The day began on a sad note for Pokémon lovers as the news of Rachael Lillis passing away made headlines.
Lillis, who gave her voice to life iconic characters namely Misty and Jessie in the Pokémon series, passed away on August 10 at the age of 46. She had been battling breast cancer.
She was cherished in the world of anime and video games for her contributions, particularly her portrayal of Misty, the water-type gym leader and Jessie from Team Rocket in the original Pokémon series.
Her work left a lasting impact on fans and the animation industry alike.
Veronica Taylor, who voiced Ash Ketchum in the series, shared the news on social media, highlighting Lillis’ extraordinary talent and expressing gratitude for the support Lillis received during her illness.
Lillis began her career as a voice over artist in the 1990s, and quickly rose to fame.
She voiced Misty, the water-type gym leader, in the original Pokémon anime series that debuted in 1998. Misty, alongside Ash, Pikachu, and Brock, became one of the most recognisable characters in the Pokémon universe.
Lillis also brought to life the character Jessie, the infamous Team Rocket member, who, with her partner James and their talking Meowth, became a beloved antagonist in the series.
She, thus, became central to the world of animation, bringing to life characters that have become iconic in pop culture.
Her work extended beyond Pokémon, including roles in video games such as the Super Smash Bros. series.
Her demise will unequivocally leave a void among her fans which includes the community that adored her work and the characters she so memorably brought to life.
Follow us
