The popular character Shampoo will appear in episode 10, "Kiss of Death," of the "completely new anime" of Rumiko Takahashi's smash hit manga "Ranma 1/2." The series was broadcast as a TV anime from 1989 to 1992, and this is the first time it has been adapted for TV in about 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, who plays Ranma, and Hidaka Noriko, who plays Tendo Akane. Sakuma Rei will also be reprising her role as Shampoo.
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 reverts to a man when splashed with hot water. When Ranma returns to Japan, he and his son end up staying at the home of Genma's best friend Tendo Soun, and by chance he becomes engaged to Soun's daughter Akane.
In addition to the theatrical anime, an OVA (original video animation) was also produced. The TV anime aired 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, the first in about 32 years, will be directed by Uda Konosuke, who has worked on "One Piece," among others, and will be produced by MAPPA, who have worked on "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Chainsaw Man." It is currently airing on Nippon TV every Saturday at 12:55 a.m.
