by The excitement surrounding Ranma 1/2 Season 3 is growing rapidly after the anime revealed its new opening and ending theme songs alongside a brand-new promotional video.
The third promotional video, released on September 14, 2026, gives fans a fresh look at the romantic complications, comedy, and martial-arts action coming in the new season. The video also provides the first preview of the two new theme songs, allowing viewers to hear “Sunao Miman” by FUMINO and “Kawaikunai” by Yuika ahead of the anime’s return.
The announcement has already generated enthusiastic reactions from fans, with viewers praising the animation, the character designs,s and the combination of cute and cool moments in the new footage.
Comments include reactions such as “Everyone is so cute and cool!”, “The animation looks amazing!”, and excitement over emotional moments involving Akane and the increasingly complicated relationships between the characters.
With Season 3 scheduled to premiere in Japan on October 3, 2026, Ranma 1/2 is preparing to bring another chapter of Rumiko Takahashi’s classic martial-arts romantic comedy to a new generation.
Ranma 1/2 Season 3 Reveals Two New Theme Songs
The biggest musical announcement is the confirmation of the Season 3 opening theme:
“Sunao Miman” — FUMINO
Singer-songwriter FUMINO will perform the opening theme “Sunao Miman” (素直未満).
The song is particularly fitting for Ranma 1/2 because its title and emotional concept connect with one of the central themes of the series: characters who struggle to honestly express their feelings.
FUMINO wrote the lyrics and also participated in the song’s composition. The song was created with inspiration from the characters and their emotional contradictions, including the feeling of wanting to be honest while being unable to say what is really in one’s heart.
That idea is especially relevant to Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo, whose relationship is filled with arguments, misunderstandings, embarrassment,nt and feelings that neither character easily admits.
The official Season 3 announcement describes “Sunao Miman” as a song expressing the duality that everyone possesses and the frustration of not being completely honest.
Yuika Performs the Season 3 Ending Theme
The ending theme has also been confirmed.
Singer-songwriter Yuika will perform “Kawaikunai” (かわいくない).
Like the opening theme, the ending song focuses on the complicated emotions surrounding the characters.
The choice of two different singer-songwriters gives Season 3 a musical identity that reflects both sides of Ranma 1/2: the energetic comedy and action on one hand, and the more emotional romantic story on the other.
The first audio preview of “Kawaikunai” is included in the third promotional video alongside FUMINO’s “Sunao Miman.”
This means fans do not have to wait until the October premiere to hear the new songs.
The Third PV Focuses on Ranma, Akane and Ryoga
The new promotional video puts Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga at the center of the footage.
The three characters are connected by one of the most complicated relationship triangles in the series.
Ranma and Akane are engaged because of an arrangement made by their parents, but their relationship is anything but simple.
Meanwhile, Ryoga Hibiki has a long-standing rivalry with Ranma and also has complicated feelings involving Akane.
The new PV gives viewers a glimpse of the romantic tension among the three while also showing the chaotic situations that make Ranma 1/2 different from a conventional romance anime.
The official description specifically emphasizes that the trailer contains scenes worthy of the franchise’s identity as a “slapstick martial-arts romantic comedy.”
In other words, viewers can expect romance, fights, misunderstandings, absurd comedy, and supernatural transformations to collide once again.
New Characters Appear in the Season 3 PV
The third promotional video does more than showcase the main trio.
Several new characters appearing in Season 3 are also featured, giving fans an early look at the larger cast and the new situations that Ranma and his friends will encounter.
This is one reason the trailer has generated so much discussion among longtime fans.
The new season is not simply repeating the same Ranma-and-Akane relationship conflicts. It is continuing to adapt more of Rumiko Takahashi’s original manga, introducing additional characters and stories along the way.
The official Season 3 key visual released in July already hinted at this larger cast, surrounding Ranma, Akane,e and Ryoga with characters who will become involved in the new season’s chaotic storylines.
Fans Are Praising the “Cute and Cool” Balance
The response to the new PV has been particularly enthusiastic.
Fans have praised the visual quality while also highlighting the appeal of individual characters.
Some reactions describe the trailer as being packed with “cuteness and coolness,” while others have specifically commented on Akane’s emotional scenes.
There has also been excitement about story material that has not appeared in the previous modern anime seasons.
For longtime Ranma 1/2 readers, the prospect of seeing additional manga stories finally adapted is one of the biggest attractions of Season 3.
The combination of new story material, familiar characters, rs and modern animation appears to be one of the main reasons anticipation is increasing ahead of the October premiere.
What Is Ranma 1/2 About?
For newcomers, Ranma 1/2 is a classic manga created by Rumiko Takahashi, one of Japan’s most influential manga creators.
The original manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday from 1987 to 1996.
The story follows Ranma Saotome, a young martial artist who travels to China for training with his father, Genma.
During their journey, Ranma falls into a cursed spring.
As a result, he develops a strange condition: when he is splashed with cold water, he transforms into a girl. Hot water changes him back into a boy.
