Natalie (Natsumi)

• Japanese Name: Natsumi (ナツミ)
• English Name: Natalie
• British Name: Katie
• First Appearance: Ape Escape (1999, PlayStation)
• Age: 14 years old in Ape Escape
• Height: 155 cm
• Role: Professor's granddaughter and laboratory assistant
• Family: Granddaughter of the Professor; older sister of Kei and Yumi
• Japanese Voice: Tomoko Kawakami
• American Voices: Christiane Crawford, Rachael Lillis, Amber Hood

1. OVERVIEW & DESIGN

Natalie, known as Natsumi in the Japanese version and in several European releases, is one of the main supporting characters of the Ape Escape series. She is the Professor's granddaughter and works alongside him at the laboratory.

Natalie first appears in the original Ape Escape, where she helps the Professor operate the laboratory and provides Spike with information and equipment during his mission to capture the escaped monkeys.

She remains an important member of the series throughout later games, helping the protagonists with technology, research and information whenever the situation requires it.

2. APPEARANCE

Natalie's appearance changes between games, but her recognizable blue-and-white color scheme and energetic character design remain important parts of her identity.

• Hair: Natalie has short brown hair.
• Eyes: She has large blue eyes.
• Ape Escape: She wears a blue sweater vest over a white shirt with a grey skirt.
• Ape Escape 2: Her outfit changes to a sleeveless blue top over a yellow shirt, blue jeans and red sandals.
• Ape Escape 3: She keeps a similar outfit, with changes to the colors and details of her clothing.
• Later Games: Her outfit is redesigned several times while maintaining her recognizable appearance.

3. PERSONALITY

Natalie is intelligent, practical and responsible. She is one of the people who keeps the Professor's laboratory functioning while also helping the heroes with their missions.

She can also have a short temper. Natalie becomes frustrated when Spike or Jimmy causes problems, particularly when their actions create additional work for the laboratory.

Despite her temper, Natalie is caring toward her friends and family. She regularly helps the protagonists when they are in trouble and takes the dangers caused by Specter seriously.

4. BEGINNING OF THE SERIES

Natalie is working with the Professor when Specter and his army of Pipo Monkeys invade the Time Station in the first Ape Escape.

After Spike and Jake are sent through time along with the escaped monkeys, Natalie and the Professor remain at the laboratory and communicate with Spike during his mission.

Natalie helps explain the equipment Spike needs to use, including the Time Net and Stun Club, and provides information that helps him understand the behavior of the monkeys.

5. THE GOTCHA GADGETS

Natalie is closely connected to the technology developed by the Professor. Throughout the series, she demonstrates that she understands the laboratory's equipment and can contribute to the development and operation of gadgets.

• Laboratory Technology: Natalie helps operate and maintain the equipment used by the Professor and the protagonists.
• Monkey Helmet Research: She is involved with the development of technology connected to the Monkey Helmets.
• Gotcha Gadgets: She helps the protagonists understand and use the equipment needed during their missions.
• Computer Work: Natalie frequently handles computer and laboratory tasks while the heroes are away.

6. RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROFESSOR

Natalie is the Professor's granddaughter and one of his closest assistants. She spends much of her time helping him with his research and making sure the laboratory remains functional.

Because the Professor can be forgetful and distracted by his inventions, Natalie often acts as the more organized member of the laboratory team.

Their relationship combines family affection with a practical working partnership. Natalie may become annoyed with the Professor's behavior, but she continues to help him and the other members of the team.

7. RELATIONSHIP WITH SPIKE

Natalie works closely with Spike during the events of the original Ape Escape. While Spike travels through different periods of history, Natalie remains at the laboratory and provides information and assistance.

She can become impatient with Spike, especially when he takes too long to complete an objective, but their relationship is fundamentally that of trusted allies.

Natalie continues to support Spike in later appearances throughout the series.

8. RELATIONSHIP WITH JIMMY

Natalie also plays an important role in Jimmy's story in Ape Escape 2.

While the Professor is away, Jimmy and Natalie are involved with the laboratory's work. Jimmy accidentally sends Monkey Helmets to Monkey Park, allowing Specter to regain his intelligence and escape.

Natalie becomes involved in the effort to fix the problem and helps Jimmy during his mission to capture the escaped monkeys.

9. KEI AND YUMI

In Ape Escape 3, Natalie is revealed to be the older sister of the game's twin protagonists, Kei and Yumi.

She continues to act as a member of the support team, helping the younger protagonists while they deal with Specter's new threat.

Her role as their older sister adds another family connection to the group surrounding the Professor's laboratory.

10. SPECTER TV

In Ape Escape 3, Specter launches a new plan based around television broadcasts. Specter TV is used to influence people and place them under his control.

Natalie works with the resistance against Specter's plan, helping the protagonists understand what is happening and supporting them from the laboratory.

11. OTHER APPEARANCES

• Ape Escape: Supporting character who assists Spike and the Professor during the original adventure.
• Ape Escape 2: Supports Jimmy and helps operate the laboratory while the Professor is away.
• Ape Escape 3: Returns as a member of the support team and is revealed to be Kei and Yumi's older sister.
• Ape Escape: On the Loose: Returns as Natalie in the North American version and Natsumi in the European version.
• Ape Escape: Pumped & Primed: Appears as Natsumi in the game's cast.
• Ape Escape: Million Monkeys: Returns as part of the recurring Ape Escape cast.
• Saru! Get You! SaruSaru Big Mission: Appears in the Japanese PSP spin-off.
• PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale: Natalie and the Professor appear on the Time Station stage.
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater: Natalie is referenced in the "Snake vs. Ape" mini-game through her inventions.

12. NAME & VOICE HISTORY

Natalie's name changes depending on the language and regional version of the games.

• Natsumi: Her original Japanese name and the name used in several European releases.
• Natalie: Her name in the North American versions of the games.
• Katie: Her name in the British version of the original Ape Escape.
• Japanese Voice: Tomoko Kawakami.
• English Voices: Christiane Crawford in the original game, Rachael Lillis in Ape Escape 2, and Amber Hood in later titles including Ape Escape 3.

13. TRIVIA

• Natalie is known as Natsumi (ナツミ) in Japanese.
• She is the Professor's granddaughter.
• She is 14 years old in the original Ape Escape.
• Her height in the original game is listed as 155 cm.
• Natalie is one of the first major female characters introduced in the Ape Escape series.
• She is closely associated with the laboratory and the development and use of Ape Escape technology.
• Her name changes between Natalie, Natsumi and Katie depending on the game's regional release.