by It has been decided that an entirely new TV anime adaptation of the hugely popular manga “Ranma 1/2” will be produced for the first time in 32 years since 1992. It will be broadcast on Nippon TV every Saturday from 24:55 starting October 5th and exclusively distributed on Netflix immediately after the broadcast.
In addition, ten cast members have been announced, with Yamaguchi Kappei playing the main character, Saotome Ranma, Hayashibara Megumi playing Ranma, and Hidaka Noriko playing Tendo Akane. The cast from the 1989 broadcast will continue.
Other cast members include Takayama Minami as Tendo Nabiki, Inoue Kikuko as Tendo Kasumi, Otsuka Akio as Tendo Soun, Cho as Saotome Genma, Yamadera Kouichi as Hibiki Ryoga, Sakuma Rei as Shampoo, and Ogata Kenichi as narrator.
The role of Tendo Soun has been changed from Obayashi Ryusuke to Otsuka Akio, and the role of Saotome Genma has been changed from Ogata Kenichi to Cho, but the rest of the cast will continue in their roles.
The PV released features the first reveal of completely new anime footage and the character voices. Lines from Saotome Ranma (CV: Yamaguchi Kappei) and Ranma (CV: Hayashibara Megumi) can be heard, as well as the character voices of Tendo Akane (CV: Hidaka Noriko), Saotome Genma (CV: Cho), Tendo Soun (CV: Otsuka Akio), Tendo Kasumi (CV: Inoue Kikuko), and Tendo Nabiki (CV: Takayama Minami).
The animation will be produced by MAPPA, directed by Uda Konosuke of “ONE PIECE” and “DAYS,” and series composition by Yuto Ogawara, known for “Dungeon Meshi” and “Uchitama?! ~Have You Seen My Tama? The cast will include Kimiko Ueno, who worked on “Ranma 1/2,” Hiromi Taniguchi, who worked on “Jellyfish Diner” and “Punch Line,” and the opening theme song will be performed by ano. “Ranma 1/2” is a fighting romantic comedy that depicts the daily lives of high school student Ranma Saotome, who turns into a girl when splashed with water, and his fiancee Akane Tendo, and involves those around them.
The series is based on a popular manga by Rumiko Takahashi, which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday from 1987 to 1996, and an anime TV series aired from 1989 to 1992. It was later made into an anime film and an OVA, and in 2011, it was made into a live-action drama starring Yui Aragaki (as Akane).
Comment from Yamaguchi Kappei (as Ranma Saotome): Wow! What on earth is this reward for?! To be able to perform “Ranma 1/2” with this cast again! I’m grateful to all the fans who waited for me and the staff who gave me this opportunity! I wanted to express my joy and gratitude to them immediately, but I can finally report it! Ranma is my roots! I will treasure every moment I play Ranma, and I will play with the resolve that my voice acting career will begin and end with Ranma! Comment from Megumi Hayashibara (Ranma) 35 years ago.
When the cast was announced, I was still a newcomer, and I received many fan letters complaining, saying things like, “Who are you?” and “Get off the show right away!”. About three months after the show aired, I received many letters of apology saying things like, “It’s perfect for you,” “It’s funny,” and so on. Now, we live in the age of SNS.
There will be a lot of complaints and pros and cons flying around (laughs). “Bring it on. I’ll beat you all to a pulp!” the red pigtails are saying in my head. “Calm down, Ranma…” Studio! It’s so much fun.
Comment from Hidaka Noriko (voice of Tendo Akane): I can’t believe I’ll be able to participate in “Ranma 1/2” once again as Akane! I’m incredibly happy to make this announcement in this milestone year, marking my 40th year as a voice actress.
As this will be a completely new production starting from the first episode, I will do my best to fully express the charm of the original work together with the cast, who have teamwork like family. Whether you’ve loved “Ranma 1/2” up until now or are watching it for the first time, please look forward to it!
