It’s no exaggeration to say that Melique Berger is a true Hollywood voiceover icon, whose unparalleled career has made her one of the most prolific and recognizable Black female voices in the industry. Boasting an impressive body of work spanning decades, Berger has helped bring some of the most beloved and iconic Black animated characters to life. In newest season of Pokémon Horizons, the latest anime of the global franchise, Berger has the honor of dubbing the character of Ryme, Leader of Montenevera Gym who specializes in Ghost-type Pokémon.
The Beat had the immense pleasure of chatting with Berger not only about in involvement in the phenomenon that is Pokémon, but her career as a whole. In addition, Berger also shared her thoughts on opinions on the current state of the voiceover industry.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Taimur Dar: Obviously Pokémon is a huge franchise spanning decades. It’s kind of amazing how something that came out when I was a kid is still going strong. I know you have two sons.
Melique Berger: Yes, Jackson and Julian.
Taimur Dar: Were they ever into Pokémon either the anime or video games?
Melique Berger: They watched the anime. It’s exciting to bring that to my grown adult male sons. [Laughs].
Taimur Dar: What kind of familiarity of Pokémon did you have before voicing Ryme?
Melique Berger: When it first came out, it was so colorful and gorgeous that I wanted to know everything I could about it. I found out about the different powers and Pokémon that people have. It was unbelievable that this came up this point in my career.
Taimur Dar: You’re no stranger to anime dubbing. I’m sure fans are well aware of one of your early roles as Coffee in Cowboy Bebop. Looking back to when you started compared to today, can you see how you’ve grown and changed as a performer?
Melique Berger: Oh sure. I’m always growing. I’ve been working since I was three. I’m fifty-two and thirty-six years behind the mic. There’s big long chunks of growth that happen when you’re performing.
Taimur Dar: I know you and actors of color have experienced the frustration of being told to sound “urban.” One of the best responses I heard from an actor who was told that was, “I’m not a building.”
Melique Berger: That’s good! That’s really good!
Taimur Dar: I’m hoping you still don’t get that direction, but would you say the industry has progressed on that front in terms of representation?
Melique Berger: I think it’s progressing more and more every minute. I know that as an actor of color, my [experience] was very different back then. People didn’t really know how to communicate. I like to break the ice and communicate with the people that I’m working with upfront. Like, “What do you really want and what do you hear?” And then I’m able to go on with my craft. I have a good feeling on the characters I have where they’re going to place on my body and their backstory. In that vein, I’m able to deliver what’s needed.
Taimur Dar: in doing my research, I discovered a Christmas special you were in called The Night B4 Christmas. I remember it airing on TV as a kid. Looking at the credits, I recognize a lot of actors from various anime dubs including Cowboy Bebop. In fact, Wendee Lee did the casting. Was the prior working relationship on Cowboy Bebop lead to that project?
Melique Berger: That’s interesting. I believe that was before Cowboy Bebop. It just started paving the road. I’ve been working with Wendee for decades upon decades. She is amazing and a huge champion for me. She has always been great. It was Night B4 Christmas and then Cowboy. Funny enough with The Night B4 Christmas that is exactly the situation you were just discussing. [For] the original character they said, “J-Lo-esque.” And it just turned into, “Is she Puerto-Rican? Is she Black?” At that time, it wasn’t truth casting, it was who could lift this load? And I lifted it hard. It came out very cute because it was just me in the end.
Taimur Dar: You’ve had quite a number of highlights over your career. I’d say very high on the list is not only being involved in DC animated projects with Justice League animated movies but being directed by the legendary Andrea Romano. I believe you also worked with her on The Boondocks. Going into those projects, was there any intimidation or nerves working with such a legend?
Melique Berger: My situation is very interesting because Andrea is a close family friend and was best friends with my godfather. I’ve known Andrea for most of my life. It was one of those situations where she just happened to be the director. I didn’t know much about the franchise and very happy to walk in and know everybody I was working with and to have my beautiful relationship with Andrea was the icing on the cake.
Taimur Dar: People who aren’t familiar with voiceover may not have an appreciation with how much physicality is involved. I know you have a dance background, so how has it aided your career and something you bring to your voiceover performance?
