Ranma 1/2：First new TV anime in 32 years: Sugita Tomokazu plays Kunou Tatewaki; Sakura Ayane, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Miyano Mamoru, and Yuki Aoi also appear

Additional cast members for the completely new anime adaptation of Takahashi Rumiko's hit manga Ranma 1/2 have been announced, including Sugita Tomokazu as Kuno Tatewaki. The TV anime adaptation of the series aired from 1989 to 1992, and this will be the first time it has been adapted for TV in 32 years. Kuno Tatewaki is a popular character who was previously played by the late Suzuoki Hirotaka and Tsujitani Kouji. Sugita commented, "I'm not playing him as a weirdo or eccentric, but as a pure being in all things. I hope to add a straightforward color to the work, like a thunderbolt falling from the heavens. I look forward to playing him. The game I've played the most is Bakuretsu Rantou-hen."

Also announced will be Sakura Ayane as Kuno Kodachi, Morikawa Toshiyuki as Ono Tofu, Miyano Mamoru as Sanzenin Tei, and Yuki Aoi as Shiratori Azusa.

Sakura said, "Being involved with Ranma 1/2...? I feel like my life has become one that I can't even comprehend. I hope to carry on the soul of Kodachi, who has been loved for so long, with all my heart and soul. The set is very warm and stimulating. I will never forget when my senior said to me, 'Let off some steam here and then go home.' It was my signal to release the limiter that had been putting on me because of my tension. I hope that both old and new fans will enjoy it. I hope you will all enjoy the new Ranma."

Morikawa commented, "I am Morikawa Tomoyuki, who will be playing the role of Kofu-sensei. I am very honored to be involved with Rumiko-sensei's work again after such a long time. I would be happy if I can express Kofu's elusive and carefree feeling well (laughs). Ah, Kasumi-san... I am excitedly waiting to meet you!!"

Miyano commented, "I never thought that Ranma 1/2 would return as a new work in the Reiwa era, so it was a huge shock! I loved the anime so much back then, and even bought the theme song CD (laughs). I never thought I'd get to appear in Ranma... it feels like a dream. Recordings have already begun, and it's a joy for my ears and my heart to hear that voice flying around, just as it was back then. I'm doing my best to portray the eccentric character of Emperor Sanzen'in in this world, so please look forward to it!" Yuki said, "I never thought the day would come when I'd be able to participate as a cast member in Ranma 1/2, so I'm really happy. I turned all the joy and excitement of standing in front of the microphone with all the legends into energy, and did my best to play the cute, violent, selfish, and mysterious Azusa! I hope you'll all enjoy it." Ranma 1/2 was serialized in the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Sunday (Shogakukan) from 1987 to 1996 by Takahashi, who is also known for Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku. It depicts the hectic daily life of high school martial artist Saotome Ranma, who turns into a woman when splashed with water, and his fiancee Tendo Akane. While training in the indiscriminate fighting style with his father Genma, Ranma develops a unique condition in which he turns into a woman when splashed with water and reverts to a man when splashed with hot water in China. When Ranma returns to Japan, he and his son end up staying with Genma's best friend Tendo Soun, and by chance he becomes engaged to Soun's daughter Akane.

In addition to the theatrical anime version, an original video animation (OVA) was also produced. A TV anime series was broadcast on Fuji TV and other stations from 1989 to 1992, and a live-action TV drama starring Aragaki Yui, Kaku Kento, and Natsuna aired in December 2011, which also garnered attention.

The new anime will feature the same voice actors as before, including Yamaguchi Kappei as Saotome Ranma, Hayashibara Megumi as Ranma, and Hidaka Noriko as Tendo Akane. It will be directed by Uda Konosuke, who has worked on "One Piece," among others, and the anime will be produced by MAPPA, which has also worked on "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Chainsaw Man." It will air on Nippon TV every Saturday at 12:55 a.m. starting from October 5th.

◇Cast (titles omitted)

　Ranma Saotome: Kappei Yamaguchi▽Ranma: Megumi Hayashibara▽Akane Tendo: Noriko Hidaka▽Nabiki Tendo: Minami Takayama▽Kasumi Tendo: Kikuko Inoue▽Soun Tendo: Akio Otsuka▽Genma Saotome: Cho▽Ryoga Hibiki: Kouichi Yamadera▽Shampoo: Rei Sakuma▽Tateto Kuno: Tomokazu Sugita▽Kodachi Kuno: Ayane Sakura▽Kono Tofu: Toshiyuki Morikawa▽Tei Sanzenin: Mamoru Miyano▽Azusa Shiratori: Aoi Yuki▽Narration: Kenichi Ogata