Metaphor: ReFantazio Voice Actor Recast After Abuse Allegations

Toru Furuya has been recast in Metaphor: ReFantazio. Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of Atlus’ newest projects, set for a release on October 11, 2024. The game is being developed by several industry veterans, perhaps most well-known for their work on the Persona franchise. Katsura Hashino, director of the Persona series from Persona 3 to Persona 5, founded Studio Zero in 2016, and development for Metaphor: ReFantazio, then-titled Project Re:Fantasy, was announced that December.

Atlus has suggested Metaphor: ReFantazio will be a step in a different direction compared to the Persona games. Metaphor: ReFantazio‘s director, lead artist, and composer are Katsura Hashino, Shigenori Soejima, and, Shoji Meguro, respectively. Their work has defined the current look of the Persona franchise, but interviews and press suggest a darker, more mature tone for Metaphor: ReFantazio. One strong similarity the game will share, however, is getting to build bonds with other characters and party members.

Atlus has announced that Toru Furuya will no longer be voicing any characters in Metaphor: ReFantazio. This news follows the recent development that Furuya had an almost five-year-long affair with a fan that became physically abusive. In May, Furuya admitted guilt on social media, apologizing to the woman he harmed and stating he would spend the rest of his life atoning for his mistakes. In addition, Furuya apologized for tainting the image of the characters he represented. He has since deleted his social media account. Updates for recast characters in Metaphor: ReFantazio are expected to be announced in July.

Fans have expressed their disappointment with Furuya’s actions. The 70-year-old actor has spent over 50 years voice acting, previously playing iconic characters like Yamcha in the Dragon Ball series, Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon, and anime adaptation versions of Mario. Toru Furuya has also stepped down from roles in One Piece and Detective Conan following this news, but any plans to recast those characters are still unknown.

So far, there have been no changes to the expected October 11 release date for Metaphor: ReFantazio. It is likely that Atlus has plenty more to share with fans who are anticipating the release. Aside from showing up at the Xbox Games Showcase, players have been able to preview Metaphor: ReFantazio, noting the way the game takes further strides in directions that blur the line between a video game and an anime. It appears that Studio Zero will remain hard at work to ensure that the final product meets the expectations that fans have come to appreciate from other Atlus titles.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Developed by Atlus’ Studio Zero, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fantasy RPG set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, a medieval world that mirrors the modern-day “real world.” It takes inspiration from the Persona series with its turn-based combat and social sim elements.

Released

October 11, 2024

Developer(s)

Studio Zero