His father suffers from a related curse and transforms into a giant panda.
This bizarre supernatural situation becomes the foundation for much of the series’ comedy.
Ranma and Akane’s Complicated Engagement
Ranma’s life becomes even more complicated when he returns to Japan and discovers that his father has arranged his engagement to Akane Tendo.
Akane is the youngest daughter of Soun Tendo, an old martial-arts friend of Genma.
Neither Ranma nor Akane is particularly enthusiastic about the arrangement.
They argue constantly, compete with each ot, and often misunderstand what the other person is actually feeling.
However, beneath all those arguments is a relationship that gradually becomes deeper.
This is one of the reasons Ranma 1/2 continues to work as both a comedy and a romance.
The characters may spend much of their time fighting, but their emotional connections are constantly developing.
Why Ranma 1/2 Is Called a Martial-Arts Romantic Comedy
Unlike a conventional romantic anime, Ranma 1/2 rarely allows its characters to have a simple conversation about their feelings.
A romantic moment can suddenly turn into a martial-arts battle.
A serious situation can become a joke.
A character may transform into another form at exactly the worst possible moment.
And a rivalry can unexpectedly become part of a romantic misunderstanding.
That combination of genres is the heart of the series.
The official anime team continues to describe the work as a slapstick fighting romantic comedy, and the new Season 3 PV appears to embrace that formula completely.
Season 3 Continues the Modern Anime Adaptation
The current Ranma 1/2 anime is not a continuation of the old 1989 television series.
Instead, it is a new adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s original manga, produced with modern animation.
The first season premiered in October 2024, followed by Season 2 in October 2025.
Season 3 continues the same production and adaptation approach.
The series is directed by Konosuke Uda, with Kimiko Ueno handling series composition and Hiromi Taniguchi serving as character designer.
Animation production is handled by MAPPA.
The first two seasons established a visual style that combines the distinctive designs of Takahashi’s original characters with modern animation techniques, while retaining the fast comedy and physical action of the manga.
MAPPA Returns for Season 3
MAPPA continues as the animation studio for Season 3.
The studio is known internationally for major anime productions, but Ranma 1/2 gives it a very different creative challenge.
The series requires a combination of:
- Fast martial-arts choreography
- Facial comedy
- Exaggerated physical reactions
- Romantic character acting
- Transformation scenes
- Detailed character animation
- Timing-based slapstick comedy
That combination is important because Ranma 1/2 relies heavily on movement.
A character simply standing in a room is rarely enough.
A joke might depend on a facial expression lasting only a few frames, while a martial-arts sequence may require completely different animation techniques.
The new PV gives viewers another look at how the production team is handling that balance.
The Original Voice Cast Continues
One of the biggest strengths of the new Ranma 1/2 adaptation is its returning Japanese voice cast.
Kappei Yamaguchi continues to voice Ranma’s male form, while Megumi Hayashibara voices Ranma’s female form.
Other major returning performers 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
The returning cast gives the modern adaptation a direct connection to the franchise’s earlier anime history while allowing the characters to be presented with updated animation.
Season 3 Premiere Date Confirmed
The third season will officially premiere in Japan on:
October 3, 2026
The broadcast begins on Nippon Television every Saturday at 24:55 JST.
Because Japanese television schedules frequently use times beyond midnight, the listed 24:55 time technically falls at 12:55 a.m. on Sunday.
The series will then be broadcast sequentially across the Nippon Television network nationwide.
Immediately after the television broadcast, the new episode will be available exclusively on Netflix.
October 3 Will Be a Major Ranma 1/2 Day
The Season 3 premiere will be accompanied by several special events.
On October 3, 2026, a special advance screening and talk show will take place at United Cinemas Aqua City Odaiba in Tokyo.
The event will screen Episodes 25 and 26, which correspond to Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2, on the big screen before the television premiere.
The event will feature:
- Kappei Yamaguchi — Ranma Saotome
- Noriko Hidaka — Akane Tendo
- Koichi Yamadera — Ryoga Hibiki
The cast will also participate in a talk session about the new season.
The event will have afternoon and evening performances, with tickets priced at ¥3,000. Attendees will also receive a special clear-file bonus.
For Japanese fans, this creates an unusual opportunity to watch the first two episodes in a cinema setting before the regular television broadcast.
A Special Watch Party Is Also Coming
The official anime team has announced another October 3 event.
A special watch party on the anime’s official X Space will feature Kappei Yamaguchi and Megumi Hayashibara, the voices of Ranma’s male and female forms.
The live program will take place late on October 3 around the Season 3 premiere.
This is particularly fitting because Ranma’s character is unique within the cast: one character is represented by two longtime voice performers depending on which form Ranma takes.
For fans who have followed the series for decades, hearing Yamaguchi and Hayashibara discuss the new season together should make the premiere even more nostalgic.
Seiya Joins Season 3 as a Guest Voice Actor
Another recent announcement has added comedian Seiya, a member of the comedy duo Shimofuri Myojo, to the Season 3 promotional campaign.
