One Piece underwent a giant shake-up that would come subsequent for The Simpsons

“One Piece” is without doubt one of the longest-running anime sequence of all time, a truly legendary spectacle worthy of its reputation. Primarily based on the manga of the identical title by Eiichiro Oda, “One Piece” remains to be going robust after 25 years, turning into a cultural establishment. And in spite of everything this time, the present is healthier than ever. The ultimate story arc, “Egghead Island Arc”, even makes our list of the best anime of the year. There’s by no means been a greater time to be a fan of “One Piece,” between the anime, live-action sequence, and Netflix’s upcoming animated remake. With loads of supply materials nonetheless to undergo, it could be a number of years earlier than we see the top of “One Piece.”

And but, the anime has simply undergone a giant shakedown, which devastated followers. After almost 20 years, one of many Straw Hats disembarks from the ship and says goodbye to the present. Kazuki Yao, who joined the forged in 2000 and voiced characters like Jango and Mr. 2 Bon Clay earlier than voicing Franky, is formally retired, citing well being points. His roles are changed, with voice actor Subaru Kimura (Todo in “Jujutsu Kaisen”) taking on the position of the Straw Hat Pirates’ shipwright, Franky, from 2025.

Sadly, the voice of the Straw Hat Pirates isn’t getting any youthful. The youngest member of the forged is Akemi Okamura, who performs Nami and is 55 years previous. Luffy’s voice actress, Mayumi Tanaka, is 69 years previous herself, and as nice as her voice is, the anime exhibits no indicators of nearing the top of the story. Yao retiring and needing a substitute is only a signal of issues to come back. And throughout the Pacific, American followers ought to check out what’s taking place with “One Piece” for a probable glimpse into the way forward for one other cultural establishment: “The Simpsons.”

Franky would not exist with out Yao. Oda himself created the character with Yao’s voice in thoughts, and it was the vocal efficiency mixed with the distinctive design that made the character so particular and memorable. He’s like an older brother to the younger Straw Hats and an avenue for Oda to discover his love of big robots. Certainly, Franky has more and more develop into a machine quite than a person, constructing himself an enormous robotic nicknamed Iron Pirate “Common Franky”, to the delight of the opposite Straw Hats – significantly Chopper, Luffy and Usopp. That’s to say, Yao’s efficiency was extremely vital to the character, however now that the time has come, the character is solely being recast.

It will not be lengthy earlier than “The Simpsons” faces an identical conundrum. Likewise, the long-lasting cartoon remains to be going robust after 35 years, with the latest seasons are the best in decades. We’re getting episodes that experiment with the present’s components and problem the characters in thrilling new methods. Identical to the Straw Hat Pirates, the forged of “The Simpsons” isn’t getting any youthful. The youngest members of the primary forged, Hank Azaria and Yeardley Smith, are 60 years previous, whereas Harry Shearer is 81. Shearer just delivered his best performance ever as Ned Flandershowever can he proceed to voice Mr. Burns, or Smithers, or Skinner for for much longer? And Homer Simpson himself, Dan Castellaneta? The person is 67, whereas Julie Kavner, who performs Marge, is 74 (and her efficiency as Marge has undoubtedly suffered lately).

Not too long ago, Pamela Hayden made waves when she announced her retirement after 35 years of voicing Milhouse Van Houten – in addition to Rod, Jimbo Jones and plenty of others. It seems like Disney and Fox will at the least recast its characters rather than using AI (fortunately) to attempt to hold his voice in future episodes, however what occurs when Castallaneta is not in a position to voice Homer? What if Nancy Cartwright needed to cease voicing Bart? Will they rent lookalikes like “Rick and Morty” did for its two essential characters? Or will they observe the trail of Darth Vader, which Disney is formally expressing utilizing AI?

It stays to be seen (effectively, heard) how Kimura performs as the brand new voice of Franky, however hopefully he exhibits that it’s miles higher to go the route of recasting quite than artificially attempting to duplicate an iconic voice. Dubbing is at all times appearing, it can’t be reproduced with a machine or an algorithm. Let’s hope “The Simpsons” remembers this when the time comes.