Sarah Natochenny

Sarah Natochenny
Natochenny in 2026
Born
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • voice actress
  • film editor
Years active2004–present
Websitesarahnatochenny.com

Sarah Natochenny (/ˈnætəˌtʃɛni, ˈnætoʊ-/) is an American voice actress. She is best known for voicing Ash Ketchum and various other characters in the English dub of Pokémon, Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou ( Alya ) in Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, as well as Alicia in the video game Bullet Witch. She has also edited documentaries for networks such as MS NOW and worked as an assistant editor on the films Life of Crime, Cold Comes the Night, Worst Friends, and Cruise.

Early life

Natochenny was born in the Forest Hills neighborhood of New York City's Queens borough[1][2]. She is of Russian-Jewish descent and is fluent in both English and Russian.[3][4] At the age of 12, she won a bronze medal in rhythmic gymnastics at the Junior Olympics.[5] She graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 2005, and studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute's Young Actors Program, as well as the Upright Citizens Brigade and Magnet Theatre in New York City.[1][5]

Career

At the age of 18, Natochenny replaced Veronica Taylor as the voice of Ash Ketchum on the English-language dub of Pokémon, starting with the show's ninth season in 2006, as a result of Pokémon USA bringing their English dubbing work in-house over to TAJ Productions and stepping away from 4Kids Entertainment, who have been dubbing the anime since it first premiered in the West in 1998. They would proceed to do the same thing with all of the other voice actors and their characters.[1][2][4] She likened getting the role to "being struck by Pikachu's Thunderbolt" and called it "the most exciting moment of [her] life".[2] She also voices various other characters on the show.[4][6] She faced some fan backlash for replacing Taylor as Ash, which affected her struggles with depression: "One [bout of depression] that wasn't circumstantial but was kicked off by the reaction I got when I first started. You're doing what you love, and you finally book your first huge role on a show that you loved as a child and people are like, 'You're terrible.' That's really painful to experience."[4] Despite this, she would continue voicing Ash and other various characters on the show, including Ash's own mother, Delia Ketchum, although there would be some criticism that it didn't improve for them and some division between fans on who the better voice actress for Ash was. Her voice for Ash would also evolve over time, having her voice be more distinct, slightly more mature, and eventually a more feminine/childlike sound to differentiate herself from Veronica Taylor's voice for Ash, leading to a more positive reception of her voice over time.[7] This would last until 2023, when Ash Ketchum officially left the series at the end of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series after more than a quarter-century long run.[8][9] Despite this, Natochenny still voices various characters and Pokémon in Pokémon Horizons: The Series, taking a step back into voicing some smaller roles in the show after more than 17 years of voicing Ash Ketchum in the anime, lasting 9 seasons longer than Veronica Taylor did in the anime under 4Kids, who finished her run after 8 years.[10][11]

Natochenny voiced Alicia in the 2006 video game Bullet Witch.[12] In 2009, she appeared in videos on the comedy website CollegeHumor.[13][14] In 2019, she won the Outstanding Animation or Gaming - Demo, Best Voiceover award from the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences.[15] In 2020, she co-starred in the live action pilot I Adore Dolores, which was one of No Budge's top picks of the year.[16] She also appeared in three videos for Vanity Fair, talking about the dubbing process and improvising as never-before-seen characters.[17][18][19]

Natochenny has appeared on multiple episodes of The George Lucas Talk Show. She is also a film editor, having worked as the primary editor on documentaries for networks such as MS NOW and an assistant editor on the films Life of Crime, Cold Comes the Night, Worst Friends, and Cruise.[20]

Personal life

Natochenny describes herself as Russian-American and discussed speaking fluent Russian in a 2020 interview with ComicsBeat.[3] She splits her time between Los Angeles and New York City.[5] She has been open about her past struggles with depression.[21]

