Event report on the big presentation of the completely new anime “Ranma 1/2”.
A major presentation of a completely new anime of Rumiko Takahashi’s manga 『Ranma 1/2』 was held on July 17, 2024.
This article reports on the event.
『Ranma 1/2』was serialized in 『Weekly Shōnen Sunday』 from 1987 #36 to 1996 #12 and remains an enormously popular masterpiece.
Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendou, the third daughter of Tendou Dojo, are married by their parents. However, Ranma has a problem!
During his training in China, he fell into the legendary training ground “Jusenkyo,” and became a woman when exposed to water, and a man when exposed to hot water. Ranma, Akane, and a cast of unique characters return in a completely new anime version of this unrivaled fighting romantic comedy.
At the big presentation, the anime production company, broadcast station and air date, as well as the voice actors and the artist in charge of the OP theme song were announced. MAPPA will be in charge of animation production and Kounosuke Uda will direct. Broadcasting will begin on October 5, 2024 on NTV. Immediately after the broadcast, it will be distributed exclusively on Netflix.
The voice actors in the film are,
- Kappei Yamaguchi as Ranma Saotome
- Megumi Hayashibara as Ranma
- Noriko Hidaka as Akane Tendou
- Minami Takayama as Nabiki Tendou
- Kikuko Inoue as Kasumi Tendou
etc. Many of the voice actors who appeared in previous anime adaptations will once again play the characters.
Yamaguchi, Hayashibara, Hidaka, and director Uda took the stage to talk at this major presentation. Yamaguchi couldn’t contain his excitement, “I’ve been waiting for this day to come! he said, unable to contain his excitement. Hayashibara continued, “I’m doing my best in postrecording,” and Hidaka expressed his joy, saying, “I’m happy to be standing on this stage with Megu and Kappei-kun.
When the director first heard about this film, he could not believe it. On stage, he candidly expressed his feelings, saying that he was surprised and deeply moved that he would be working on a film that he had been passionate about as a student.
As the conversation progressed, Hidaka recalled that he “really enjoyed the postrecording at the time” and said that he thought, “If I could do it again, there would be no reward like this. On the other hand, she also expressed her feelings about playing the role again, saying, “I was wondering if it would be okay for me to play the role again,” to which everyone nodded in agreement. However, Yamaguchi said that she thought she might be able to do Hayashibara’s then-extruded Ranma now, and emphasized that “there is a 『Ranma 1/2』 that can be shown only now,” including the play itself.
At the big presentation, it was also announced that the artist who will sing the OP theme song will be ano. ano commented that when he read the original story, he was impressed by the richness of the characters and the novelty of the setting. He also expressed his feelings when the decision was made, saying, “I think this work has been loved for many years, so I am honored to be able to sing the OP theme song.
At the big presentation, Rumiko Takahashi sent a congratulations card, which was seen by the speakers. Hidaka’s happy voice said, “P-chan is drawn on it too!” It was just like Akane from the anime 『Ranma 1/2』 that I used to watch during summer vacation reruns when I was a child.
At the end of the presentation, each gave a speech. The speakers left the stage with smiles on their faces.
Speakers’ Greetings (excerpts)
ANO “I hope that even young people who have never read the original work will find it interesting because of the anime, and I love it too, so I look forward to the anime reaching you all.”
Genma Saotome (panda) “Shit, pandas can’t talk.”
Uda: “The staff is enjoying making this animation even though they are suffering. Uda: “The staff is having a lot of fun making it while suffering. I hope the viewers will also enjoy it while suffering (laughs).
Hidaka: “Ano-chan has brought the wind of 2021 into our lives, which has given us more and more energy, and we will do our best in postrecording from now on. Please look forward to it.
Hayashibara: “We hear words like ‘AI’ here and there in the world, but I would like to say it is the fundamental power of human beings. I think there is a meaning in the fact that the show is full of human power, and in the midst of that power, there are things that are exciting, exciting, funny, and very interesting that can be shared with anyone.
Yamaguchi: “Thank you for waiting for me, everyone! Now, it’s time for an extension! So, please enjoy it.
