by The upcoming Ranma 1/2 Season 3 has revealed its new opening theme, giving fans another exciting preview of what is coming when the popular romantic martial-arts comedy returns this October.
Singer-songwriter FUMINO will perform the Season 3 opening theme “Sunao Miman” (素直未満). The song was created with inspiration from the characters and their complicated emotions, particularly the frustrating feeling of wanting to be honest but being unable to express those feelings directly.
The announcement arrived alongside the release of the third promotional video for Ranma 1/2 Season 3, which gives fans a closer look at the romantic conflicts, comedy, and action coming in the new season. The PV also provides the first preview of both Season 3 theme songs, allowing viewers to hear FUMINO’s “Sunao Miman” and the ending theme “Kawaikunai” by Yuika before the anime premieres.
Season 3 officially begins broadcasting in Japan on October 3, 2026, on Nippon Television at 24:55 JST, with nationwide broadcasts following on the Nippon Television network. Immediately after the television broadcast, new episodes will be available exclusively on Netflix.
FUMINO Performs the New Ranma 1/2 Season 3 Opening
The new opening song “Sunao Miman” is performed by singer-songwriter FUMINO, who also wrote the lyrics and participated in composing the song.
According to FUMINO’s official comments, the music was inspired directly by Ranma 1/2 and its characters. Rather than simply creating a conventional high-energy anime opening, FUMINO focused on the emotional contradictions found throughout the story.
The singer specifically described the song as expressing the two sides that everyone possesses, as well as the frustrating feeling of being unable to honestly say what is in one’s heart.
That theme fits Ranma 1/2 particularly well.
At the center of the story are Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo, two characters who constantly argue, compete, te and misunderstand each other even as their relationship gradually develops.
Their inability to communicate their true feelings has been one of the defining elements of their relationship since the original manga.
FUMINO’s approach therefore connects naturally with the emotional side of the series while still leaving room for the chaotic comedy and martial-arts action that make Ranma 1/2 unique.
“Sunao Miman” Debuts in the Third Season PV
The newly released Season 3 third promotional video gives fans their first opportunity to hear part of “Sunao Miman.”
The PV focuses on Ranma, A,kane, and Ryoga, while also introducing several characters who will appear during the new season.
Rather than showing only action scenes, the trailer emphasizes the complicated romantic relationships between the characters. It also features the kind of exaggerated comedy, martial-arts battles,ttles and chaotic situations that viewers have come to expect from the series.
The official website describes Season 3 as a continuation of the series’ “slapstick martial-arts romantic comedy” style.
That combination is important for newcomers. Ranma 1/2 is not a straightforward romance or a traditional martial-arts anime. It constantly moves between romantic misunderstandings, supernatural transformations, physical comedy, and action.
The new PV appears to continue that balance.
New Ending Theme “Kawaikunai” Also Revealed
Season 3 will not only have a new opening theme.
The ending theme has been confirmed as “Kawaikunai” by Yuika.
Like FUMINO, Yuika was inspired by the emotional world of the series when creating her song. She explained that although Ranma 1/2 contains many fantastical elements, she strongly related to Ranma and Akane’s inability to be completely honest with each other.
She also praised the way the story depicts small emotional changes that characters sometimes cannot put into words.
Yuika said she had hoped to eventually contribute to Ranma 1/2, particularly after seeing the respected artists who handled the first two seasons’ theme songs.
She therefore approached “Kawaikunai” with the goal of creating a song that would genuinely fit the world of the series.
Both theme songs can now be heard in part through the Season 3 promotional video.
When Does Ranma 1/2 Season 3 Premiere?
The third season of the new Ranma 1/2 anime will officially premiere in Japan on:
October 3, 2026
The television broadcast begins on Nippon Television every Saturday at 24:55 JST.
Because the time is listed as 24:55, international viewers should understand that this technically falls after midnight on Sunday, even though Japanese television schedules commonly identify it as part of the Saturday-night programming block.
The series will then be broadcast sequentially across the Nippon Television network nationwide.
Immediately after each Japanese television broadcast, the episode will become available exclusively on Netflix.
