In a significant casting change for the long-running anime series, Detective Conan, Takeshi Kusao has taken over the role of Tōru Amuro, replacing Tōru Furuya. The change comes after Furuya stepped down from the role in June 2024 following a public admission of an extramarital affair and subsequent controversy. The transition began with the airing of episode 1,150, “The Phantom Thief Kid and the Crown Magic,” on January 18, 2025.
Furuya’s Departure and the Controversy
Tōru Furuya, a veteran voice actor with a career spanning over six decades, had been the voice of Tōru Amuro since the character’s debut in Detective Conan. Furuya is also well known for voicing Amuro Ray in Mobile Suit Gundam, a character that shares a name with the Detective Conan character. In May 2024, Japanese magazine Shūkan Bunshun revealed that Furuya had been involved in a four-and-a-half-year-long extramarital affair with a fan 37 years his junior. Furuya admitted to the affair on his X (formerly Twitter) account and confirmed reports that he had physically assaulted the woman and pressured her into having an abortion.
The scandal led to a swift backlash, resulting in Furuya’s removal from various projects. In June 2024, he stepped down from his roles as both Tōru Amuro in Detective Conan and Sabo in One Piece. He was also dropped from the cast of the video game Metaphor: ReFantazio. The voice acting agency, Aoni Production, stated that they requested Furuya’s resignation due to the damage caused to the characters’ image.
Takeshi Kusao Steps In
Takeshi Kusao, a seasoned voice actor with a diverse range of roles, has been selected as Furuya’s replacement. Kusao is famous for voicing Trunks in the Dragon Ball franchise, Hanamichi Sakuragi in Slam Dunk, and Coco in Yes! Precure 5. His debut as Tōru Amuro occurred in the first part of episode 1,150 of Detective Conan. Fans were first introduced to his voice in the episode’s ending credits. Kusao’s first line as Amuro was “Did you hear that strange sound? Is something the matter?” which immediately became a popular topic of discussion online.
Fan Reactions and Online Buzz
The recasting of Tōru Amuro sparked considerable discussion among fans online. Many expressed initial shock but were curious about the new voice. Initial reactions have been largely positive, with fans noting that Kusao’s voice is a close match to Furuya’s. Comments such as “It’s great to hear Amuro-san’s voice again,” “The new voice sounds close to Furuya’s,” and “The casting feels right!” have appeared across social media platforms. Terms like “Amuro’s voice” and “Amuro-san” quickly became trending topics on X.
The official Detective Conan website also addressed the change, stating: “We deeply regret the incident and took this matter seriously. After consultations with production partners, the Detective Conan movie committee, and the original creators, we decided on Furuya’s departure. While we recognize the various opinions regarding this decision, we remain committed to creating a series that fans can continue to enjoy and ask for your understanding.”
The Impact on Detective Conan
The voice change marks a notable shift in the Detective Conan series. Tōru Amuro is a central character, known for his complex identity as a public security officer, private detective, and member of the Black Organization. Furuya’s voice had become synonymous with the character over the years. The seamless transition to Kusao, whose voice has been praised for its similarity to Furuya’s, aims to maintain the series’ established feel.
This isn’t the first time Detective Conan has seen a change in voice actors. In 2009, Akira Kamiya, the original voice of Kogoro Mouri, was replaced by Rikiya Koyama due to contract disputes. That change, like this one, sparked discussion and debate amongst fans, highlighting how deeply connected viewers become to the voices behind their favorite characters.
Other Voice Actor Changes
The departure of Tōru Furuya has also led to other voice actor replacements in different anime series. Miyu Irino took over the role of Sabo in One Piece in August 2024. Additionally, Ryōta Suzuki replaced Furuya as the voice of Yamcha in Dragon Ball Daima. These changes reflect a broader industry response to the controversy surrounding Furuya’s actions.
Looking Ahead
The recasting of Tōru Amuro with Takeshi Kusao is a significant event for Detective Conan fans. While Furuya’s departure was prompted by a personal scandal, the series has moved forward by selecting a highly capable replacement. Kusao’s debut has been well received by fans, indicating a smooth transition and the continuation of the character’s beloved presence. The change serves as a reminder of the importance of both the personal conduct of public figures and the resilience of established anime series. Fans can now look forward to seeing how Kusao’s interpretation of Tōru Amuro will evolve in the coming episodes. The series continues to be a staple of the anime world with new episodes and movies, and the change in voice actor will not change the love for the character.
