibly be the worst mistake the Pokemon franchise will ever make. I have been a dedicated fan of the dub since it began airing, and the voice cast has become one of the best I've ever heard.
In my mind, this is akin to replacing the entire cast of the Simpsons with sound alikes. Sure, the humor and animation would still be there, but it would never have the same spirit it once had.
To find out a move like this is motivated purely by money sickens me and quite honestly puts a bitter taste in my mouth about the franchise as a whole. I'm not naive, I know money makes the world go round, but at some point you have to consider the fanbase that has dedicated themselves (not to mention a tidy sum of money) to this series.
I'm proud to give my support to this cause, and I'm going to make as much noise about it as I possibly can.
Scott Reed (MidnightScott) - I support the SOVA campaign because... Well, I can't see our beloved characters being voiced by anyone else then our beloved voice actors. The VA's provided the voice and I became attached to each of their unique voices for each of their characters. I simply don't believe in just taking a voice actor from a character that me, millions of other fans, and the voice actors themselves have grown to love. I've liked the dub from the very beginning - and to replace the voice actors would ruin my whole sense of each character and the nostalgia I have grown into. I just don't believe in changing the future of something that was established 8 years ago. The Voice Actors are people too and us, the fans, support them and don't want to see a change after all the hard work they've put into the characters.
JirachiRob - I don't want Pokémon to change their VAs, because their destroying what we love and thinking we're dumb and won't notice!
Jo Raithby - there is absolutly no way that you can change the voice actors this late on in the series!!! the fact that your even considering it just shows how little you know or care about the fans, not to get to deep but without us guys watching the show......YOU WOULD HAVE NO SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you dare to take away the voice actors that fans around the world have grown to love...then the jokes on you because ratings will fall, why do you think pokemons been so sucessfull? because of the talent and dedication,and skill these actors bring to the characters.I'm from England and pokemon inspired me to become an animator so i know how important voice actors are in bringing out the personality and soul of the character.I SPEAK FOR MILLIONS OF FANS WHEN I SAY THAT IF YOU CHANGE THE VOICES.....YOU LOOSE THE FANS........THEN WHEN WILL ALL YOUR PRECIOUS MONEY COME FROM.
Artemis Taylor - Hello everybody my name is Artemis Taylor, and I've been a Pokémon fan for it hit America hard. I'm a Pokémon Professor for Pokémon Trade Game Card and I for one can't stand to hear that my heroes are going to be fired. Listen if you are a true Pokémon Fan you will do everything in your power to stop this. And keep our Voice-over Actors that we love and growth up/with.
Amanda Brown - I don't want to lose the voices that I have grown so attached to; Eric Stuart, Veronica Taylor, Rachel Lillis and everybody else that worked so hard and poured their hearts into it. Without them, the show will die. Nobody would watch it anymore if the voices were replaced. I am Disgusted that they think the fans don't care! I have taped every episode since the day it premiered in America, and I cried when any character left. If the voices get changed now, it will be the same as killing the show that many of us call our first anime and have grown up with the show.
Torchic23 - I have watched the anime since the very beginning, and have enjoyed the voice actor's hard work. I don't want to see my favorite characters with "Sound-a-likes". No one will ever be as good a Veronica Taylor, such hard work I know she puts into being Ash and May. I'll do what ever I can to save this dub, as changing voice actors might just ruin the whole dub
Victoria (Andromache) - I support this cause because I can't bear the thought of Brock sounding different. I want Eric around to voice Brock for his upcoming spotlight episodes in Battle Frontier. When I think of Brock, it's Eric's interpretation I hear and to have someone else try to really "be" Brock will just devastate me. A voice is part of a character, just as our own voices are part of us. To take that away from a character is wilful butchering that I just can't stand.
Alia - Hi, I'm one of the many Pokemon fans out there who is appalled at the idea of the recast of the Pokemon dub. My reason: I have been watching Pokemon for over 8 years, and although the dub isn't perfect, one of the main reasons I continue to watch it is because of the talented voice actors. In my experiences with watching a lot of different dubbed anime, I know that it takes a long time, sometimes years, for the actors to really get into their roles and grow to love the characters they portray, and Pokemon was one show that has that intimacy captured almost perfectly. Veronica Taylor, Eric Stuart, Racheal Lillis, and the many other veteran voice actors of the Pokemon cast have brought so much life and endearment into the characters after all this time, to suddenly change them now, would make Pokemon seem almost like a totally different show. I just can't imagine anyone else portraying the unique humor of my favorite characters, Team Rocket, or build up such a repitoire for them as the original voice actors have been able to do. And what about the endearing cries of the 386+ pokemon that we have come to recognize and appreciate after all these years? Perhaps Pikachu may be able to keep its voice, but what of the other popular pokemon like Jigglypuff, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle? I don't believe that a company like Pokemon USA is so financially inept that they have to change the voice actors in order to have enough money to keep the show going. This whole prospect seems to be based entirely on greed, and I don't think there's a single fan who's happy about it. Hopefully, Pokemon USA will come to realize their mistake.
