by Marvel fans in Japan have something exciting to celebrate as the long-awaited Japanese dubbed version of X-Men ’97 is finally coming to Disney+. After months of requests from viewers, Disney has officially confirmed that the acclaimed animated series will receive a full Japanese dub, allowing even more fans to experience the return of Marvel’s legendary mutant heroes in their native language.
Season 1 of the Japanese dub begins streaming on July 23, while Season 2 is scheduled to arrive in late August. Alongside the announcement, the complete Japanese voice cast has also been revealed, featuring an impressive lineup of experienced voice actors bringing iconic Marvel characters such as Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean Grey, Storm, Magneto, Professor X, and Apocalypse to life.
A Long-Awaited Return for Marvel’s Legendary Mutants
X-Men ’97 serves as the official continuation of the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series, which originally aired in the United States beginning in 1992 and became one of Marvel’s most influential animated productions.
Rather than rebooting the franchise, X-Men ’97 continues the story from where the original series left off, preserving its classic visual style, memorable theme music, and beloved characters while introducing a brand-new storyline for modern audiences.
The series follows the X-Men, a team of superheroes born with extraordinary genetic mutations that grant them incredible powers. While protecting a world that often fears and rejects them, the mutants continue fighting for the dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants—a vision championed by their founder, Professor Charles Xavier.
With emotional storytelling, stunning animation, and faithful respect for the original series, X-Men ’97 has quickly become one of Marvel Animation’s biggest successes.
Japanese Dub Officially Confirmed
Since the series first premiered internationally, many Japanese fans had hoped Disney would release a localized dubbed version.
Social media was filled with comments such as:
- “I’m sure they’ll release a Japanese dub eventually.”
- “I really want to watch it with Japanese voices.”
- “Please bring the dubbed version to Disney+.”
After months of anticipation, those requests have finally been answered.
Disney has officially announced that the Japanese dubbed version will be available exclusively on Disney+, making it easier for both longtime fans and newcomers to enjoy the acclaimed Marvel series.
The announcement has been warmly welcomed by fans who grew up watching animated superhero shows with Japanese voice acting.
Japanese Voice Cast Revealed
The newly announced Japanese cast features several accomplished voice actors portraying Marvel’s iconic mutant heroes and villains.
Cyclops – Voiced by Tsuguo Mogami
The disciplined field leader of the X-Men, Cyclops possesses powerful optic blasts that fire destructive red energy beams from his eyes. Known for his tactical brilliance and unwavering sense of responsibility, Cyclops remains one of the team’s central figures.
Jean Grey – Voiced by Haruka Shimizu
One of the most powerful mutants in Marvel history, Jean Grey possesses extraordinary telepathic and telekinetic abilities. Her emotional journey continues to play a major role in the series.
Storm – Voiced by Yoko Kurata
The elegant yet formidable Storm commands the forces of nature, controlling weather phenomena such as lightning, wind, rain, and storms. She remains one of the X-Men’s strongest and most respected leaders.
Wolverine – Voiced by Takeshi Maruyama
Perhaps the franchise’s most recognizable hero, Wolverine combines razor-sharp adamantium claws with enhanced strength, heightened senses, rapid healing, and exceptional combat skills. His rugged personality continues to make him a fan favorite.
Sunspot – Voiced by Yuki Arata
A newer member of the team, Sunspot absorbs solar energy to dramatically enhance his physical strength and durability, bringing youthful energy and fresh perspectives to the X-Men.
Professor Charles Xavier – Voiced by Shozo Sasaki
Known as Professor X, Charles Xavier is the founder of the X-Men and one of the world’s most powerful telepaths. His lifelong mission is to build understanding and peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants.
Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr) – Voiced by Jin Urayama
Professor X’s longtime friend and ideological rival, Magneto possesses the ability to manipulate magnetic fields and control metal. While both men seek a better future for mutants, their vastly different methods often place them in conflict.
Apocalypse – Voiced by Hiroya Egashira
One of Marvel’s oldest and most dangerous mutants, Apocalypse returns as an overwhelming force whose immense power and belief in “survival of the fittest” make him one of the X-Men’s greatest enemies.
Why X-Men ’97 Has Received So Much Praise
Since its original release, X-Men ’97 has earned widespread acclaim from both critics and longtime Marvel fans.
The series successfully balances nostalgia with modern storytelling, delivering high-quality animation, emotionally driven character arcs, and action-packed battles while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original 1990s cartoon.
Its exploration of themes such as discrimination, acceptance, identity, family, sacrifice, and social prejudice continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, the series expands the original narrative with fresh conflicts and meaningful character development that appeal to both returning viewers and newcomers.
Critical Acclaim
X-Men ’97 has become one of Marvel’s highest-rated animated productions.
As of July 22, the series held an impressive 99% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the best-reviewed Marvel projects to date.
Critics have praised the show for:
- Faithfully continuing the original animated series.
- Outstanding voice performances.
- High-quality animation and action sequences.
- Strong emotional storytelling.
- Respecting longtime fans while remaining accessible to new audiences.
The overwhelming positive reception has helped establish X-Men ’97 as a standout entry in Marvel Animation’s growing lineup.
Streaming Schedule
Japanese viewers can enjoy the series according to the following release schedule:
- Season 1 (Japanese Dub): Available exclusively on Disney+ beginning July 23.
- Season 2 (Japanese Dub): Scheduled to premiere in late August on Disney+.
The staggered release allows fans to revisit the first season before continuing with the next chapter of the mutants’ story.
Why This Release Matters
The arrival of a Japanese dub significantly expands the accessibility of X-Men ’97. Viewers who prefer watching anime and animated series in Japanese can now experience Marvel’s iconic mutants with a talented local cast, while longtime fans of the original animated series have another reason to revisit the franchise.
The combination of classic storytelling, modern animation, and professional Japanese voice performances is expected to introduce X-Men ’97 to an even wider audience across Japan.
Final Thoughts
The official release of the Japanese dubbed version of X-Men ’97 marks an exciting milestone for Marvel fans. With Season 1 arriving on Disney+ on July 23, followed by Season 2 in late August, audiences can finally enjoy the celebrated animated series in Japanese after months of anticipation.
Featuring an outstanding voice cast, critically acclaimed storytelling, and the return of legendary heroes such as Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, Jean Grey, Professor X, and Magneto, X-Men ’97 continues the legacy of one of Marvel’s most iconic animated franchises. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original 1992 series or discovering the X-Men for the first time, the Japanese dub offers a fresh and accessible way to experience this award-winning revival.