Seiya has been appointed as the anime’s promotional ambassador and will also appear as a guest voice actor in the Season 3 anime.
His specific episode and character have not yet been revealed. The official production team says that additional information will be announced later.
Seiya is already a fan of the modern Ranma 1/2 anime and said he had been watching it since Season 1.
He praised the series for its combination of cute characters, exciting action, and a strong voice cast, describing it as a show where viewers can easily find a character to support.
The Third PV Shows Why the Series Still Works
The new promotional video is effective because it does not focus on only one aspect of Ranma 1/2.
It has romantic scenes.
It has comedy.
It has action.
It has character transformations.
And it has moments that highlight the emotional relationships between the cast.
This mixture is exactly what makes the series different from a conventional romance anime.
Ranma and Akane may be at the emotional center, but the surrounding characters constantly disrupt their relationship.
Ryoga can turn a serious situation into a rivalry.
Shampoo can create another romantic complication.
Mousse can appear with another plan.
And characters such as the Kuno siblings can introduce an entirely different type of chaos.
Season 3 appears ready to continue that tradition.
Fans Are Especially Excited About Akane
Among the reactions to the new PV, Akane has received considerable attention.
Some fans have specifically commented on her emotional expressions, including scenes in which she appears upset or close to tears.
That is significant because Akane is often remembered primarily for her fiery personality.
However, one of the strengths of the new adaptation is that it can spend more time showing the emotional side beneath her toughness.
Her relationship with Ranma is not simply a series of jokes.
She can become jealous, embarrassed, worried, or hurt, even when she does not openly admit those feelings.
The emotional scenes in the new PV therefore give fans another reason to anticipate Season 3.
More Manga Stories Are Coming to the Screen
One of the biggest reasons longtime manga readers are excited about Season 3 is the possibility of seeing additional stories from Takahashi’s original manga adapted into animation.
The modern anime is gradually working through the manga material, meaning that viewers who know the original story can recognize upcoming characters and situations while anime-only fans experience them for the first time.
The new PV’s appearance of additional characters has therefore generated discussion about which manga chapters and storylines Season 3 will adapt.
Rather than treating the remake as a simple repeat of the older television series, the new anime is giving modern viewers another route through Takahashi’s original story.
The Series Has Built a Strong International Audience
Netflix’s involvement has also made the new Ranma 1/2 accessible to viewers outside Japan.
The official Japanese schedule confirms that Season 3 will stream exclusively on Netflix immediately after the Japanese broadcast.
For international fans, this is particularly useful because the series can be followed weekly rather than waiting for a later home-video release.
The exact availability and subtitle/audio options can vary by territory, so viewers should check their local Netflix listings when Season 3 begins.
Ranma 1/2 Remains One of Rumiko Takahashi’s Most Recognizable Works
Rumiko Takahashi has created some of the most influential manga and anime franchises in Japan, including Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Inuyasha and Ranma 1/2.
Ranma 1/2 stands out because of how many genres it combines.
The series can be a martial-arts comedy in one chapter, a romantic story in the next, and a supernatural farce immediately afterward.
Its transformation premise also gives Takahashi endless opportunities to create misunderstandings.
Ranma’s male and female forms are both part of the same character, but different characters react differently depending on which form they see.
That simple idea creates a huge number of comedic situations.
Why New Viewers Can Still Enjoy Ranma 1/2
Someone encountering Ranma 1/2 for the first time in 2026 may wonder whether they need to watch the original 1989 anime.
The answer is no.
The current television series is a new adaptation of the manga and provides a modern entry point into the story.
The basic premise is easy to understand:
Ranma is a martial artist cursed to transform into a girl when splashed with cold water. He is engaged to Akane, another martial artist, and their lives become increasingly chaotic as rivals, friends,s and supernatural situations enter the picture.
From there, the series gradually introduces the wider cast.
The important thing for beginners is not memorizing every character immediately.
The comedy comes from watching these personalities collide.
The latest Ranma 1/2 Season 3 third promotional video has given fans plenty to talk about.
Alongside new footage focused on Ranma, Akane and Ryoga, the PV introduces additional characters and showcases the mixture of romance, martial arts and comedy that defines the series. Most importantly, it gives fans their first preview of the two new theme songs: “Sunao Miman” by FUMINO and “Kawaikunai” by Yuika.
FUMINO’s opening theme is particularly appropriate for Ranma and Akane because its emotional concept centers on the frustration of being unable to honestly express one’s feelings.
Meanwhile, Yuika’s ending theme provides another musical perspective on the characters’ complicated emotions.
Season 3 will premiere in Japan on October 3, 2026, at 24:55 JST on Nippon Television, with Netflix streaming the episode immediately after its Japanese television broadcast.
The premiere day will also feature a special advance screening of the first two Season 3 episodes, a cast talk event,nt and an official X Space watch party featuring Kappei Yamaguchi and Megumi Hayashibara.
