From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American voice actor
Erika Ishii 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 ,
[2] 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 .
[3]
[4]
In an interview with
Bungie , Ishii stated that playing
The Last of Us (2013) inspired her to enter voice acting in video games.
[5] 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."
[3] 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."
[6]
[7]
Ishii was a
host and producer for
Geek & Sundry .
[8]
[9]
[10] Ishii is known for her roles in
actual play role-playing web shows
[10] such as
L.A. by Night
[11] and
Dimension 20 .
[12]
[13] In January 2023, it was announced that Ishii with
Brennan Lee Mulligan ,
Aabria Iyengar , and
Lou Wilson will star in the creator-owned actual play podcast
Worlds Beyond Number ; the show premiered in March 2023.
[14]
[15]
Ishii was a narrator for the audiobook Walk Among Us ,
[16]
[17] "an audio-first trio of horror novellas set in
Vampire: The Masquerade ' s
World of Darkness ".
[9] Ishii has also hosted other events
[18] such as the 2018
Crunchyroll Anime Awards
[19]
[20] and the 2021
Acceleration Japan showcase.
[21] 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.
[22]
[23]
Personal life
Ishii is openly
pansexual and
genderfluid .
[5]
[3]
[24] She has been vocal in her opposition to
transphobia , and she has raised funds for
LGBT supporting charities such as
The Trevor Project .
[25]
[3]
Filmography
Film
Television
Video games
Web series
Year
Title
Role(s)
Notes
Source
2016
Natural 20
Garmungus
RPG web series produced by Transplant Films
[40]
[41]
2016–2019
Game Engine
Host
Gaming web series by
Geek & Sundry
[42]
2017
Sagas of Sundry: Madness
Selina Tsukiyama
Cast member; RPG web limited series by Geek & Sundry
[43]
Starcade Marathon
Host
Web special by Geek & Sundry
[44]
Vast
Kraya Yikjaal Gorumon
RPG web series by Geek & Sundry; Episode: "The Great Experiment - Part 1 & 2"
[45]
2017–2018
ForeverVerse
RPG web series by Geek & Sundry
[46]
[47]
[48]
2018
A Magic Moment with
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Host
Web special by Geek & Sundry
[49]
[50]
[51]
The Neon Noir
Shirley Kent
Audio drama podcast created by Jack Delaney
[40]
[52]
2018–2021
L.A. by Night
Annabelle
Cast member; RPG web series based on
Vampire: The Masquerade
[11]
2019
Dimension 20 : Escape from the Bloodkeep
Lilith
Cast member; RPG web limited series based on
Dungeons & Dragons
[53]
Into Carnival Row
Moonshadow Foxglove
Cast member; RPG web limited series by
Nerdist based on
Carnival Row
[54]
[55]
Call of Cthulhu: Shadow of the Crystal Palace
Hanako Hayashi
RPG web special by
Critical Role Productions based on
Call of Cthulhu
[56]
[57]
Pub Draw
Herself
Web series by Critical Role Productions; Episode: "Drawing Hana with Erika Ishii"
[58]
2020
Cinderbrush: A Monsterhearts Story
Sasha Murasaki
RPG web special by Critical Role Productions based on
Monsterhearts
[59]
The Calyx
Winter Solstice
RPG web series by Good Time Society; Episode: "Saturnine Chalice - Part 1 & 2"
[60]
2021
Dimension 20:
Misfits and Magic
Dream (
a.k.a. Karen Keiko Tanaka)
Cast member; RPG web limited series based on the Kids on Brooms role-playing system
[61]
Dimension 20: The Seven
Danielle Barkstock
Cast member; RPG web limited series based on Dungeons & Dragons
[62]
The Auction with Becca Scott
RPG web special by Good Time Society based on Call of Cthulhu
[63]
Battle for Beyond
Leila
Cast member; RPG web limited series by
D&D Beyond based on Dungeons & Dragons
[64]
[65]
2022
Critical Role (
campaign 3 )
Yu Suffiad
RPG web series by Critical Role Productions; 6 episodes
[66]
Dimension 20: Coffin Run
May Wong
Cast member; RPG web limited series based on Dungeons & Dragons
[62]
The Adventure Zone : Dust
Louise “Lulu” Kagiyama
RPG web series by The McElroy Family, season 2 only.
