One Piece Faces a Major Transition That Could Hint at Future Changes for The Simpsons
One of the most enduring anime series, One Piece, has recently experienced a significant transformation, raising questions about the future of another cultural powerhouse—The Simpsons. The show, which has been a staple of entertainment for over 25 years and is based on Eiichiro Oda’s iconic manga, continues to thrive with a rich storyline and a dedicated fanbase. The latest arc, dubbed the Egghead Island Arc, has even earned accolades as one of the best anime narratives of the year. With an abundance of source material still available, fans can expect One Piece to sail on for several more years.
However, the series just went through a significant shift that left many fans reeling. After nearly two decades, an integral member of the Straw Hat crew is poised to exit the show. Kazuki Yao, the beloved voice behind characters like Jango and Mr. 2 Bon Clay, has officially announced his retirement due to health concerns. Beginning in 2025, Subaru Kimura, known for his role in Jujutsu Kaisen, will take over the character of Franky, the Straw Hat Pirates’ shipwright.
The aging voice cast poses challenges for the series, as the youngest member is Akemi Okamura, who voices Nami at 55 years old. Luffy’s voice actress, Mayumi Tanaka, is already 69, and while her performance remains remarkable, the anime shows no signs of reaching its conclusion. Yao’s departure is a telling indication of upcoming changes in the voice cast.
On the other side of the ocean, American audiences might want to pay attention to the developments surrounding One Piece, as they could foreshadow a similar situation for The Simpsons. This animated classic has enjoyed 35 years of success, with recent seasons producing some of the best content in decades. The writers are experimenting with new formats that push the boundaries of the show’s characters.
Yet, just like One Piece, the cast of The Simpsons is aging. Hank Azaria and Yeardley Smith, two of the youngest cast members, are both 60, while Harry Shearer is an astonishing 81. Even with Shearer’s stellar performance as Ned Flanders, how much longer can he continue voicing iconic characters like Mr. Burns or Smithers? Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, is now 67, and Julie Kavner, the voice of Marge, is 74, with her recent performances showing signs of strain.
The retirement of Pamela Hayden, who voiced Milhouse Van Houten and others for 35 years, adds another layer of complexity. Disney and Fox have opted to recast her roles rather than resorting to artificial intelligence to mimic her voice for future episodes. This raises pressing questions: What happens when Castellaneta is no longer able to voice Homer? Will Nancy Cartwright have to stop voicing Bart? Will they opt for sound-alikes, as seen with Rick and Morty, or will they follow Disney’s lead in employing AI for iconic voices?
As Kimura steps into the role of Franky, fans await to see how he will carry on the character’s legacy. There’s a strong case to be made for recasting rather than trying to replicate a voice with technology. The nuances and artistry of voice acting cannot be effectively duplicated by machines. The future of The Simpsons may depend on whether its creators remember this vital lesson as time marches on.
