That anime would quickly go on to become the highest-grossing media franchise in the worldPokemon.
It didnt even occur to me, Sussman tells me.
The price gouging was borderline insulting.
The Early Days Of Pokemon And Conceptualizing Meowth
It was great fun, Sussman reminisces.
I remember very well starting it, auditioning for it, and getting involved.
The people were great.
I was reading for a lot of different parts, Sussman says.
I think I read for virtually every male voice.
And we didn’t have video.
I’m going to try something a little crazy.
And if you hate it, just tell me, and I’ll change it to something else.
I have to take full credit for Meowths voice, he tells me.
And this character thinks he’s a tough guy, but he’s just this little cat.
He’s very obnoxious but in a nice way, charming way.
So I just came up with an idea in my head.
And then I thought, Okay, but he’s also a nerd and easily bullied.
I had some lines to work with, and I was trying it out.
After hashing out ideas in his head, it was Sussmans turn to step into the reading room.
Credit: London Card Show
Thankfully, they didnt hate it, and Meowths voice was born.
And then that became clear as we were doing it, especially as they incorporated it into the story.
I was a stage actor and a film actor, Sussman tells me.
via Pokemon
And then this came along out of circumstance.
It was a really great stage opportunity.
But it meant I had to go to Chicago for three months.
In todays age, this wouldnt have necessarily been the death knell, but things were different in 1998.
In those days, to do a remote recording session would have been a very big-budgeted thing.
It wasn’t like now with the internet, he says.
I then came back, and the producers said, You know, we love you.
So I thought it was a bit of an excuse not just to be bothered switching again.
That being said, that’s the nature of being an actor.
Sussmans Impact On The World
I say this with great sincerity, he tells me.
Im really grateful for the appreciation.
It’s literally the least I can do to say thank you back.
It was the first convention I had done last year.
Thats a gift, I made it for you.
She was just so sweet, and it was so delightful.
I always see it, and that always brings a smile to my face because it was the first.