[67]
2022—present
Game Changer
Herself
Comedy game show by
Dropout ; 4 episodes
[68]
[69]
Dirty Laundry
Herself
Comedy game show by Dropout; 2 episodes
2023
Worlds Beyond Number
Ame
Cast member; creator-owned actual play podcast
[14]
[15]
Dimension 20: Burrow's End
Ava
Cast member; 10 episodes
[70]
[71]
Notes
References
^ "
@erikaishii " on
Twitter
^ Lo, Florence (June 24, 2021).
"Character Conversations: Charlet Chung and Erika Ishii Are Levelling Up the Diversity in Games" .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
"Queer Genderfluid Actor Erika Ishii's Gamer's Guide to LA" . www.outtraveler.com . May 27, 2021.
^ Ishii, Erika [@erikaishii] (September 16, 2015).
"#WayBackWednesday to when I was a tiny sass machine on Full House... [Link]" (
Tweet ). Retrieved April 4, 2022 – via
Twitter . Carew, Jared [@BluelineEditing] (September 16, 2015).
" "I never liked that song." @SamuraiErika #FullHouse #YankeeDoodleDandy]" (
Tweet ). Retrieved April 4, 2022 – via
Twitter .
^
a
b
c
"Erika Ishii Q&A > News" . Bungie.net .
^
"Apex Legends designer wants Respawn to add trans character" . Pink News . June 30, 2021.
^
" 'Apex Legends' Doesn't Hide the Rough Edges on Its Queer Asian Hero" . www.vice.com . June 2, 2021.
^
"Erika ISHII - Anime News Network" . www.animenewsnetwork.com . Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
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.
^
a
b Burns, Kam.
"Live Dungeons & Dragons Shows Are Inviting More Players to the Table" . Wired .
ISSN
1059-1028 . Retrieved November 12, 2021 . 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.
^
a
b
"Vampire: The Masquerade Play Show L.A By Night Announces S5 Premiere" . CBR . August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021 .
^
"DIMENSION 20's New Season Will Include Matt Mercer as a Player" . GeekTyrant . April 25, 2019.
^
"The Black creatives of Dimension 20's 'Misfits and Magic' are redefining inclusivity in tabletop gaming" . The Daily Dot . July 2021.
^
a
b
"TTRPG Alums Form New Tabletop Podcast Venture Worlds Beyond Number" . Gizmodo . January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 .
^
a
b
"Worlds Beyond Number, New All-Star TTRPG Podcast, Announced" . ComicBook.com . January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 .
^
"Bloodlines 2: Three Things We Learned in Walk Among Us" . CBR . July 6, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2021 .
^ Sheehan, Gavin (March 18, 2020).
" "Vampire: The Masquerade" Will Be Getting An Audio Book Series" . Bleeding Cool News And Rumors . Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^ Armstrong, Vanessa (August 18, 2021).
"Simu Liu on Playing Shang-Chi" . SlashFilm.com . Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
"Meet Your Hosts for the Anime Awards: Anthony Carboni and Erika Ishii!" . Crunchyroll . February 14, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
"Made in Abyss, My Hero Academia Win Big at Crunchyroll's Anime Awards" . Anime News Network . February 25, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^ Grater, Tom (July 1, 2021).
"Japanese IP Showcase From Amuse Group USA To Highlight Six Hot Properties At Virtual Event On July 8" . Deadline . Retrieved November 12, 2021 . 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.
^
"Talking action, acting, and awareness with Erika Ishii" . Happy Mag . November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^ 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 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
"erikaishii.com" .
^
"Apex Legends actor condemns transphobia with full-throated roar on Harry Potter show" . Pink News . July 8, 2021.
^
"And Then" .
Outfest . Retrieved March 18, 2024 .
