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Matthew Lillard and Frank Welker Return for Scooby-Doo’s First-Ever Original Anime Series

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Few animated duos have lasted as long as Scooby-Doo and Shaggy. The mystery-solving pair have appeared in countless series and films since ‘Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!’ premiered in 1969, and they’re still finding new ways to get spooked.

Much of the duo’s modern identity comes from 2 familiar voices. Frank Welker has been part of the franchise from the very beginning, originally voicing Fred Jones before taking over as Scooby-Doo more than 2 decades ago, while Matthew Lillard famously played Shaggy in the live-action ‘Scooby-Doo’ films before voicing the character in multiple animated series.

Now both actors are set to return for something completely new. Lillard and Welker will voice Shaggy and Scooby-Doo in ‘Yokoso Scooby-Doo!’, the franchise’s first original anime series.

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The series sends Scooby and Shaggy on a food-focused trip to Japan, where they accidentally unleash hundreds of mythical monsters across the country. Joining them are Scooby’s uncle, Daisuke-Doo, along with new friends Yume, a magical girl, and Takumi, a gadget whiz.

Together, the group sets off on a fresh mystery filled with monster chases. It’s a fun twist on the classic formula, blending the franchise’s familiar comedy with the style of Japanese anime.

Itsuro Kawasaki directs the series, with Francisco Paredes serving as co-producer. Warner Bros. Animation is producing, with production services from OLM in Japan. OLM is the Japanese animation studio behind the ‘Pokémon’ anime series, giving the project serious anime credentials. According to Bleeding Cool, the show was previously known as ‘Go-Go Mystery Machine’ during development.

‘Yokoso Scooby-Doo!’ is a Tubi Original and will stream exclusively on Fox’s free streaming service in North America. Internationally, the series will air on Cartoon Network. A release date hasn’t been announced yet, and the number of episodes is still unknown. Fans will have to wait a little longer to see how Scooby and Shaggy handle Japan’s legendary creatures.

The companies behind the series are excited to give the classic characters a new look. Tubi’s chief content officer, Adam Lewinson, said the show lets them reinvent the franchise in a way fans haven’t seen before, describing it as a mystery with a fun, chaotic energy that appeals across generations.

Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, was just as enthusiastic. “Welcome to Mystery Inc., Tubi!” he said in the official announcement, adding that the partnership with OLM will bring plenty of Scooby Snacks to life through anime artistry.

Lillard’s return is especially welcome for longtime fans. Many viewers still associate him with the role thanks to the live-action films, and his voice work has kept him connected to the character for years.

Pairing him with Welker brings a strong sense of continuity to a very different kind of Scooby-Doo story. With a talented anime studio on board, the series could introduce Mystery Inc. to a whole new generation of viewers.

Scooby-Doo has gone through plenty of reinventions over the decades, but an original anime marks a genuine first for the franchise. The Japanese setting and mythical monsters give the series a fresh backdrop for the gang’s usual hijinks. For now, fans can look forward to seeing their favorite cowardly crime-solvers explore Japan, sample its food and, of course, run from a few monsters along the way.

Are you excited for Yokoso Scooby-Doo!, the franchise's first original anime series?

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