Watch as Ash’s Japanese voice actor from the Pokémon anime narrates the theme

Rika Matsumoto, the voice of Ash Ketchum in the original Japanese version of the Pokémon series, gave fans a thoroughly electrifying performance of the opening theme for Ash’s final journey. She performed it as part of The First Take YouTube series, and it’s a must-have for Pokémon fans and anyone looking to brighten their day.

Ash and Pikachu are retiring as protagonists of the Pokémon series in March. The young trainer and Pikachu have been the protagonists of the series since the series began in 1997 and will appear in its final episode on March 24th in Japan. Ash’s final arc will feature notable reunions between Ash and other well-loved characters like Brock, Misty, and of course, Team Rocket. In addition to an original story, the final chapter of the arc will have a special theme sung by Matsumoto.

The song is called “Mezase Pokémon Master -with my friends-” and you can listen to it Full recording on YouTube

. Matsumoto exudes charisma and energy in the video. At the very beginning, she screams in Ash’s familiar voice, adding even more nostalgia to the performance. Backed by a full band and backing vocals, she gets right to the point. As she ends, we see her clasping her own hands and smiling — it’s honestly heartwarming.

For those unfamiliar, Matsumoto’s work isn’t limited to voiceovers. She is also an accomplished musician who helped found Anison band JAM Project and performed other songs for the Pokémon series in the past. She has sung the Japanese themes for several films including Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution, and various seasons of the show.