The hype is building for the return of Ranma 1/2, Rumiko Takahashi’s classic rom-com. Much of the cast from the 1989 anime adaptation will be returning, but today we’re getting some fresh blood. Five modern voice actors step into five classic roles!
First up is Tatewaki Kuno, the kendo-loving second year who hates Ranma Saotome but has a crush on a certain pigtailed girl. Kuno will now be voiced by Tomokazu Sugita (Skeptic in My Hero Academia).
Playing Kodachi, the Kuno sibling who vies for boy-type Ranma’s affection, will be Ayane Sakura (Yotsuba Nakano in The Quintessential Quintuplets):
Taking over as Tofu Ono, a.k.a. Tofu-sensei, will be Toshiyuki Morikawa (the voice of Leon Kennedy in both games and films):
Finally, at least for now, are the ice-skating pair of Mikado Sanzenin (voiced by Mamoru Miyano) and Azusa Shiratori (voiced by Aoi Yuki). These new additions haven’t strayed far from the Rumic World, as both appeared in the 2022 adaptation of Urusei Yatsura as well. Miyano appeared as love rival Shutaro Mendo, while Yuki played the tiny alien Ten.
These new additions will join a cast featuring both new and returning voice actors:
Ranma Saotome voiced by Kappei Yamaguchi
Ranma voiced by Megumi Hayashibara
Akane Tendo voiced by Noriko Hidaka
Nabiki Tendo voiced by Minami Takayama
Kasumi Tendo voiced by Kikuko Inoue
Soun Tendo voiced by Akio Otsuka
Genma Saotome voiced by Cho
Ryoga Hibiki voiced by Koichi Yamadera
Shampoo voiced by Rei Sakuma
Narrator voiced by Kenichi Ogata
Early One Piece anime director Konosuke Uda is directing Ranma 1/2 at MAPPA with series composition written by Kimiko Ueno (Delicious in Dungeon), character designs by Hiromi Taniguchi (FLCL Alternative costume designer) and music from Kaoru Wada (Inuyasha).
Ranma 1/2 premieres on Japanese TV on October 5 at 24:55, effectively 12:55 AM on October 6 with Netflix set to stream episodes immediately after broadcast. MAPPA describes the series as such:
Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo of Tendo Dojo are betrothed to each other by their parents. But Ranma faces a unique problem…
Ever since he fell into the cursed springs of Jusenkyo while training in China, his body has acquired the peculiar trait of transforming into a girl when doused with cold water and reverting to a boy with hot water.
Get ready for the slapstick, action-packed rom com featuring Ranma, Akane, and a vibrant cast of unique characters!
Source: Comic Natalie