ShadowWolfZ - Hiring new voice actors for Pokemon is about the DUMBEST thing Pokemon USA can do. The actors have done the show ever since day one and throwing them out like last week's garbage is like getting rid of what has helped make Pokemon the great show it is today. I have been a fan of Pokemon since day one and to see them do this devasates me. Keep the original voice actors and keep the magic of Pokemon alive.
Derek Coleman
Tsuki Kumori - I think the changes are just wrong. I mean, I remember, with Saiyuki, another anime, I watched the entire first season, then another company owned the next season, "Saiyuki Reload", and they changed the voice actors and I lost interest right away. I know that won't happen with me for Pokemon, but it will happen to a lot of people. The voices are what makes the characters who they are. No one can capture the determination of Ash, the flirtious Brock, the unique May, the self-centered Jessie, the bumbling but funny James, and especially Team Rocket's talking Pokemon, Meowth. Cheap voice actors are just a way of being lazy and I really don't want one of my favorite animes and the show I've been behind for 6 years, to change so dramatically.
Kira O. - Quite simply, I grew up with Pokemon. I was there when the craze first hit America. I was there buying the games, trading back and forth to get all 151. I was there buying the cards, praying that I'd get a Charizard before I ripped open the pack. I was there going to Burger King as many times as possible so I could get the entire set of toys. I was there, buying the VHS videos in red boxes, and lining them up on my bookshelf in order and watching them whenever it wasn't on TV. I was there getting up early on Saturday mornings to watch it. I was there, standing n line at the movie theater, jumping up and down at the though of getting to see the opening of Pokemon 2000. And even now, when I'm twice as old I was then, I still love Pokemon. I still buy the new games, and the guides. And sometimes, I rewatch my VHS videos, because I love the cartoon (anime.)
I always thought that 4kids did a great job with handling the Pokemon dubs. Now that I'm older, I still think that they did an amazing job. Most anime that you watch on TV - you hear the same voice actors over and over again. The voices are so standard. You get used to hearing the Loud Funny Guy, the deep voiced Tough Guy, the Good-Looking Calm Guy, etc. etc. But with Pokemon, there was so much more personality. The voices were so weird and unorthodox. You'd never hear people with the voices in Pokemon in real life, yet, the voices matched the characters on screen so perfectly. And I think that's why I liked it so much. In fact, I even like the English version of the anime more than the Japanese version. You cannot replace the legacy that the original cast has made. It would ruin the series. Please, save the voice actors!
Stephanie - My name is Stephanie and I think that the original Pokemon English dub voice actors should not be replaced. Audiences have grown up with their voices and have learned to accept it. Imagine if that were to be changed, Pokemon would not be the same. And they would lose so many fans, including myself. I will depart from the fandom immediately if that were to happen. And I'm sure a lot of fans would do the same.
Bob Harris - I'm 16 and have watched the show since it started, and for 8 years I haven't missed a beat. I just recently found out the sad news, and I support the voice actors. Simply put, the show cannot survive without Veronica, Eric, Rachael, Maddie, Amy, Ted, Lisa, Andrew, and everyone else. I love Pokemon, and will continue to watch it regardless, but if they leave, it will never be the same.
Kieran Hall - Pokemon is perhaps one of the best shows on air and replacing the VAs with "sound-alikes" will not only upset fans but also the voice actors themselves who must have grown attached to their character after working with them for many,many years.
Samantha (Sui) - I have really grown to admire and love these extremely-talented voice actors. Eric Stuart especially, although I really do love them all. Talent like this simply doesn't walk through the door everyday; it really takes someone special to really add three dimensions to a character. Especially in the way these actors do. Their love for the characters, the anime, and the fans is very apparent, especially seen in Eric and Veronica's letters. They sounded quite frankly hurt and angry about the recasting.
To replace them will truly be a travesty. For many, these actors are the only thing keeping them tolerating the heavily-edited dub! To believe that they can hire people just as good, for less money, is foolish. Hopefully the actors themselves, and us fans, can be able to stop this disaster from happening.
