May in Pokémon is primarily voiced by KAORI in Japanese and by Veronica Taylor and later Michele Knotz in the English dub. As one of Ash Ketchum’s most beloved traveling companions, May became iconic for her cheerful personality, Pokémon Coordinator journey, and emotional growth throughout the Pokémon Advanced Generation series. All three actresses contributed significantly to May’s popularity among longtime Pokémon fans. (behindthevoiceactors.com)

Japanese Voice Actor: KAORI

Date of Birth

February 28, 1976. (bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net)

About KAORI

KAORI is a Japanese singer and voice actress known for energetic and emotionally warm performances in anime and games. Her portrayal of May in Pokémon Advanced Generation helped define the character’s adventurous spirit, emotional sincerity, and evolving confidence as a Pokémon Coordinator. KAORI’s lively performance made May one of the most beloved female protagonists in the Pokémon anime franchise. (bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net)

Hometown

Tokyo, Japan.

Career Highlights

Beyond Pokémon, KAORI has worked in anime music, games, and voice acting projects throughout her career. Her role as May remains her most internationally recognized anime performance due to the global popularity of the Pokémon franchise. Fans especially praised her emotional performances during May’s major Contest arcs and farewell episodes.

Full Current Filmography

The following list reflects publicly documented major credits from available sources and may not be exhaustive.

Television Anime

  • Pokémon Advanced Generation — May / Haruka
  • Pokémon Battle Frontier — May
  • Rockman.EXE — Additional Voices
  • F-Zero: GP Legend — Additional Voices

Video Games

  • Pokémon Masters EX — May
  • Pokémon Anime CDs and Drama Projects — May
  • Various Anime Music Projects — Vocal Performances

Critical Reception

KAORI’s portrayal of May received widespread praise for balancing energetic comedy with emotional warmth and maturity. Fans especially appreciated how naturally she portrayed May’s growth from an inexperienced trainer into a confident Coordinator. Many viewers consider her performance one of the defining voices of the Pokémon Advanced Generation era.

Our Sources

Social Media

English Voice Actor: Veronica Taylor / Michele Knotz

Date of Birth

  • Veronica Taylor — December 4, 1965.
  • Michele Knotz — October 27, 1976.

About Veronica

Veronica Taylor is an American voice actress best known as the original English voice of Ash Ketchum and several major Pokémon characters during the early era of the anime. She voiced May during portions of the Pokémon Advanced Generation era and helped establish the character’s cheerful, adventurous personality for English-speaking audiences. Taylor’s warm and expressive acting style contributed greatly to the emotional tone of the early Pokémon dub. (behindthevoiceactors.com)

About Michele

Michele Knotz later took over the role of May following the Pokémon dub cast transition. Her portrayal maintained May’s energetic and caring personality while bringing a slightly softer and more playful vocal tone to the character. Knotz continued voicing May in later Pokémon appearances, games, and special projects, helping preserve the character’s popularity among longtime fans. (behindthevoiceactors.com)

Hometown

  • Veronica Taylor — New York, United States.
  • Michele Knotz — New Jersey, United States.

Career Highlights

Veronica Taylor

Veronica Taylor became globally recognized through her work in Pokémon, where she voiced Ash Ketchum and multiple supporting characters. Beyond Pokémon, she is also known for roles in Yu-Gi-Oh! and Slayers. Her performances helped shape the childhoods of an entire generation of anime fans.

Michele Knotz

Michele Knotz became one of the key voices of the later English Pokémon dub era, voicing numerous characters across the franchise. Beyond Pokémon, she is known for work in Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, and gaming-related projects. Her portrayal of May helped maintain continuity for the character during later appearances.

Full Current Filmography

The following list reflects publicly documented major credits from available sources and may not be exhaustive.

Veronica Taylor — Television Anime

  • Pokémon — May / Ash Ketchum / Delia Ketchum
  • Yu-Gi-Oh! — Mako Tsunami
  • Slayers — Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune
  • One Piece (4Kids Dub) — Nico Robin
  • Shaman King — Tao Jun

Michele Knotz — Television Anime

  • Pokémon — May / Misty (later dub material)
  • Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s — Carly Carmine
  • One Piece — Additional Voices
  • Kirby: Right Back at Ya! — Additional Voices
  • Chaotic — Additional Voices

Video Games

  • Pokémon Masters EX — May
  • Pokémon Games and Promotional Media — Various Roles
  • Yu-Gi-Oh! Games — Various Characters
  • One Piece Games — Additional Voices

Critical Reception

Both Veronica Taylor and Michele Knotz received praise from Pokémon fans for portraying May’s cheerful and emotionally supportive personality. Taylor’s version became especially nostalgic for viewers who grew up with the original English dub era, while Knotz earned praise for preserving May’s warmth and charm in later franchise appearances. Many fans consider May one of the strongest companions in Pokémon history thanks in part to the performances of both actresses.

Our Sources

Social Media

Veronica Taylor

Michele Knotz

Published by Limarc Ambalina

Limarc Ambalina is the founder of Japan Bound, a website covering all things Japan — from travel and culture to anime, manga, and pop culture. He is also the Director of Content at ISNation and the former VP of Editorial at HackerNoon. Based in Japan, he has been writing about Japanese life and entertainment since 2019, growing the site to over 2.4 million views.

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