Natochenny has a cat named after Pikachu.[22] Inspired by a Pokémon episode that dealt with death, Natochenny and fellow voice actress Lisa Ortiz co-founded Voices for Fosters, an organization dedicated to helping rescued animals find permanent homes and advising people on how to foster them.[5] Their website states, "Our goal is to bring the joy of pet companionship to people who didn't think they had the time, end euthanasia and improve care standards for all animals."[20]

Filmography

Anime

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2006–2023 Pokémon Ash Ketchum, Delia Ketchum, Various other characters and Pokémon Seasons 9–25 [1][2][18]
2015–2017 Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Aura Sentia [5]
2023 Tokyo Revengers Yuzuha Shiba Season 2 [23]
2023–present Pokémon Horizons: The Series Various characters and Pokémon Seasons 26–present [10][11]
2024 Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian Alisa "Alya" Mikhailovna Kujō [24]
2025 Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Simus Al Bakharov [25]
2025 Witch Watch Riro Takumi

Animation

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2014 Robin Hood: Mischief in Sherwood Marian [12]
Super 4 Twinkle English dub [26]
2015 Yoko Vic [27]
2016 World of Winx Venomiya, Silke Netflix series [5][28]
2018 Peter Pan: The Quest for the Never Book Tinker Bell English dub [5]
The Jungle Book Mowgli Series 3 [5]
Camp Camp Vera 2 episodes [29]
2019–2021 44 Cats Lampo
Igor
Baby Pie		 English [30]
2022–
2023		 Natural Habitat Shorts Hot Cocoa Mug
Owl		 Web animation [31]
2025 Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Mila Masaryk / Unicorn [32]

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2006 Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon Ash Ketchum DVD redub version
2007 Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea Ash Ketchum and Clamperl
2008 Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai Ash Ketchum, Ash's Staravia and Dawn's Buneary
Turn Left at Pennsylvania Avenue Sketch Performer
2009 Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior Ash Ketchum, Ogin, Ash's Staravia and Dawn's Buneary
Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life Ash Ketchum, Ash's Staraptor and Dawn's Buneary
2011 Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions Ash Ketchum
Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram
Pokémon the Movie: White—Victini and Zekrom
2012 Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
2013 Axel: The Biggest Little Hero Young Boca [5]
Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened Ash Ketchum
2014 Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
2015 Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
2016 Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
Sheep and Wolves Xavi [12]
2017 Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! Ash Ketchum, Delia Ketchum [33]
Pororo's Dinosaur Island Adventure Crong, Hamster, Tricolor (voice) [34]
2018 Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us Ash Ketchum, Toren's Chansey
2019 Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution Ash Ketchum
2021 Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle Ash Ketchum and Delia Ketchum
Ghostbusters: Afterlife Mini-Puft
Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 1 Klara [35]
Seal Team Shark
2023 Mavka: The Forest Song Kylina English dub [36]

Video games

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2006 Bullet Witch Alicia [12][37]
2009 PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Celebi, Starly, Staravia, Staraptor, Mismagius, Buneary, Lopunny, Roselia, Roserade [5]
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Starly, Staravia, Misdreavus, Buneary, Lopunny, Roselia
2013 Gangstar Vegas Roni Q [5]
Grand Theft Auto V The Local Population [5]
Thor: The Dark World Sif iOS [12]
2014 Asphalt Overdrive Getaway Girl [12]
2018 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Chansey Archive audio
White Day Han So-young [38]
2022 Pokémon Masters Ash Ketchum
2024 Fortnite Battle Royale Ringmaster Scarr [39]
2025 Date Everything! Lucinda [12]

Television

List of acting performances in television
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2024 Game Changer Herself Episode: "Pencils Down" [40]


