Renowned weathercaster and actor Yoshizumi Ishihara is set to make a special guest appearance in the Doraemon anime’s upcoming New Year’s Eve one-hour special, airing on December 31, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. JST on TV Asahi. Ishihara will lend his voice to the character Morgan, a member of the villainous Snake gang, in the new original episode titled “Space Western: Umatake of the Wild” (also referred to as “Space Western: Umatake in the Wilderness”). This marks Ishihara’s first anime voice acting role in approximately 19 years.
Ishihara’s Return to Anime Voice Acting
Yoshizumi Ishihara, known for his charismatic presence as a weathercaster and actor, will step into the world of anime after nearly two decades. His role as Morgan, part of the antagonist Snake gang, will see him confront Nobita and his friends on the mysterious Planet Uma. The Snake gang terrorizes the local residents of Planet Uma, who are described as a unique cross between horses and bamboo.
Ishihara shared his initial struggles during the recording sessions, admitting to wondering, “What should I do…?”. However, he embraced the challenge, repeating various patterns and working closely with the director to refine his performance, a process he ultimately found enjoyable. The 63-year-old expressed his excitement and honor at being part of the Doraemon legacy, having grown up with the series himself.
“Space Western: Umatake of the Wild”
The core of the 2025 New Year’s Eve special is an original story inspired by the upcoming 2026 zodiac animal, the Horse (Uma). The episode introduces “Umatake,” a new creature from the 22nd century that is a combination of a horse and bamboo. Nobita and Doraemon, along with Umatake, embark on a grand adventure to Planet Uma using a “Purpose-Specific Planet Exploration Shuttle”.
The episode features a clash with the villainous Snake Family, with familiar Doraemon voice actors taking on new antagonistic roles alongside Ishihara. Subaru Kimura, the voice of Gian, will portray Snake, the leader of the gang, while Tomokazu Seki, the voice of Suneo, will voice Tiger, a villain hired by Snake. This dynamic puts the beloved characters in a unique situation, facing their friends in villainous capacities.
New Year’s Eve Tradition and Additional Details
The Doraemon New Year’s Eve Special is a cherished tradition in Japan, offering families a heartwarming broadcast to mark the end of the year. The one-hour special, officially titled “Omisoka da yo! Doraemon Ichijikan Supesharu” (It’s New Year’s Eve! Doraemon One-Hour Special), will also include a special giveaway campaign, offering rubber keychains themed around the Year of the Horse. Details on how to apply will be available on the official website.
In addition to the main episode, the special broadcast is expected to introduce the latest information about the upcoming 2026 Doraemon film, Eiga Doraemon: Shin Nobita no Kaitei Kiganjō (Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil), which is a remake of the 1983 classic and is set to premiere in Japan on February 27, 2026. This ensures a celebratory and informative viewing experience for Doraemon fans as they ring in the new year.
