"Zoinks! “
Scooby-Doo” is going anime.
Tubi has acquired the new animated series “
Yokoso Scooby-Doo!” — which means “Welcome Scooby-Doo” — which focuses on Scooby-Doo and Shaggy, and stars “Scooby-Doo!” voice regulars Frank Welker (“Scoob!”) and Matthew Lillard (“Scream”) as the two main roles.
“Yokoso Scooby-Doo!” is the first original anime “Scooby-Doo!” series, and is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Tubi has exclusive rights to the series in North America, while Cartoon Network will run it internationally.
“Scooby-Doo is one of the most beloved franchises in entertainment, and ‘Yokoso Scooby-Doo!’ lets us reinvent it in a way fans haven’t seen before,” said Tubi chief content officer Adam Lewinson in a statement. “By bringing Scooby and Shaggy into a bold anime world set in Japan, we’re connecting with global fandoms and delivering the kind of fun, chaotic mystery that travels across generations. As we grow our animation slate, this is exactly our brand of fan-first storytelling—familiar, surprising, and unmistakably Tubi.”
Here’s the logline: “While visiting Japan on the ultimate foodie adventure, Scooby-Doo and Shaggy unwittingly unleash hundreds of mythical monsters that are causing trouble across the country. With the help of Scooby’s uncle, Daisuke-Doo, along with new friends, a magical girl Yume and gadget whiz Takumi, the group embarks on an all-new mystery filled with monster chasing and fun chaos.”
Welker has been the voice of Scooby-Doo for more than two decades, and has been part of the “Scooby-Doo” franchise from the beginning, as the voice of Fred Jones when “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” premiered in 1969. Lillard played Shaggy in the live-action Scooby-Doo films and has since voiced the character in multiple animated series.
This is the first anime “Scooby-Doo!” but not the first adventure in Japan for the characters. The 2009 direct-to-video film “Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword” took place in the country.
“Welcome to Mystery Inc., Tubi!” said Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe president Sam Register said in a statement. “We’re excited to partner on this next chapter as we push the Scooby-Doo franchise forward with its first-ever original anime series. Alongside the amazing artists at OLM, we’ll unmask a new batch of mysteries, signature hijinks, and – of course – plenty of Scooby Snacks, all brought to life through the dynamic artistry of anime.”
This reps the second announcement of the day about a project from one of the Warner Bros. Discovery animation studios that is heading to the competition instead of Cartoon Network/HBO Max. Disney+ and Hulu announced the June 29 U.S. premiere date of the new animated series “Adventure Time: Side Quests,” produced by Cartoon Network Studios.
“Yokoso Scooby-Doo!” will be directed by Itsuro Kawasaki, while Francisco Paredes is co-producer. OLM in Japan will provide production services, while Warner Bros. Animation is producer.
