Erika Ishii

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Erika Ishii
BornMarch 7[1]
OccupationVoice actor, host
Years active1992–present
Websitewww.erikaishii.com Edit this at Wikidata

Erika Ishii (born March 7) is an American voice actor and host. She[a] is best known as the voice of video game characters such as Valkyrie in Apex Legends,[3] as well as her appearances in actual play web series including L.A. by Night and Dimension 20.

Career[]

Ishii's work as an actress started at a young age, with a guest appearance on Full House.[2]

In an interview with Bungie, Ishii stated that playing The Last of Us (2013) inspired her to enter voice acting in computer games.[4] From the late 2010s, Ishii performed voice roles in numerous video games, and would ultimately contribute voice work to The Last of Us Part II in 2020. During her early career, Ishii was advised to conceal her sexuality and political views to avoid losing work. Later she became more open about her orientation and identity. Ishii indicated that doing so was a positive step, as it allowed her to be part of a community, and to take on relevant roles. "The industry is beginning to recognize the value of authenticity and inclusion. It makes for better art and it’s what the majority of the world wants to see."[2] Ishii spoke positively about her role as the mixed-Japanese lesbian Valkyrie in Apex Legends, stating that "None of it was tokenism... She’s one of the most real characters I’ve ever had the honour of portraying."[5][6]

Ishii was a host and producer for Geek & Sundry.[7][8][9] Ishii is known for her roles in actual play RPG web shows[9] such as L.A. by Night[10] and Dimension 20.[11][12] Ishii was a narrator for the audiobook Walk Among Us,[13][14] "an audio-first trio of horror novellas set in Vampire: The Masquerade's World of Darkness".[8] Ishii has also hosted other events[15] such as the 2018 Crunchyroll Anime Awards[16][17] and the 2021 Acceleration Japan showcase.[18] In September 2021, Ishii was a featured artist on the acoustic version of the song Can You Feel My Love by the music group Juniper Vale.[19][20]

Personal life[]

A Los Angeles resident, Ishii is openly pansexual and genderfluid.[4][2][21] She has been vocal in her opposition to transphobia, and has raised funds for LGBT supporting charities such as The Trevor Project.[22][2]

Filmography[]

Voice-over filmography[]

List of voice-over performances
Year Title Role(s) Notes Source
2017 Crypt of the NecroDancer: Amplified [21]
Master X Master six characters [21]
Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator Amanda [21]
Battlestar Galactica: Deadlock [21]
Fire Emblem Heroes Loki [23]
2018 Sprint Vector Kai [21]
Monster Prom Valerie [21]
Shining Resonance Refrain Beatrice English version [21]
Maple Story 2 Additional voices English version [21]
Fallout 76 Cindy Holloway, Chelsea [21]
2019 Vacation Simulator Vacation Bot [21]
Shenmue III Li Feng, additional voices [21][24]
Shantae and the Seven Sirens Zapple (ending only) [21]
2020 Final Fantasy VII Remake Additional voices [21][24]
The Last of Us Part II Additional voices [21][24]
Rogue Company Ronin [21]
Marvel's Avengers Maddy Cho, AIM PA [24]
Destiny 2 Ana Bray, Kridis Added in 2020 update [4][2]
Fortnite Radio DJ, Ghost Pistol [21][2]
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Domina Venomblade [21][25]
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Kaori "Kitsune" Tanaka [26]
Cyberpunk 2077 Ruth Dzeng, additional voices [24]
2021 Cookie Run Kingdom Angel Cookie [27]
Apex Legends Valkyrie Added in 2021 update [21][28]
Deathloop Dr. Wenjie Evans [29]
Halo Infinite LUMU/Teardrop

Web series[]

List of web series performances
Year Title Role(s) Notes Source
2016 Natural 20 Garmungus RPG Web Series produced by Transplant Films [30][31]
2016–2019 Game Engine Host Gaming Web Series by Geek & Sundry [32]
2017 Sagas of Sundry: Madness Selina Tsukiyama RPG Web Limited Series by Geek & Sundry [33]
Starcade Marathon Host Web Special by Geek & Sundry [34]
2017–2018 ForeverVerse RPG Web Series by Geek & Sundry [35][36][37]
2018 A Magic Moment with Joseph Gordon-Levitt Host Web Special by Geek & Sundry [38][39][40]
The Neon Noir Shirley Kent Audio drama podcast created by Jack Delaney [30][41]
2018–2021 L.A. by Night Annabelle Cast member of the RPG Web Series based on Vampire: The Masquerade [10]
2019 Dimension 20: Escape from the Bloodkeep Lilith RPG Web Limited Series based on Dungeons & Dragons [42]
Into Carnival Row Moonshadow Foxglove RPG Web Limited Series by Nerdist based on Carnival Row [43][44]
Call of Cthulhu: Shadow of the Crystal Palace Hanako Hayashi RPG Web Special by Critical Role based on Call of Cthulhu [45][46]
Pub Draw Herself Web Series by Critical Role Productions; Episode: "Drawing Hana with Erika Ishii" [47]
2020 Cinderbrush: A Monsterhearts Story Sasha Murasaki RPG Web Special by Critical Role based on Monsterhearts [48]
2021 Dimension 20: Misfits & Magic Dream (a.k.a. Karen Keiko Tanaka) RPG Web Limited Series based on the Kids on Brooms role-playing system [49]
Dimension 20: The Seven Danielle Barkstock RPG Web Limited Series based on Dungeons & Dragons [50]
The Auction with Becca Scott RPG Web Special by Good Time Society based on Call of Cthulhu [51]
Battle for Beyond Leila RPG Web Limited Series by D&D Beyond based on Dungeons & Dragons [52][53]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Ishii uses "she" and "they" personal pronouns.[2] This article uses feminine pronouns for consistency.

