Rachael Lillis, the original voice of Misty and Jessie in the English-language versions of the Pokémon anime and other characters in many games and anime, has died at the age of 46.
Rachael Lillis Misty Last Funeral 💔
Lillis' death was announced today in a post on Twitter/X by Veronica Taylor, the original voice of Ash Ketchum from the Pokémon anime. Lillis had been battling cancer for some time, and according to Taylor, the voice actor passed away on August 10th.
We all know Rachael Lillis from the many amazing roles she played. She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her great comedic timing and her remarkable acting skills. #RachaelLillis pic.twitter.com/XOjFqY0C1L
Lillis' loss is a huge blow to Pokémon fans, as she voiced several iconic characters in the series. Misty has been an indelible part of the series since the anime's very first episode, with Jessie joining Team Rocket in battle in episode two. In addition to those two characters, Lillis has also voiced several Pokémon in the series, including Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Goldeen, Lapras, and more, as well as several other characters throughout her run on the show. Her last credited role in the Pokémon anime was in 2015, when she returned as Jigglypuff nearly 20 years after the show first aired in 1997.
