Save Our Voice Actors

Save our Voice Actors, commonly abbreviated SOVA, was a Pokémon community-driven campaign to bring back the original voice actors instead of recasting the Pokémon anime dub with new voice actors. It officially disbanded on February 18, 2009. However, recently SOVA has been regrouping on Facebook. Due to many characters being removed from the show, the group has shifted its focus on Veronica Taylor, in hopes that she may still regain her role as Ash Ketchum.

History

The campaign started as Save the Dub on March 21, 2006. News broke out when a member at a Pokémon forum received a letter from Veronica Taylor. Moments later, Pokémon Palace Network received an email and a guest book entry by Eric Stuart. These letters provided evidence that Pokémon USA was going to recast the voice actors, which spurred significant controversy in the Pokémon communities.

Mission

The mission is to let as many Pokémon fans know and support the previous voice actors by communicating to Pokémon USA to tell them that the recasting of voice actors is wrong. Methods to convey their message include writing letters and e-mail, signing online petitions, and sending them styrofoam Poké Balls with messages written on them.

Recent victories?

In 2008, when Pokémon USA switched dubbing studios from TAJ Productions to DuArt, several of the voice actors from the 4Kids dub began to return to the series. Initially, they were voice actors who had played minor roles or recurring characters, such as Evelyn Lanto, Sean Schemmel, Dan Green and Bella Hudson. However, beginning with Lost Leader Strategy, fans noticed that Rachael Lillis had returned to voice Maylene and later Sunflora and Shinx. Maddie Blaustein returned briefly before her death in 2008, voicing Chatot in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness.

For the first time, a 4Kids voice actor was able to return to one of their roles. In The Thief That Keeps On Thieving!, Ted Lewis redeemed his role as Giovanni. Mike Pollock also redeemed his role as Contesta in Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn!.

• Dan Green (returned in The Keystone Pops!)
• Bella Hudson (returned in Bibarel Gnaws Best!)
• Sean Schemmel (returned in Nosing Round the Mountain)
• Mike Pollock (returned in Luxray Vision)
• Marc Thompson (returned in Journey to the Unown!)
• Amy Palant (returned in Tanks For The Memories!)
• Evelyn Lanto (returned in Hot Springing a Leak!)
• John Campbell (returned in Hot Springing a Leak!)
• Rachael Lillis (returned in Lost Leader Strategy!)
• Maddie Blaustein (returned in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness)
• Wayne Grayson (returned in Crossing Paths)
• Ted Lewis (returned in A Full Course Tag Battle!)
• Jamie McGonnigal (returned in Staging a Heroes' Welcome!)
• Scottie Ray (returned in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part One))
• David Brimmer (returned in Cream of the Croagunk Crop!)
• Jason Griffith (returned in Cream of the Croagunk Crop!)
• Lisa Ortiz (returned in Hungry for the Good Life!)
• Pete Capella (returned in A Trainer and Child Reunion!)
• Christopher Kromer (returned in Giratina and the Sky Warrior)
• Marc Diraison (returned in Stealing Peace of Mind!)
• Darren Dunstan (returned in Frozen on Their Tracks!)
• Eva Christensen (returned in Try for the Family Stone!)
• Carol Jacobson (returned in A Meteoric Rise to Excellence!)

Staff

Current Staff

• Trainer Lisa - SOVA Leader
• Nekusagi - SOVA Leader (hiatus)
• Dark Master - SOVA Leader
• Shadow25 - SOVA Commissioner
• Tommy - Administrator/Leader
• Misty - Administrator
• Trainer Rachel - Moderator (inactive)
• Szlemm - Moderator
• Charzard03 - Moderator

Former Staff

• Nick-kun - Administrator
• offkilter- Moderator

~New Current Staff

• Lisa L.
• Ryan W.

External Links

• SOVA's Facebook group
• Topic at SPPf regarding the recast and discussion
• BMGf VA recasting discussion
• Save the Dub

Pokémon USA recasting controversy Save Our Voice Actors • The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon Maddie Blaustein • Eric Stuart • Veronica Taylor Pokémon USA/TPCi • 4Kids Entertainment • Support Our Cast And Crew

This article is a part of Project Fandom, a Bulbapedia Project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every aspect of the Pokémon Fandom.