^ Vejvoda, Jim (December 4, 2023).
"Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One: Exclusive Clip and Voice Cast Reveal" .
IGN .
^ Erika Ishii [@erikaishii] (December 2, 2021).
"Wondercon 2013, I attended an unofficial meetup for Young Justice. Creator Greg Weisman was there! I was too shy to say hi. 2021 I've joined #YoungJusticePhantoms as a Big Bad villain, Child. AND as Mary Bromfield aka Sergeant. I've been waiting so long to say this: ⚡️SHAZAM⚡️!!! [Images]" (
Tweet ). Retrieved March 28, 2022 – via
Twitter .
^ Li, Annie J. (director); Halima Lucas (writer) (February 3, 2024). "Family Matters". Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur . Season 2. Episode 13. Disney Channel.
^
a
b
c
d
e
"Erika Ishii (visual voices guide)" . Behind The Voice Actors . Retrieved October 23, 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. {{
cite web }}
: CS1 maint: postscript (
link )
^
a
b
c
d
e
"Apex Legends Legacy – Who is Erika Ishii Voice of Valkyrie?" . April 21, 2021.
^
Wayforward . River City Girls .
Arc System Works . Scene: Ending credits, 4:32 in, VOICE ACTORS.
^ Ishii, Erika [@erikaishii] (September 28, 2019).
"I'm an ANIME VAMPIRE!!! But enough about my life. 😜 In #CodeVein I'm the 1st option for the female Protagonist voice type! If you've ever wanted your vampire OC to sound like me, here's your chance! 🦇♥️" (
Tweet ). Retrieved April 4, 2022 – via
Twitter .
^ Pierce, R. J. (June 2, 2021).
"E3 2021 Reveals a Celebrity Roster" . Tech Times .
^ 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 https://t.co/ZwhQwqe3CF" (
Tweet ).
Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021 – via
Twitter .
^
"Valkyrie's Sexuality in Apex Legends is Public Knowledge" . dbltap.com . June 4, 2021.
^
"Deathloop: The Nine Visionaries' Voice Actors (& What Else They've Been In)" . CBR . October 24, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021 . This genius scientist is behind some of the most intrinsic discoveries at AEON, and was voiced by the actor and performer Erika Ishii. Ishii is a voice actor known for playing Valkyrie in Apex Legends, as well as appearances in Destiny 2, Halo Infinite, and Fortnite. Fans of the Monster Prom games will recognize him as the voice of Valerie. They are also well known as a performer on numerous stories on D&D shows including Critical Role and Dimension 20.
^ Shepard, Kenneth (June 7, 2023).
"Meet Catbat, The Crash Bandicoot Series' First Non-Binary Character" .
^ Jackson, Zach (April 13, 2023).
"Aussie-Made Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Is Hitting The Stage In August" .
^
a
b
"The Neon Noir: An interview with the show creator, Jack Delaney ⋆ Podcast Brunch Club" . Podcast Brunch Club . December 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
"Natural 20 - YouTube" . YouTube . Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
"Game Engine | Geek and Sundry" . geekandsundry.com . Archived from
the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2017 .
^
"Meet the Cast of Our Next Horror RPG – Sagas Of Sundry: Madness" . Geek and Sundry . October 11, 2017. Archived from
the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2020 .
^ Sheehan, Gavin (August 16, 2017).
"Twitch To Run Classic Game Show 'Starcade' For Next Marathon" . Bleeding Cool News And Rumors . Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^ Erika Ishii [@erikaishii] (August 14, 2017).
"I might've made a playlist about my @VastRPG character Kraya. I really hope you enjoy it, #VASTronauts! 🎵😽🚀#Vast [Link][Image]" (
Tweet ). Retrieved March 28, 2022 – via
Twitter .
^
"ForeverVerse: Episode 28 – The Witch is Dead" . Geek and Sundry . September 14, 2017. Archived from
the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2021 .
^
"ForeverVerse: Episode 32 – Welcome to Puppetland" . Geek and Sundry . October 12, 2017. Archived from
the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2021 .
