Erika Ishii | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ishii in 2021 | |
| Born | (1987-03-07)March 7, 1987 (age 38) |
| Occupation(s) | Voice actor,host |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Relatives | Adena Ishii (sister) |
Erika Ishii is an Americanvoice actor andhost. They[a] are best known as the voice of video game characters such as Valkyrie inApex Legends,[2] and for their appearances inactual play web series includingL.A. by Night andDimension 20.
Ishii's work in acting started at a young age, with a guest appearance onFull House.[3][4]
In an interview withBungie, Ishii stated that playingThe Last of Us (2013) inspired them to enter voice acting in video games.[5] From the late 2010s, Ishii performed voice roles in numerous video games, and would contribute voice work toThe Last of Us Part II in 2020. During their early career, Ishii was advised to conceal their sexuality and political views to avoid losing work. Later they became more open about their orientation and identity. Ishii indicated that doing so was a positive step, as it allowed them 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 their role as the mixed-Japanese lesbian Valkyrie inApex 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 narrator for the audiobookWalk Among Us (2020),[8][9] "an audio-first trio of horror novellas set inVampire: The Masquerade'sWorld of Darkness".[10] 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.[11][12]
In 2025, they will be the lead character Atsu inGhost of Yotei, the sequel toGhost of Tsushima.[13][14]
Ishii is known for their roles inactual play role-playing web shows[15] such asL.A. by Night[16] andDimension 20.[17][18] In January 2023, it was announced that Ishii, withBrennan Lee Mulligan,Aabria Iyengar, andLou Wilson, would star in the creator-owned actual play podcastWorlds Beyond Number; the show premiered in March 2023.[19][20]
In December 2024, Ishii guest starred in the stage production ofDungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern which combines actual play,improv, andimmersive theater atStage 42 in New York City.[21]
Ishii was ahost and producer forGeek & Sundry.[22][10][15] Ishii has also hosted other events[23] such as the 2018Crunchyroll Anime Awards[24][25] and the 2021Acceleration Japan showcase.[26]
Ishii openly identifies asqueer,bisexual, orpansexual with no preference between labels, andgenderfluid.[5][3][27] They have been vocal in their opposition totransphobia, and have raised funds forLGBTQ supporting charities such asThe Trevor Project.[28][3]
 |
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative | Michelle Luio | Voice | [27][29] |
| 2021 | And Then | Mana | Short film | [27][30] |
| 2023 | Dragonfly | Miyoko | Voice, short film | |
| 2024 | Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths | Kimiyo Hoshi / Doctor Light,Helena Wayne / Huntress of Earth-Two | Voice; direct-to-video | [31] |
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Full House | "Pocahontas" | Season 6, episode 8: "The Play's the Thing" | |
| 2021–22 | Young Justice | Child,Mary Bromfield / Sergeant Marvel | Season 4 | [32] |
| 2022 | The Mighty Ones | Lindsay | 10 episodes | |
| 2022 | Oddballs | Jenna / Liv | ||
| 2023 | Strange Planet | New Friend / Hottie #2 / Customer | Season 1, episode 7: "Adolescent Limbshake" | |
| 2024 | Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur | Michiko Musashi / Turbo | Season 2, episode 14: "Family Matters" | [33] |
| 2024 | Zombies: The Re-Animated Series | Harely | Season 1, episode 6: "Youngins & Dragons" | |
| 2025 | Pokémon Horizons – The Search for Laqua | Rika |
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Extra Life D&D with Saving Throw Show | Penelope Lightfoot | A charity-fueled liveplay produced by Saving Throw Show. | [46] |
| 2016 | Natural 20 | Garmungus | RPG web series produced by Transplant Films | [47][48] |
| 2016–2019 | Game Engine | Host | Gaming web series byGeek & Sundry | [49] |
| 2017 | Sagas of Sundry: Madness | Selina Tsukiyama | Cast member; RPG web limited series by Geek & Sundry | [50] |
| Starcade Marathon | Host | Web special by Geek & Sundry | [51] | |
| Vast | Kraya Yikjaal Gorumon | RPG web series by Geek & Sundry; Episode: "The Great Experiment - Part 1 & 2" | [52] | |
| 2017–2018 | ForeverVerse | RPG web series by Geek & Sundry | [53][54][55] | |
| 2018 | A Magic Moment withJoseph Gordon-Levitt | Host | Web special by Geek & Sundry | [56][57][58] |
| The Neon Noir | Shirley Kent | Audio drama podcast created by Jack Delaney | [47][59] | |
| 2018–2021 | L.A. by Night | Annabelle | Cast member; RPG web series based onVampire: The Masquerade | [16] |
| 2019 | Dimension 20: Escape from the Bloodkeep | Lilith | Cast member; RPG web limited series based onDungeons & Dragons | [60] |
| Into Carnival Row | Moonshadow Foxglove | Cast member; RPG web limited series byNerdist based onCarnival Row | [61][62] | |
| Call of Cthulhu: Shadow of the Crystal Palace | Hanako Hayashi | RPG web special byCritical Role Productions based onCall of Cthulhu | [63][64] | |
| Pub Draw | Themself | Web series by Critical Role Productions; Episode: "Drawing Hana with Erika Ishii" | [65] | |
| 2020 | Cinderbrush: A Monsterhearts Story | Sasha Murasaki | RPG web special by Critical Role Productions based onMonsterhearts | [66] |
| The Calyx | Winter Solstice | RPG web series by Good Time Society; Episode: "Saturnine Chalice - Part 1 & 2" | [67] | |
| 2021 | Dimension 20:Misfits and Magic | Dream (a.k.a. Karen Keiko Tanaka) | Cast member; RPG web limited series based on theKids on Brooms role-playing system | [68] |
| Dimension 20: The Seven | Danielle Barkstock | Cast member; RPG web limited series based onDungeons & Dragons | [69] | |
| The Auction with Becca Scott | RPG web special by Good Time Society based onCall of Cthulhu | [70] | ||
| Battle for Beyond | Leila | Cast member; RPG web limited series byD&D Beyond based onDungeons & Dragons | [71][72] | |
| 2022 | Critical Role (campaign 3) | Yu Suffiad | RPG web series by Critical Role Productions; 6 episodes | [73] |
| Dimension 20: Coffin Run | May Wong | Cast member; RPG web limited series based onDungeons & Dragons | [69] | |
| The Adventure Zone: Dust | Louise “Lulu” Kagiyama | RPG web series by The McElroy Family, season 2 only. | [74] | |
| 2022—present | Game Changer | Themself | Comedy game show byDropout; 5 episodes | [75][76] |
| Dirty Laundry | Themself | Comedy game show by Dropout; 2 episodes | ||
| Make Some Noise | Themself | Episode: "The Wicked Switch of the West" | ||
| 2023 | Worlds Beyond Number | Ame | Cast member; creator-owned actual play podcast | [19][20] |
| Dimension 20: Burrow's End | Ava | Cast member; 10 episodes | [77][78] | |
| 2024 | The Adventure Zone: Abnimals | JJ August | Episode: "Bunny Heist!"; RPG web series by The McElroy Family. | [79] |
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern | Warrior | Stage 42 | [21][80] |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Archived July 13, 2024, at theWayback Machine