Scooby-Doo is making a leap into anime with a new series titled “Yokoso Scooby-Doo!” acquired by Tubi. Meaning “Welcome Scooby-Doo,” the series centers on the iconic characters Scooby-Doo and Shaggy, with long-time voice actors Frank Welker (“Scoob!”) and Matthew Lillard (“Scream”) lending their voices to the main roles.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, “Yokoso Scooby-Doo!” marks the first original anime series for the franchise. Tubi holds exclusive rights for North America, while Cartoon Network will broadcast it internationally.
“Scooby-Doo is one of the most cherished franchises in entertainment,” said Tubi’s chief content officer Adam Lewinson. “With ‘Yokoso Scooby-Doo!,’ we are reinventing it in a fresh way. By placing Scooby and Shaggy in a dynamic anime world set in Japan, we aim to connect with global fans and offer a fun, chaotic mystery that appeals across generations. This aligns perfectly with our brand of fan-first storytelling—familiar yet surprising, and distinctly Tubi.”
The storyline follows Scooby-Doo and Shaggy as they embark on a culinary journey in Japan, inadvertently releasing hundreds of mythical monsters. With the assistance of Scooby’s uncle, Daisuke-Doo, and new allies Yume, a magical girl, and Takumi, a gadget expert, they tackle a new mystery filled with monster chases and chaos.
Frank Welker, who has voiced Scooby-Doo for over two decades, has been involved with the franchise since its inception, originally voicing Fred Jones when “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” debuted in 1969. Matthew Lillard, known for his role as Shaggy in live-action films, has also voiced the character in various animated series.
While “Yokoso Scooby-Doo!” is the first anime in the series, it’s not the first time the characters have had adventures in Japan. The 2009 direct-to-video movie “Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword” was also set in the country.
“Welcome to Mystery Inc., Tubi!” expressed Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe. “We are thrilled to collaborate on this new chapter as we advance the Scooby-Doo franchise with its first original anime series. With the talented artists at OLM, we’ll reveal new mysteries, classic antics, and plenty of Scooby Snacks, all vividly brought to life through anime.”
This announcement follows another project from Warner Bros. Discovery animation studios set to air outside of Cartoon Network/HBO Max. Disney+ and Hulu revealed the U.S. premiere of “Adventure Time: Side Quests,” produced by Cartoon Network Studios, will be on June 29.
Directed by Itsuro Kawasaki and co-produced by Francisco Paredes, “Yokoso Scooby-Doo!” will have production services provided by OLM in Japan, with Warner Bros. Animation as the producer.