Adam James - I've Read you site and it's Very well Done, I gave the new Voice actors a Try and they sound nothing like the Old cast, The New cast is trying to sound to much like the old Cast that you can tell their Different. I Grew up Watching Pokemon when it 1st started airing on Kids WB and this change is just Wrong I think they Should keep the orignal cast. I love pokemon to much to Let Pokemon USA, ripoff the fans like this. If Pokemon Usa Doesn't bring back the Orginal VA Then They've lost me as a Fan and A Customer.
Katrina Davis - Pokemon is my favorite show on television. I have watched it almost every Saturday since October 7th 2000 (i have missed three or four)That is roughly 284 Saturdays, not to mention all the weekdays I watched it. I have every single US aired episode taped and I can not stand the thought of some strange voice greeting me instead of Eric, Veronica, Rachael, Maddie, Amy, Ted, Lisa, and Andrew. I have followed these actors around for years and bought many of the other things they are in, but Pokemon remains my favorite.
Dylan - I just watched the "Tenth Anniversary Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon" show and heard the new voice actors voices. First of all they sound too old to be believable as the characters they are intended to play. Second of all the old voices suit the characters better. Lastly I have been watching the show for a few years now and this new show didn't appeal to me because of the new voices and they should not be changed.
Beverly - My name is Beverly, and I've been a fan of Pokémon since I was around 6 years old, and I'm now 14. I absolutely adore it. And to replace every single voice actor with new ones is completely ridiculous! I don't understand why the new owners wouldn't want to use the original voice actors. Changing them will surely bring the ratings way down. Without the original voices, it completely ruins the show, and no one will like to see the show without our own Veronica Taylor, Eric Stuart, and Racheal Lillis. It was bad enough when they got rid of Megan Hollingshead from Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! (yes, I like that show, too), but to delete the others as well? There's got to be a way to bring them back. I'm on your guys' side in helping doing so!
Rabbit Thayo - I think everyone said it already. The new voice dub is a disgrace to the fans and the company of Pokemon. We all grew up living with the same voice with Veronica Taylor (We love her)But now its just NONSENCE! I think that Pokemon will be less watchable now that the dub voiced is changed. Now we all had to get used to the Misty gone and May here change back in Hoen, and we did. BUT! The voice dub is WAY out of what us fans want. One thing that i especially do not like about the voices are is May and Brock. Brock is too slow now at talking, and May sounds way to old for her age (10-11).
I am begging the company to PLEASE go back to the pokemon in which us fans love.
Luis - my name is luis and im here to tell pokemon usa to put the old voice actors back. ive been watching pokemon since i was 8. ive grown and love the original pokemon voice actors.These new voice actors are amatures. they were horrible. if you put these horrible voices on tv nobody will watch pokemon. ratings will drop and pokemon will be cancelled. please reconsider. the original voice actors are the ones we all love. money isn't everything. but watching this happen will completely make fans forget pokemon forever. i speak out to everyone saying that this will be the end of pokemon if someone dosen't step up before damage is done.im a big fan of pokemon so i beg of you to continue pokemon with the original voice actors. these new voice actors are really awful.Please don't ruin this show with these new voices.
Jerry Lewis - Well, like some of the people who have messaged you about this already, I'd prefer you not change the Pokemon VA cast. I was one of the fans who always got up at 7:00 on saturdays to watch the WB for the new pokemon episodes since they started airing. Being 16 now, I don't really watch the show now, but I'd like younger people to enjoy the same VAs I liked when I was their age. I was so used to their voices, I could tell when there was a sub to play them when they were sick or whatever reason (usually just James and Meowth). But this is the show's last 2 seasons, could you just keep the VAs the same? Just two more years (possibly more) of the show.
So, come on, Pokemon USA, just have them play their respective roles for this little time left the series has to offer.
niema_sd@yahoo.com - I have watched Pokémon since I was 4 and still watch it... They CAN'T TAKE AWAY OUR BELOVED VOICE ACTORS THAT FILLED US WITH EMOTION AND SPENT SO MUCH TIME FOR US FOR 10 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw the 10th anniversary, and the voice actors were HORRIBLE!!! WHY!??? :'(
Anneka - My name is Anneka, and I've been a Fan of the show fince summer 1999, during the dark days of my Childhood. the voices of the characters That I've grown up with gave me that sence of resureance.
Why change somthing that's already perfect? Can't the people doing this to the one show that matters to kids not only in the USA but in UK, Austrailia, and other english speaking countries. What they are doing is wrong, we don't want cheap imitations, we want the original cast to stay.