On October 4, Aoni Production announced via its official website that Toru Furuya, who has long voiced Yamcha in the ‘Dragon Ball’ series, will be replaced as of the first episode of the new anime Dragon Ball DAIMA, set to air on October 11, 2024.

The website stated in a notice titled "Announcement of Voice Actor Change for Yamcha": "We would like to inform you that Toru Furuya, who has been responsible for voicing Yamcha in the ‘Dragon Ball’ series, will be replaced starting with the first episode of Dragon Ball DAIMA, which will air on October 11, 2024."

The official website of Dragon Ball DAIMA also reported: "Toru Furuya, who has long played the role of Yamcha in the ‘Dragon Ball’ series, will be replaced as the character’s voice actor." The statement continued, "As of the first episode of Dragon Ball DAIMA, scheduled for October 11, 2024, Ryota Suzuki will be taking over as the voice of Yamcha."

Ryota Suzuki was born on December 22 and hails from Aichi Prefecture. He is known for voicing characters such as Yu Ishigami in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War and Ryusui Nanami in Dr. STONE.

Earlier this year, Furuya admitted to having been involved in an extramarital affair with a non-celebrity woman. On May 22, the incident was reported in Shukan Bunshun (Bunshun Online) under the headline, “In the Voice of Detective Conan's Popular Character Toru Amuro... Legendary Voice Actor Toru Furuya (70) and His 4-and-a-Half-Year Affair, Abortion, and Assault Scandal Confessed by a Fan Woman 37 Years His Junior, and by Furuya Himself.”

In response to this report, Furuya took to X (formerly Twitter) on the same day to make a public apology: “I, Toru Furuya, have been interviewed by Shukan Bunshun. I would like to apologize and report on the serious mistake I have made. I was involved in an extramarital affair with a fan for four and a half years, up until September of last year.”

He further explained, "I was drawn to her earnest support and, foolishly, initiated contact, which led to a relationship. At one point during the relationship, we had an argument, and I regretfully raised my hand against her. It was an unforgivable act as both an adult and a human being."

As a result of this scandal, Furuya stepped down from his roles as Toru Amuro in Detective Conan and Sabo in ONE PIECE.

Source: Dragon Ball DAIMA Official

Source : ORICON NEWS