The eighth episode of the completely new anime version of Takahashi Rumiko's smash hit manga Ranma 1/2, titled My Dear Charlotte, will air on Nippon TV on November 23rd. The TV anime version of the series aired from 1989 to 1992, and this is the first time it has been adapted for TV in 32 years. The new anime is also attracting attention as it will feature the same voice actors as Yamaguchi Kappei, who plays Saotome Ranma, Hayashibara Megumi, and Hidaka Noriko, who plays Tendo Akane.
P-chan is kidnapped at the skating rink. The kidnapper is Shiratori Azusa, one of the golden pair of free skating at Kolkhoz Academy. Azusa challenges Akane to a pair skating contest with P-chan as the prize. Meanwhile, Ranma prevents Azusa's partner, Sanzenin Tei, from kissing Akane. Ranma and Akane train hard to skate in preparation for the contest. Miyano Mamoru will play the role of Emperor Sanzen'in, and Yuki Aoi will play the role of Shiratori Azusa.
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 China, where he is training in Jusenkyo, where he turns into a woman when splashed with water, and reverts to a man when splashed with hot water. 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 networks 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, the first in 32 years, will be directed by Uda Konosuke, who has worked on "One Piece," among others, and will be produced by MAPPA, which has worked on "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Chainsaw Man." It is currently airing on Nippon TV every Saturday at 12:55 a.m.
