The key visual for the "updated version" of the "completely new anime" of Rumiko Takahashi's smash hit manga "Ranma 1/2" has been released. In episode 4, Akane gets caught up in a fight between Ranma and Ryoga and has her hair cut, and in episode 5, she goes from long hair to short hair. In the "updated version" released, Akane also has short hair. A non-credit ending (Akane short hair version) featuring Akane with short hair has also been released on YouTube.
The TV anime version of the series aired from 1989 to 1992, and this is the first time it has been made into a TV anime in about 32 years. The new anime is also attracting attention as it will feature the same voice actors as Yamaguchi Kappei as Saotome Ranma, Hayashibara Megumi as Ranma, and Hidaka Noriko as Tendo Akane.
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 constitution in China, where he trains in Jusenkyo, where he turns into a woman when splashed with water and turns back into a man when splashed with hot water. When Ranma returns to Japan, he and Genma's best friend Tendo Soun stay with him and his son, and by chance, he becomes engaged to Soun's daughter Akane.
The new anime, the first in about 32 years, is directed by Uda Konosuke, who has worked on One Piece and other works, and is produced by MAPPA, which has worked on Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. It airs every Saturday at 12:55 a.m. on Nippon TV.
