The English voice actor behind the iconic companion in Capcom's action RPG is Eden Riegel, who brings the energetic and food-obsessed character to life. Japanese players hear voice actress Makoto Koichi in the role.
When Capcom launched the massive hit in 2018, players spent hundreds of hours traversing the New World with an endlessly cheerful partner by their side. While some fans found her constant chatter endearing, others memorably groaned at her recurring catchphrases. Beneath the dialogue lines sits a seasoned Hollywood voice artist with a massive resume spanning television, anime, and major interactive titles.
Who Is Eden Riegel?
Eden Riegel is an American actress born in Washington, D.C., with a decades-long career in entertainment. Before becoming a staple in recording booths for interactive media, she built a massive following on daytime television. She played Bianca Montgomery on the ABC soap opera All My Children, a groundbreaking television role that earned her a Daytime Emmy Award in 2005.
Transitioning heavily into voice work, Riegel carved out an impressive niche in video games and English dubs of Japanese animation. Her vocal range allows her to shift from dramatic, emotional heroines to bubbly, high-energy sidekicks like the research commission's cheerful archivist. Additional details on this are detailed by Associated Press.
Other Major Roles by the Handler's Voice Actor
If the companion's voice sounds familiar, it's because Riegel has lent her talents to dozens of major interactive franchises over the years. Her notable credits include:
- Coco Bandicoot in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
- Sherry Birkin in Resident Evil 6 and Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
- Hisui and other characters across major role-playing games, alongside roles in Final Fantasy VII Remake and Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- May in the fighting game sensation Guilty Gear: Strive
- Devola and Popola in NieR: Automata
This extensive background helps explain why the companion's performance feels polished, even when delivering repetitive camp kitchen dialogue during long hunting sessions.
The Japanese Voice: Makoto Koichi
For players experiencing the game with Japanese audio tracks, the character takes on a distinct personality courtesy of Makoto Koichi. Koichi is a prominent Japanese voice actress affiliated with the agency Ken Production. Known for a sharp, versatile vocal delivery, Koichi has starred in various anime series and localized titles, giving the research partner a slightly different tone that leans into traditional anime tropes of earnest determination.
Why the Character Provoked Strong Reactions
Voice performance shapes how players perceive companions, and this specific character sparked a massive divide within the community. Her signature line—"Hey pards!"—became both a beloved meme and a source of gentle frustration for hunters returning to camp after a grueling battle against an Elder Dragon.
The writing intentionally casts the partner as an enthusiastic, fearless foil to the silent, stoic hunter character created by the player. Riegel's delivery emphasizes perpetual optimism, ensuring that no matter how many times a monster carts the team back to safety, the partner remains ready to jump right back into the field. This contrast drives much of the narrative momentum during expedition cutscenes.
You can read more about the game's production history and character design philosophy directly on the Capcom Official Website. For detailed casting databases covering every minor NPC in the Research Commission, check Behind The Voice Actors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the same voice actress return for the Iceborne expansion?
Yes. Eden Riegel returned to voice the character in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, continuing her role through the master rank expeditions in the Hoarfrost Reach.
Can you change the voice language in the game settings?
The game supports multiple audio tracks. Players can switch between English, Japanese, and even the fictional Monster Hunter language directly from the audio options menu in the title screen or base camp settings.
Who voices the handler in later entries like Monster Hunter Wilds?
Later entries in the franchise feature entirely new casts and settings. For instance, Monster Hunter Wilds features a brand-new survey team and support cast, meaning the original New World partner remains unique to the 2018 title.
Is the character related to other voice actors in the industry?
Yes, Eden Riegel is the younger sister of Sam Riegel, another prolific voice actor and voice director well known for his work in animation and critical role productions.