Accolades

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2025 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards Best VA Performance (English)
as Alisa "Alya" Mikhailovna Kujō (Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian) 		Nominated [41]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "At BoroughCon, FoHi's voice on 'Pokemon'". qchron.com. June 2017. Archived from the original on March 24, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Haque, Fahima (July 15, 2016). "'I'm a sensitive type of Pokémon': meet the voice behind Ash Ketchum". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Kaplan, Avery (April 28, 2020). "Interview: Sarah Natochenny on recording Marvel's Black Widow: Bad Blood". The Beat. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021. Amanda actually cast me based on knowing me, she's like, "I think you're this person." And also, I'm Russian-American, so that helped. And I speak Russian, so.
  4. ^ a b c d "FEATURE: Ash Ketchum English VA Sarah Natochenny's Journey of Finding Herself in Pokémon". Crunchyroll. March 24, 2023. Archived from the original on March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "About". sarahnatochennyhome. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  6. ^ Hoffer, Christian (April 22, 2017). "Ash Ketchum Has a Special Earth Day Message Courtesy of His Original Voice Actor". Pokemon on WWG. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  7. ^ "Sarah Natochenny: The Heart Behind Ash Ketchum's Voice - Oreate AI Blog". January 7, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  8. ^ Megrath, Christopher. "Why is Ash Ketchum leaving Pokémon and who is replacing him? | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  9. ^ "Pokemon to go on without Ash Ketchum and Pikachu". BBC News. December 16, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  10. ^ a b "Sarah Natochenny (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  11. ^ a b "List of Characters Voiced by Sarah Natochenny". Pooh's Adventures. November 5, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "Sarah Natochenny (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "Ice Age in 4D". CollegeHumor. July 13, 2009. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2009.
  14. ^ "Bleep Bloop: Voice of Ash Ketchum". CollegeHumor. Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2009.
  15. ^ "2019 Winners". Sovas. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  16. ^ "I Adore Dolores". NoBudge.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "Sarah Natochenny (Ash from Pokémon) Improvises 10 New Cartoon Voices". Vanity Fair. February 28, 2020. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ a b "How Pokémon Is Dubbed From Japanese To English". Vanity Fair. March 16, 2020. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "Voice Actor (Ash from Pokémon) Breaks Down Voice Dubbing in 9 Steps". Vanity Fair. October 30, 2020. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ a b "About Us". voicesforfosters. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  21. ^ Natochenny, Sarah [@sarah_natochenny]; (September 20, 2019). "Sarah Anne on Instagram: "Portrait of a woman getting better with age. Hot tips: don't drink alcohol, do sleep eight hours, do wear sunscreen daily and hats during..."" – via Instagram.
  22. ^ Gularte, Alejandra (December 22, 2022). "Voice Actress Sarah Natochenny Understands the Importance of Ash Ketchum". Vulture. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  23. ^ "Ash Ketchum's English Actor Sarah Natochenny Joins Tokyo Revengers Cast". February 16, 2023. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  24. ^ Dempsey, Liam (July 23, 2024). "Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian English Dub Reveals Cast & Crew, Release Date". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  26. ^ Kids First (December 7, 2017). "Super 4: Welcome to Kingsland – So Many Adventures! Something for Everyone". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  27. ^ "Yoko". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  28. ^ Otakon 2016 guests
  29. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube. June 15, 2019. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
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  31. ^ "'Natural Habitat Shorts': Like 'Ranger Rick,' But for Adults". AWN.com. Animation World Network. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  32. ^ Bonomolo, Cameron (December 29, 2024). "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Yearbook: Every Marvel Character Confirmed to Appear". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  33. ^ Bennett, John J. "Not All Heroes Wear Frowns". North Coast Journal. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  34. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube. December 31, 2022. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  35. ^ Mateo, Alex (September 16, 2021). "Sentai Filmworks Reveals English Dub Cast for 1st Girls und Panzer das Finale Anime Film". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  36. ^ "Mavka: The Forest Song". Raising Childre Network. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  37. ^ "Bullet Witch localization". CrystalAcids.com. March 4, 2007. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  38. ^ "White Day: A Labyrinth Named School (Game) - Giant Bomb". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  39. ^ "'Fortnite' Heads to the Wasteland With 'Fallout' in New Wrecked Chapter". variety.com. May 23, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  40. ^ "Pencils Down". Dropout. March 25, 2024. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  41. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (May 25, 2025). "All the Winners of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
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