What Is Ranma 1/2 About?
For viewers who are new to the franchise, Ranma 1/2 is a classic manga and anime created by Rumiko Takahashi, one of Japan’s most influential manga creators.
The story follows Ranma Saotome, a young martial artist who suffers from a bizarre curse after falling into one of the legendary cursed springs in China.
Whenever Ranma is splashed with cold water, he transforms into a girl.
Hot water changes him back into a boy.
This unusual curse becomes the foundation for much of the series’ comedy, misunderstandings, and action.
Ranma’s life becomes even more complicated when he becomes engaged to Akane Tendo, the daughter of his father’s longtime martial-arts acquaintance.
Neither Ranma nor Akane is particularly happy about the arrangement at first, and their personalities constantly clash.
However, beneath their arguments and rivalry is a relationship that gradually becomes much more complicated.
That mixture of romance, martial arts, comedy, and supernatural transformation is the basic formula behind Ranma 1/2.
Why “Sunao Miman” Fits Ranma and Akane
The title “Sunao Miman” can be understood roughly as “not quite honest” or “less than honest.”
That idea is almost perfectly suited to Ranma and Akane.
They often care deeply about each other but struggle to admit it.
Instead of simply saying what they feel, they frequently argue, compete,e or become embarrassed when their relationship becomes too obvious.
This emotional tension has always been a major part of Ranma 1/2.
FUMINO’s explanation that the song focuses on people’s duality and their inability to be completely honest therefore feels particularly appropriate for the series.
The song appears to approach the characters not only through their comedic personalities but also through the emotions hidden beneath their arguments.
For longtime fans, that could make “Sunao Miman” an especially fitting opening theme for the next chapter.
Season 3 Brings More Characters Into the Story
The new third promotional video also previews several characters who will appear in Season 3.
The Season 3 key visual, previously released in July, places Ranma, Ak, Ane, and Ryoga at the center while surrounding them with characters appearing in the new season. The official website describes the artwork as capturing the chaotic romantic-comedy atmosphere of the series.
The growing cast is important because Ranma 1/2 becomes increasingly chaotic as more characters become involved.
Characters such as Shampoo, Mousse, Ukyo Kuonji, Tatewaki Kuno and Kodachi Kuno each have their own relationships with Ranma and Akane, creating a constantly changing collection of romantic misunderstandings and rivalries.
The new season is therefore expected to continue expanding the ensemble rather than focusing only on the central couple.
The Original Voice Cast Returns
One of the most notable features of the modern Ranma 1/2 anime is its use of the original Japanese voice cast for many major characters.
Kappei Yamaguchi continues as Ranma’s male voice, while Megumi Hayashibara voices Ranma’s female form.
Other returning major cast members include:
- Noriko Hidaka as Akane Tendo
- Koichi Yamadera as Ryoga Hibiki
- Rei Sakuma as Shampoo
- Toshihiko Seki as Mousse
- Kaori Nazuka as Ukyo Kuonji
- Tomokazu Sugita as Tatewaki Kuno
- Ayane Sakura as Kodachi Kuno
- Akio Otsuka as Soun Tendo
- Cho as Genma Saotome
- Kikuko Inoue as Kasumi Tdo.
The return of these veteran performers has been one of the biggest attractions of the new adaptation.
For fans who watched the original anime decades ago, hearing the familiar voices again gives the remake a strong connection to the classic series.
MAPPA Continues to Produce the Anime
The new Ranma 1/2 anime is produced by MAPPA, one of Japan’s most prominent modern animation studios.
The current staff includes:
- Original Work: Rumiko Takahashi
- Director: Konosuke Uda
- Series Composition: Kimiko Ueno
- Character Design: Hiromi Taniguchi
- Chief Animation Directors: Yoshiko Saito, Kosuke Kawamura, Riko Kaneda, Haruki Miura, Midori Nakamura and Daisuke Niinuma
- Art Directors: Chihiro Okawa and Ryuta Hayashi
- Color Design: Yukiko Kakita
- Compositing Director: Atsushi Kano
- Music: Kaoru Wada
- Animation Production: MAPPA.
