There have been countless iterations ofScooby-Doothroughout the years, bothcartoon and live-action, featuring crossovers with properties ranging from superheroes to rock stars. There’s very little Mystery Inc. hasn’t done or seen, yet its latest planned series is set to take Scooby and Shaggy on an adventure that will be entirely new to a franchise spanning over 50 years of releases. The upcomingGo-Go Mystery Machine, which was originally teased in June 2024,is taking the iconic duo to Japan, and will feature a heavily anime-inspired art-style.
Though the TV series will be all-new, it isn’t the first timeScooby-Doohas toyed around with the idea of introducing its instantly recognizable cast to the world of anime. A movie titledScooby-Doo and the Anime Invasionwas initially green lit in the early 2000s, before being canceled in its planning stages. However, fans will finally be able to experience the two worlds colliding, andthe end product could mean big things for the future of anime in Hollywood.
Scooby-Doo Is Set to Take on Anime in Its Upcoming TV Series
Scooby and Shaggy’s Next Adventure Utilizes an Anime-Inspired Art Style
The currently green litGo-Go Mystery Machinewon’t be the franchise’s first trip to Japan, but it will be the first to utilize the art form’s visual style. Following Scooby and Shaggy on a food adventure in Japan, the series will introduce new characters in place of the usual gang.Scooby’s uncle, Daisuke-Doo, along with his two friends, will accompany the duo after they unknowingly release countless monsters in the country.
Scooby-Doo’s Shaggy Becomes DC’s New Superman, Taking Dragon Ball Meme to the Next Level
Ultra Instinct Shaggy is a hilarious meme that merges Scooby-Doo and Dragon Ball in a hilarious way, and now Shaggy is getting a Superman upgrade.
Given the promotional poster and the short description of the series, it’s likelythe series will feature Japanese yokai as the antagonistic force. Yokai are mythical creatures native to Japanese folklore, and will offer the series an undeniably fresh take on the monsters typically at the center of mysteries. The massively popularDandadananime series recently used yokaias a major plot element, showcasing creatures unique to a western audience. The TV series is shaping up to be an exciting one, and has the chance to help usher in an era of western IPs taking on anime.
New Scooby-Doo Series Can Inspire Other Western IPs to Take on Anime
There are few bigger names in the world of animation thanScooby-Doo, and depending on the success of the series, other popular western IPsmay be more likely to take on anime-inspired adaptations of their own long-running properties. Many have in the past, perhaps the most popular being the'90’sBatmananimated showswhich used heavily anime-inspired visuals.Go-Go Mystery Machine, however, is set to incorporate Japanese culture into its story alongside the unique art style.
There are endless possibilities for exciting shows to offer their own unique spins on anime, and it seemsScooby-Doointends on leading the charge.Go-Go Mystery Machineis currently in development by Cartoon Network, though there have been no further details revealed regarding its release. Both fans of the long-running franchise and anime are sure to tune in to the series when it airs, and it may just begin a wave of shows green lighting their own anime adaptations.
Scooby-Doo
TheScooby-Doofranchise is an iconic animated media series that began in 1969 withScooby-Doo, Where Are You!created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears. The series follows the adventures of Mystery Inc.—a group of teenagers and their talking Great Dane, Scooby-Doo, as they solve mysteries involving supposedly supernatural creatures. Over the years, the franchise has expanded into numerous animated series, films (both animated and live-action), comic books, video games, and specials. Its blend of mystery, humor, and memorable characters has made it one of the longest-running and most beloved franchises in animation.