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ Ishii, Erika [@theerikaishii] (March 7, 2021). "34. I'm telling stories I never dream I'd be part of with icons in the industry who first inspired me to pursue it. I love and am loved by my forever family (both related & chosen). My community is kind, charitable, & welcoming. I'm the happiest I've ever been. Thank you for this life. #birthday (And thank you @jennernugen for the balloonicorn I love heeeeem!)". Retrieved November 11, 2021 – via Instagram.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Queer Genderfluid Actor Erika Ishii's Gamer's Guide to LA". www.outtraveler.com. May 27, 2021.
  3. ^ Lo, Florence (June 24, 2021). "Character Conversations: Charlet Chung and Erika Ishii Are Levelling Up the Diversity in Games".
  4. ^ a b c "Erika Ishii Q&A > News". Bungie.net.
  5. ^ "Apex Legends designer wants Respawn to add trans character". Pink News. 30 June 2021.
  6. ^ "'Apex Legends' Doesn't Hide the Rough Edges on Its Queer Asian Hero". www.vice.com.
  7. ^ "Erika ISHII - Anime News Network". www.animenewsnetwork.com. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  8. ^ a b "Harper Voyager US and The World of Darkness to Publish Audio First Production Vampire: The Masquerade: Walk Among Us". HarperCollins (Press release). March 18, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Burns, Kam. "Live Dungeons & Dragons Shows Are Inviting More Players to the Table". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2021-11-12. Erika Ishii is an actor, host, and performer on shows like Critical Role, Dimension 20, and L.A. by Night. Ishii jokes that their characters dated women before they did. 'I think that play and storytelling is a fantastic way for you to try on identities in a safe environment with friends,' they say.
  10. ^ a b "Vampire: The Masquerade Play Show L.A By Night Announces S5 Premiere". CBR. 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  11. ^ "DIMENSION 20's New Season Will Include Matt Mercer as a Player". GeekTyrant.
  12. ^ "The Black creatives of Dimension 20's 'Misfits and Magic' are redefining inclusivity in tabletop gaming". The Daily Dot. July 2021.
  13. ^ "Bloodlines 2: Three Things We Learned in Walk Among Us". CBR. 2020-07-06. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  14. ^ Sheehan, Gavin (2020-03-18). ""Vampire: The Masquerade" Will Be Getting An Audio Book Series". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  15. ^ Armstrong, Vanessa (2021-08-18). "Simu Liu on Playing Shang-Chi:". SlashFilm.com. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  16. ^ "Meet Your Hosts for the Anime Awards: Anthony Carboni and Erika Ishii!". Crunchyroll. February 14, 2018. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  17. ^ "Made in Abyss, My Hero Academia Win Big at Crunchyroll's Anime Awards". Anime News Network. February 25, 2018. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  18. ^ Grater, Tom (2021-07-01). "Japanese IP Showcase From Amuse Group USA To Highlight Six Hot Properties At Virtual Event On July 8". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-11-12. Amuse Group USA, the American wing of one of Japan’s leading entertainment companies, is launching a new event that will put a selection of hot Japanese properties in front of U.S. content creators. [...] The event will be hosted by rising Japanese American talent Erika Ishii.
  19. ^ "Talking action, acting, and awareness with Erika Ishii". Happy Mag. 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  20. ^ Ishii, Erika [@erikaishii] (September 24, 2021). "MY MUSICAL DEBUT I'm featured with @VianIzak on @thejunipervale's beautiful new single! Their music has inspired my characters and also been there for me in the darkest times. This song in particular has a special place in my heart. Listen: [Link]" (Tweet). Retrieved November 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "erikaishii.com".
  22. ^ "Apex Legends actor condemns transphobia with full-throated roar on Harry Potter show> News". Pink News. 8 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Erika Ishii (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 23 October 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  24. ^ a b c d e "Apex Legends Legacy – Who is Erika Ishii Voice of Valkyrie?".
  25. ^ Pierce, R. J. (June 2, 2021). "E3 2021 Reveals a Celebrity Roster". Tech Times.
  26. ^ Akemi Look [@AkemiLook] (August 4, 2021). "Honored to be the new operator in @CallofDuty season 5!! Tag me in your Kitsune dubs! #callofduty #blackops #blackopscoldwar VO: #erikaishii t.co/ZwhQwqe3CF" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Ishii, Erika [@erikaishii] (October 12, 2021). "Angel Cookie is the first They/Them character I've gotten to voice!!!