The combination of Takahashi’s original characters, the returning cast, st and MAPPA’s modern animation has allowed the new series to introduce Ranma 1/2 to viewers who may never have watched the original television anime.
October 3 Will Be a Big Day for Ranma Fans
The Season 3 premiere date will also be accompanied by several special events.
On October 3, 2026, a special advance screening and talk event will take place at United Cinemas Aqua City Odaiba in Tokyo.
The event will screen Episodes 25 and 26, corresponding to Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2, before the television premiere.
The event will feature:
- Kappei Yamaguchi as Ranma
- Noriko Hidaka as Akane
- Koichi Yamadera as Ryoga
The cast will also participate in a talk session discussing the upcoming season.
There will be two performances on October 3, and attendees will receive a special clear file as an admission bonus.
This allows Japanese fans to see the first two Season 3 episodes on the big screen before the television broadcast.
Ranma and Akane Voice Actors Will Hold a Watch Party
Another October 3 event will take place online.
The official Ranma 1/2 X account will host a watch party in X Space featuring Kappei Yamaguchi and Megumi Hayashibara, the voices of Ranma’s male and female forms.
The watch party is scheduled for the late-night period surrounding the Season 3 premiere.
For longtime fans, this is another opportunity to experience the premiere alongside the people who have voiced the central character for decades.
The combination of the television premiere, advance screening, and online watch party makes October 3 a particularly important day for the franchise.
A Surprise Guest Voice Actor Is Also Joining Season 3
There is another new development that fans should know about.
Japanese comedian and artist Seiya, from the comedy duo Shimofuri Myojo, has been appointed as a promotional ambassador for the Ranma 1/2 anime.
He is also confirmed to appear as a guest voice actor in Season 3.
His specific episode and character have not yet been announced, meaning viewers will have to wait for additional information from the official anime team.
Seiya explained that he had already been watching the new Ranma 1/2 anime as a fan, making the opportunity especially meaningful to him.
He praised the series for combining cute characters, exciting action,n and a strong voice cast, while describing it as a show where almost every viewer can find a character to support.
Season 3 Continues the Successful Reboot
The current Ranma 1/2 anime began in October 2024, giving the classic franchise a completely new television adaptation.
Instead of simply editing or remastering the original 1989 anime, the new series presents Rumiko Takahashi’s manga with modern animation while retaining the core characters, comedy,edy and story.
Season 2 followed in 2025 and 2026, and Season 3 now continues that adaptation.
This approach has allowed the franchise to introduce Ranma and Akane to a new generation without abandoning the elements that made the original manga popular.
Why Ranma 1/2 Still Works for New Viewers
At first, Ranma 1/2 may seem unusual to modern viewers.
The idea of a martial artist changing gender whenever splashed with cold water is intentionally absurd.
But the transformation is more than a simple joke.
It creates a constant source of misunderstandings, changes the way other characters interact with Ranma, and allows the series to explore identity, romance,e and social expectations through comedy.
At the same time, the martial-arts element gives the series plenty of action.
Everyday disagreements can turn into competitions, challenges and full-scale fights, often involving characters with completely different fighting styles.
That combination is one reason Ranma 1/2 has remained recognizable for decades.
The announcement of FUMINO’s “Sunao Miman” as the opening theme for Ranma 1/2 Season 3 gives fans another reason to look forward to the anime’s October return.
The song’s focus on duality and the frustration of being unable to honestly express one’s feelings fits the complicated relationship between Ranma and Akane particularly well.
At the same time, the new third PV gives viewers their first taste of both the opening and ending themes, while teasing new characters, romantic complications, and the energetic action-comedy that defines the series.
Season 3 premieres in Japan on October 3, 2026, at 24:55 JST on Nippon Television, followed immediately by an exclusive Netflix release.
With “Sunao Miman” by FUMINO opening the season and “Kawaikunai” by Yuika closing each episode, the music is also taking a fresh approach to the emotions at the heart of the classic series.
And with a special advance screening, cast talk event, premiere-day watch party, and Seiya’s upcoming guest appearance, October is shaping up to be a particularly busy month for Ranma 1/2 fans.
