Pokemon Voice Actor Controversy

On March 21, 2006, it was revealed that Pokémon USA, Inc. would be replacing the long-standing voice actors of the Pokémon dub. Later, Pokémon USA used the 10th anniversary special The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon TV special as a testing ground for their replacement cast. This caused a stir in the Pokémon community, and the Pokémon voice actor controversy began.
The Beginning
When 4Kids Entertainment, originally responsible for the dubbing of the Pokémon cartoon, relinquished the right to dub further episodes of the show in early 2006, that right was then handed over to TAJ Productions, a company which had also worked on the show in prior years. Later, it was announced that the original cast from the first eight years of the show would not be rehired for their roles. Upon the discovery, a movement known as Save the Dub (later renamed SOVA, or Save Our Voice Actors) was created to attempt to prevent the recasting. While many were outraged at this news, others decided to wait and see The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon TV special before forming an opinion. The special aired on April 21, 2006. When it did, a large majority of the reception disapproved of the new voice actors, and people wrote to Pokémon USA about the issue.
The outcry was enough to get Pokémon USA to switch out one of the voice actors, Kayzie Rogers, who had played Ash Ketchum. She was replaced by Ash's current voice actor, Sarah Natochenny. The redub can be found on the Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew DVD.
Reason for the Recasting
When the recasting was announced, the question of why was inevitably asked. A statement by Lawrence Neves, Editorial Director at Pokémon USA, Inc., on Pokémon.com was released. Pokémon USA claimed that they were told that the original cast had "conflicting contractual comitments" and would not be able to work on the show.
The Original Cast
Dissatisfied with the explanation that Pokémon.com had provided, the fans immediately turned to the original cast for more answers. Members from various web forums e-mailed the original cast and they quickly got responses about the issue.
Veronica Taylor
"Hey Scott- Unfortunately, this is very real. We have been informed that Pokémon USA has already made plans to do the Anniversary special with substitute voices. Apparently, they haven't made a firm decision on the next season yet. None of us have been formally asked to do the show, we've simply been told we'll be replaced. Pokémon USA has made no effort to negotiate with 4Kids, simply feeling that getting a cheaper rate to dub the show is enough. They care nothing for the quality. They will be using new script writers, voices, music, etc. We (the voice actors and those at 4Kids who work so hard on the show) are all extremely upset as we care very much for Pokémon and what we've worked to create. However, there is nothing that we can do. It seems that the only recourse is for fans to write to Pokémon USA and tell them how wrong their decision is and how it will adversely affect the show.
Thanks for your concern. Please spread the word and let's all try to work together to right this wrong before it's too late.
Veronica"
Maddie Blaustein
"Thanks for your very kind letter. There's very little I'm permitted to say on the subject other than what you've already stated in your e-mail. On a personal note, I'm very saddened by this development as I'm quite close to Ol' Meowth. The only thing I can tell you is I'm not leaving the VA business by any stretch of the imagination, and I hope to (like all cats) land on my feet
Thanks again and I'll be sure to pass your note onto my fellow VAs
ciao!"
While Pokémon USA stated that it was contractual commitments preventing the original voice actors from working on the show, members of the original cast have stated otherwise. Maddie Blaustein, in particular, made note of this when she frequented the Bulbagarden forums before her death. Several times, she also stated that she and the other voice actors weren't even approached by Pokémon USA about the issue, and were only informed about being replaced after their roles had been given to other voice actors.
Movement for Restoration
Save Our Voice Actors
Save Our Voice Actors, or more commonly known as SOVA, was the first major movement dedicated to restoring the original cast to their roles on Pokémon. It was founded by a member named Pie on the Bulbagarden forums, and branches were also set up on other Pokémon forums such as Serebii. The organization came up with many clever projects to work toward their goal. But despite this, and the hard work and dedication of some of its members, they failed to reach their objective, mostly due to internal issues. SOVA disbanded on February 18, 2009.
Save Ash Ketchum
Save Ash Ketchum is a new campaign that has emerged, with the intent of convincing Pokémon USA, Inc. to recast Veronica Taylor as Ash Ketchum. It is a growing organization founded by someone named Administrator on their forums. A petition for the campaign has been created, and is currently thriving. Their sister site is the Save Sonic campaign.

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See Also

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