Melique Berger: Both. It has aided and is always with me. All of my characters are in my center. I posture each one of them. I block and posture each one of them. And that’s where the voices come from because I deal with acting first and whatever else second. With dancing I have the backbone and training to make it keep happening. My stamina is great. I can keep going and going because I know how to breathe.
Taimur Dar: It’s no exaggeration that the voiceover and entertainment industry as whole has faced new challenges in the last few years. One of the biggest topics of concern is the advent of AI. It’s easy for me to say a machine can never truly replicate a human performance. Is there anything about this topic you want to convey or articulate?
Melique Berger: Absolutely. It has to stop. We as actors cannot just be robbed in our sleep of our nature, our selves, and our voices. Recently, there was a website that had cloned my voice. It was a violation of my person. It was terrible to see that. We’re fighting very hard. the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) are also fighting every single day for us. I’m hopeful that we can come to an agreement and this can stop. If people want to use our voices, we need to know. We need to know and we need to approve it. That’s a big problem with people not being able to approve these things that are going on.
Taimur Dar: On the fan side of things, I see people use AI technology for voice actors believing it’s either a victimless crime or using the excuse that AI is their only option because they don’t have any budget to pay actors. What would you say to those people?
Melique Berger: You’re just wrong. Talk to a voiceover actor, that’s what I suggest. I suggest to anybody who’s doing a project that’s super low budget or no budget. Talk to a voice actor. We are the kindest, most open and welcoming people. Even if I personally couldn’t help, I could help to try to find somebody who would. I love my craft and industry. We go all out for voiceover. Voiceover isn’t the stepchild of working actors. Voiceover is the star and we’ve always been. People just didn’t know it.
Taimur Dar: What you just said about voiceover being seen as the stepchild of acting reminds of a comparison an actor made that anime voiceover is viewed as the equivalent of being on a soap opera. My mind immediately goes to the movie Tootsie, and I never realized the parallels, most especially with how dedicated the fans are. Would you say the comparison is accurate?
Melique Berger: I would have never thought of it until you brought it up. Absolutely, why not! Our fanbases are some of the most tried and true fans. Your anime fan has your back and wants to know what new projects you’re doing and they’re there to support you if it’s something that they like. I’ve found the kindest people voicing Ryme. Ryme is getting beautiful love from the community and I couldn’t be more proud.
Taimur Dar: Getting back to voicing Ryme, dubbing itself is its own challenge matching the lip flaps. For Ryme, you have the extra challenge of having to rap as well. Was that something you found difficult or easier than you anticipated?
Melique Berger: It was the first time that I did it and it was not easy at all. No way. But I had a brilliant writer who writes all the raps. And my director Lisa Ortiz is also brilliant. They were cool with me. The rapping part was fantastic but matching it to Ryme is like Double Dutch. You have to wait before you jump in and then you’re jump in and all good. After I was all good, I was all good.
Taimur Dar: You just mentioned voice director Lisa Ortiz. As an actor she’s been involved with the franchise from the very beginning way back when it was dubbed by 4Kids in New York. So it’s pretty phenomenal that she was able to transition into the directing role a few years back. Had you worked with her before?
Melique Berger: This was the first time I had worked with Lisa. I was so honored to walk into the studio and record and then see another woman of color. Lisa has been with it since pretty much the whole run. She was the best person to study under and take direction from. She’s just the best.
Taimur Dar: I heard James Gunn say he never wants to take on a project unless he believes in it with every fiber of his being. It’s definitely something I try to keep in mind. For you, what kind of joy did you find in voicing Ryme that gave it meaning?
Melique Berger: Ryme to me is like an auntie or godmother. She cares for Roy. It was very easy to tap into both of my sons in voicing her. I’m a proud mom. And we always want the best for y’all. I was able to give my heart. When I’m performing that way it’s the best. I think Ryme is wonderful and I love having her in my life.
Taimur Dar: Finally, any projects you want to plug for our readers?
Melique Berger: There are super fun stuff happening with me going to the cons. Starting the circuit, going to meet people and fans finally. I am so excited for that. I cannot wait.
Taimur Dar: I can’t wait to see Ryme in the new batch of episodes for Pokémon: Horizons.
Melique Berger: This was one of my most proud roles in all of my career.
Pokémon Horizons: Season 2 – The Search for Laqua Part 2 will be available on Netflix in the US on April 25, 2025.
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