Matthew Lillard is officially returning to his beloved role as Shaggy in a brand-new anime series, Yokoso Scooby-Doo!, which has been greenlit by Tubi. The free streaming platform, known for its growing library of classic Cartoon Network shows, is diving into original content with this fresh take on the iconic franchise.
In Yokoso Scooby-Doo!, Shaggy and his Great Dane sidekick Scooby-Doo embark on what they think will be the ultimate foodie adventure in Japan. But their quest to sample the country's best dishes accidentally unleashes a wave of mythical monsters that wreak havoc across the land. To make matters worse, the rest of Mystery Inc.—Fred, Daphne, and Velma—are nowhere to be found. Instead, Shaggy and Scooby team up with Scooby's uncle, Daisuke-Doo, and two new friends: a magical girl named Yume and a tech whiz named Takumi. Together, they'll solve mysteries and chase down ghouls in a way fans have never seen before.
Warner Bros. Animation, which first announced the project under the working title Go-Go Mystery Machine in 2024, remains on board as the producer. The series is being directed by veteran anime director Itsuro Kawasaki, with Francisco Paredes serving as co-producer. This marks the first time Scooby-Doo has been reimagined as an anime, blending the classic mystery-solving formula with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic and setting.
Alongside Lillard, Frank Welker will also reprise his iconic role as the voice of Scooby-Doo. Welker has been with the franchise since its inception in 1969, originally voicing Fred before taking over as Scooby in 2002. Lillard, who first played Shaggy in the 2002 live-action film and later took over the animated role from the late Casey Kasem in 2010, remains one of the most recognizable voices in the franchise. His return comes amid a busy schedule that includes appearances in Cross, Daredevil: Born Again, and the upcoming Scream 7.
The announcement of Yokoso Scooby-Doo! arrives as the franchise prepares for a live-action reboot on Netflix. That series, which began production last month, stars Maxwell Jenkins, McKenna Grace, Abby Ryder Fortson, and Tanner Hagen as the younger versions of Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy. It's described as a spooky origin story that shows how the friends first came together to solve a personal case involving a Great Dane puppy who may have witnessed a supernatural murder.
Tubi's Chief Content Officer, Adam Lewinson, expressed excitement about the new series, calling it a perfect fit for the platform. "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," he said. "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."
For fans who want to catch up on classic Scooby-Doo adventures, Tubi already offers a wealth of titles from the franchise, including Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, New Scooby-Doo Mysteries, and Be Cool Scooby-Doo!. The platform has become a go-to destination for animated classics, recently adding 100 titles as part of its "Cartoon Era" lineup, which includes shows like Justice League, Teen Titans, Animaniacs, and Dexter's Laboratory.
Yokoso Scooby-Doo! will stream exclusively on Tubi in North America and will be available internationally on Cartoon Network. While no premiere date has been announced yet, the series is already generating buzz as a bold new chapter for the franchise. For more on the latest in streaming and animation, check out our coverage of the new 'Lanterns' trailer and the streaming redemption of 'Warcraft'.