^
"ForeverVerse: Episode 38 – Big Mutherf***in' Crab Truckers" . Geek and Sundry . November 30, 2017. Archived from
the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2021 .
^
"Join Joseph Gordon-Levitt for a MAGIC: THE GATHERING geek out" . The Beat . November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
"Joseph Gordon-Levitt Geeking Out About Magic: The Gathering Is Nothing Short Of Delightful" . Gizmodo Australia . November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
"A Magic Moment with Joseph Gordon-Levitt" . Nerdist . November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
"TEAM" . The Neon Noir . Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
"CollegeHumor's Dimension 20 Prepares For New Season of 'Dungeons & Dragons' Madness" . ComicBook.com . May 2, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2021 .
^
"Dive INTO CARNIVAL ROW and Meet the Fae" . Nerdist . August 29, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^ Liptak, Andrew (September 13, 2019).
"Explore Carnival Row With This Official RPG While You Wait For Season 2" . Tor.com . Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^
"Call of Cthulhu: Shadow of the Crystal Palace" .
Critical Role . Retrieved November 11, 2021 .
^
"Bingeworthy: 'Critical Role' Productions Edition" . Nerds & Beyond . March 31, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2021 .
^
"Pub Draw: Drawing Hana with Erika Ishii" .
Critical Role . Retrieved November 11, 2021 .
^
"Cinderbrush: A Monsterhearts Story (A Critical Role One-Shot)" .
Critical Role . Retrieved November 11, 2021 .
^
The Calyx - "Saturnine Chalice" Part 1/2 - Cthulhu RPG - Erika Ishii, Aabria Iyengar, Paula Deming (
YouTube ). Good Time Society. September 16, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2022 .
^
"DIMENSION 20 Brings Aabria Iyengar in to GM MISFITS AND MAGIC Releasing This Month" . GeekTyrant . June 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021 .
^
a
b Good, Owen S. (July 28, 2021).
"Dimension 20 goes back to school with a new season this August" . Polygon . Retrieved July 28, 2021 .
^
"Now on YouTube: Becca Scott and an all-star cast plays 'The Auction', one of the scenarios from the Call of Cthulhu Classic Kickstarter" . Chaosium Inc . July 11, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^ Diaz, Ana (November 5, 2021).
"D&D Battle for Beyond is a star-studded new actual play series" . Polygon . Retrieved November 12, 2021 .
^ Galvis, Michael (November 1, 2021).
"Join the Battle for Beyond, a 6-Part Dungeons & Dragons Campaign Coming Nov. 12!" .
D&D Beyond (Press release). Retrieved November 12, 2021 . Erika Ishii (@erikaishii) is known for their voiceover work in games and animation. You might recognize them as Valkyrie in Apex Legends, Ana Bray and Kridis in Destiny 2, and as Lumu in the upcoming Halo Infinite. They have also performed with and produced for media outlets, including Critical Role, Geek & Sundry, Nerdist, and CollegeHumor. Erika is playing Leila in Battle for Beyond.
^
Critical Role [@CriticalRole] (May 20, 2022).
"A fae-touched friend?? Welcome Dusk played by the wonderfully talented @erikaishii! #CriticalRoleSpoilers [Image]" (
Tweet ). Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via
Twitter .
^ Stewart, CK (June 23, 2023).
"The Adventure Zone guide: how to listen to the McElroy podcast franchise in chronological order" . Popverse .
^
"Filmed Before A Live Studio Audience" .
Game Changer . January 10, 2022.
Dropout . Retrieved May 25, 2023 .
^
"Name A Number" .
Game Changer . December 26, 2022.
Dropout . Retrieved May 25, 2023 .
^ Carter, Chase (September 20, 2023).
"Dimension 20 evokes Watership Down in new D&D actual play season featuring a family of stoats" . Dicebreaker . Retrieved September 20, 2023 .
^ Marshall, Cass (September 20, 2023).
"Dimension 20 returns with an adventure starring a family of stoats" . Polygon . Retrieved September 20, 2023 .
External links
Web series
Television Films People