You know that feeling when you're watching an animated movie and a voice just clicks? It happened to a lot of us back in 2018 when Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us hit theaters. This wasn't just another "Ash wins a tournament" story. It felt different. It was an ensemble piece. Honestly, the Pokémon the Power of Us cast had a massive weight on their shoulders because, for the first time in years, the human side characters actually mattered as much as the Pokémon did.
Most people recognize Sarah Natochenny. She’s been the voice of Ash Ketchum since 2006, taking over the mantle during the Battle Frontier era. But in this film—directed by Tetsuo Yajima—the focus shifted toward a group of strangers in Fula City. If you’ve ever wondered why Callahan sounded so familiar or why Margo’s voice hit such an emotional chord, it’s because the casting directors at TPCi (The Pokémon Company International) pulled from a very specific pool of seasoned voice talent.
The Voices That Defined Fula City
The movie centers on the Wind Festival. It’s a gorgeous setting, but the heart is the people. Let’s talk about the newcomers.
First up is Risa. She’s the novice trainer who basically only caught an Eevee because her brother was injured. She was voiced by Haven Paschall. If you’re a long-time fan of the XY series, you definitely know her voice—she was Serena! It’s a bit of a meta-nod for fans. Hearing "Serena" voice a completely different character who is struggling with her own confidence felt like a nice bridge between generations. Paschall brings this specific kind of frantic energy to Risa that makes her feel incredibly human.
Then there’s Callahan. He’s the guy who tells tall tales to impress his niece. He’s voiced by Billy Bob Thompson. Billy is a powerhouse in the industry, having worked on Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V and 44 Cats. He gave Callahan that "lovable loser" vibe that eventually turns into genuine heroism. It’s a tricky balance. If the voice is too grating, you hate the character. Thompson kept him grounded.
The Mystery of Margo and Zeraora
Margo is the mayor’s daughter and the one hiding a massive secret in the mountains. She was voiced by Erica Schroeder (often credited as Bella Hudson). Schroeder is a legend in the Pokémon world. She’s voiced everyone from Nurse Joy to Ash’s rival Sawyer. In The Power of Us, she plays Margo with a soft, protective tone that contrasts sharply with the chaos of the city.
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And we can’t forget the Mythical Pokémon itself. Zeraora. While Pokémon often use their Japanese "cries" globally, the vocalizations for Zeraora needed to sound feral yet misunderstood. The sound design team leaned into heavy, electric-distorted growls that mirrored the character’s trauma.
Why the Pokémon the Power of Us Cast Felt Different
Normally, a Pokémon movie is the "Ash and Pikachu Show." This one was different. It used a "Hyperlinked" storytelling style, similar to movies like Magnolia or Short Cuts, where various strangers' lives intersect. Because of this, the voice actors had to establish chemistry without much screen time together.
Take Toren, the socially anxious scientist. He’s voiced by Eddy Lee. Lee captures that stuttering, insecure brilliance perfectly. When he finally stands up to give his speech, you can hear the physical strain in his voice. It’s good acting. Period. It isn't just "cartoon voices."
Then you have Harriet, the elderly woman who hates Pokémon. She was voiced by Kathryn Cahill. Her performance is the emotional anchor for the older audience. She has this raspy, weathered delivery that makes her backstory with Snubbull feel devastatingly real.
The Returning Legends
Of course, the core trio remains.
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- Ash Ketchum: Sarah Natochenny. At this point, she is Ash. She’s been doing it for nearly two decades. In this film, she plays a slightly more mature, "mentor" version of Ash, which matches the Sun & Moon era’s art style (even though this movie is technically in a separate timeline from the main anime).
- Pikachu: Ikue Otani. The GOAT. No matter what language you watch the movie in, Otani’s Pikachu is universal.
- Team Rocket: James Carter Cathcart (James/Meowth) and Michele Knotz (Jessie). It’s worth noting that this was one of the later films Cathcart worked on before his retirement due to health issues. His performance as James is as flamboyant and dedicated as ever.
A Technical Shift in Production
The English dub of The Power of Us was produced by DuArt Media Services. They’ve handled the lion’s share of Pokémon content for years. What’s interesting about this specific cast is how they handled the "secondary" characters. Usually, background characters in Pokémon are voiced by the same five or six people doing funny accents.
In this movie, they brought in a wider range of textures. The script was adapted by Kyle Hebert (who also voices various characters in the franchise) and directed by Lisa Ortiz. Having a veteran voice actress like Ortiz (the original voice of Sabrina and Flannery) in the director's chair makes a huge difference. She knows how to pull emotional nuances out of the actors because she’s been in the booth herself.
Exploring the Japanese Original: Gekijōban Poketto Monsutā: Minna no Monogatari
If you’re a purist and prefer the sub, the Japanese Pokémon the Power of Us cast is a "who's who" of voice acting royalty (Seiyuu).
- Risa: Voiced by Rina Kawaei, a former member of the idol group AKB48. This was a "celebrity guest" casting that actually worked. She didn't sound like an amateur; she sounded like a teenager.
- Callahan: Voiced by Daisukegawa, a veteran actor.
- Margo: Voiced by Mana Ashida. If you know Japanese cinema, you know Ashida. she’s a former child prodigy actress who famously appeared in Pacific Rim.
- Zeraora: Voiced by Koichi Yamadera. Yamadera is arguably the most famous voice actor in Japan. He has voiced a character in almost every single Pokémon movie since the beginning.
The contrast between the English and Japanese casts is fascinating. The Japanese version leans into that cinematic, "prestige" feel by hiring big-name live-action actors, while the English version relies on the incredible technical skill of its staple voice acting community.
Why This Cast Still Matters for Fans
Since the release of The Power of Us, the Pokémon anime has undergone massive changes. We saw the end of Ash Ketchum's journey in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys. We saw the transition to Pokémon Horizons with Liko and Roy.
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This movie stands as a monument to a specific time. It was the 21st movie. It was a "reboot" timeline. The chemistry of the Pokémon the Power of Us cast proved that Pokémon could tell sophisticated, character-driven stories that weren't just about battles. They proved that the "Power of Us" wasn't just a cheesy title—it was about how a group of very different voices could come together to make something cohesive.
Honestly, if you go back and watch it now, pay attention to the incidental dialogue. Listen to the way Toren mutters to himself. Listen to the genuine grief in Harriet's voice. That’s where the quality lies. It’s not in the big legendary Pokémon explosions; it’s in the quiet moments provided by a cast that actually cared about the material.
How to Revisit the Fula City Journey
If you want to dive deeper into the work of these actors, there are a few things you can do right now to appreciate the craft behind the voices:
- Compare the Dub and Sub: Watch the "Wind Festival" speech in both English and Japanese. Notice how Haven Paschall and Rina Kawaei interpret Risa’s nervousness differently. One uses breathiness, the other uses pitch shifts.
- Follow the Voice Actors: Most of the English cast, including Sarah Natochenny and Erica Schroeder, are very active on the convention circuit and social media. They often share behind-the-scenes stories about the grueling 4-hour recording sessions for these films.
- Check the Credits: Look for the name Lisa Ortiz in other Pokémon projects. Once you recognize her directorial style, you’ll start seeing why certain seasons of the anime feel more "acted" than others.
- Watch for Directorial Cues: Notice how the music swells when the characters interact. The voice directors have to time the English dubbing (lip-syncing) to the original Japanese animation loops, which is a mathematical nightmare. The fact that it sounds natural is a testament to the ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) editors.
The legacy of this film isn't just a Pokédex entry for Zeraora. It's the proof that the human characters are the soul of the franchise.