The story begins with Scooby-Doo and Shaggy traveling through Japan on what is described as the ultimate foodie adventure.
However, their trip takes an unexpected turn when the pair accidentally unleash hundreds of mythical monsters that begin causing trouble throughout the country.
Instead of simply running away from the latest costumed villain, Shaggy and Scooby will find themselves dealing with creatures inspired by Japanese folklore.
To help them along the way, the duo will team up with several new characters, including Daisuke-Doo, Scooby's uncle, Yume, a magical girl, and Takumi, a gadget expert. Together, the group will embark on a monster-filled mystery involving plenty of chasing, comedy and chaos.
That setup gives Yokoso Scooby-Doo! an opportunity to combine the familiar formula of the classic franchise with Japanese mythology and anime storytelling.
Matthew Lillard Returns as Shaggy in Yokoso Scooby-Doo! Anime
Matthew Lillard is returning as one of his most iconic characters — but this time, Shaggy Rogers is entering the world of anime.
The longtime Scooby-Doo voice actor is officially returning as Shaggy in Yokoso Scooby-Doo!, a new animated series that marks the franchise's first original anime series.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation with animation production services from Japan's OLM, the studio best known for its long-running work on Pokémon, the series will send Scooby-Doo and Shaggy on a completely new adventure across Japan.
And naturally, wherever Scooby and Shaggy go, trouble — and food — aren't far behind.
Matthew Lillard Is Back as Shaggy
For longtime Scooby-Doo fans, one of the biggest attractions is undoubtedly Matthew Lillard's return as Shaggy Rogers.
Lillard first became associated with the character through the live-action Scooby-Doo films and later continued voicing Shaggy across multiple animated projects. His return gives the new anime a direct connection to the modern history of the franchise.
He won't be the only familiar voice returning.
Frank Welker is also back as Scooby-Doo. Welker has been part of the franchise since its original 1969 series, initially voicing Fred Jones before becoming the voice of Scooby-Doo for more than two decades.
Having both Welker and Lillard return makes the anime feel much more connected to the Scooby-Doo fans already know.
One notable change is that Fred, Daphne and Velma are not currently part of the announced cast. The official synopsis and cast announcement focus on Scooby and Shaggy, who are joined in Japan by new characters Daisuke-Doo, Yume and Takumi. Warner Bros. and Tubi have not confirmed whether Fred, Daphne or Velma will appear later, so for now, Yokoso Scooby-Doo! appears to be taking a more Scooby-and-Shaggy-focused approach.
OLM Is Bringing Scooby-Doo Into Anime
One of the most interesting aspects of the project is the studio behind its animation.
OLM is providing production services in Japan. The studio is perhaps best known internationally for its work on the Pokémon anime, but its credits also include series such as Berserk, ODDTAXI and The Apothecary Diaries.
The series is directed by Itsuro Kawasaki, with Francisco Paredes serving as co-producer, while Warner Bros. Animation is producing the project.
That combination makes Yokoso Scooby-Doo! an unusual collaboration: an iconic American cartoon franchise being reimagined through the production talent of a major Japanese animation studio.
Expect Yokai, Food and Classic Scooby-Doo Chaos
While the series is embracing anime, it doesn't appear to be abandoning the core ingredients that made Scooby-Doo so popular.
The basic formula remains intact: Scooby and Shaggy get themselves into trouble, strange creatures appear, and the characters have to figure out what's really happening.
The major difference is the setting.
Instead of another haunted mansion or abandoned amusement park, the new series will use Japan as the backdrop for its mysteries, incorporating mythical creatures and folklore into the adventures.
The combination of Japanese yokai, anime-inspired visuals, Scooby Snacks and Shaggy's legendary appetite could give the franchise a very different flavor while still keeping its comedic identity intact.
And considering that the entire adventure begins with a foodie trip, fans can probably expect plenty of food-related comedy along the way.
Where Will Yokoso Scooby-Doo! Be Released?
Yokoso Scooby-Doo! will stream exclusively on Tubi in North America, while Cartoon Network will handle international distribution.
A specific release date has not yet been announced.
The project was originally revealed in 2024 under the name Go-Go Mystery Machine, before returning in its current form as Yokoso Scooby-Doo!. The new project retains the basic idea of taking Scooby-Doo and Shaggy to Japan while expanding the concept around Japanese folklore and new characters.
A Very Different Scooby-Doo Adventure
Scooby-Doo has been reinvented countless times over the decades, but Yokoso Scooby-Doo! could be one of the franchise's most unusual transformations yet.
With Matthew Lillard back as Shaggy, Frank Welker returning as Scooby, OLM handling Japanese animation production, and a story built around Japanese folklore, the series has plenty of recognizable elements while taking the characters somewhere they have never been before.
For anime fans, it's an especially interesting crossover between a legendary American animated franchise and Japanese animation.
For Scooby-Doo fans, there's really only one question:
Are you ready to see Scooby and Shaggy take on Japan?
