Comments from Akira Ishida, Kazuhiko Inoue, and Ako Mayama on "Ranma 1/2" released

It has been announced that the second season of the "completely new anime" based on Rumiko Takahashi's hit manga "Ranma 1/2" will begin airing on Nippon Television every Saturday at 12:55 a.m. starting October 4th. Akira Ishida, who plays Gosukugi Hikaru, Kazuhiko Inoue, who plays Happosai, and Ako Mayama, who plays Colon, who will appear in the second season, have all provided comments. The series was originally broadcast as a TV anime from 1989 to 1992, and this will be the first time it has been adapted into a TV anime in approximately 32 years. The first season aired on Nippon Television from October to December 2024.

Ishida commented, "No explanation is needed for longtime fans, but even in a series filled with strong characters, I think the uniqueness of Gosunkugi Hikaru, who appears timid at first glance but has an extraordinary ability to take action towards Akane, is undeniable. I hope you will enjoy this season as well, as they are resurrected in the 21st century and the ridiculous events that unfold."

Inoue said, "I have been given the opportunity to play the role of Happosai. Happosai is a role that was played by my mentor, Nagai Ichiro. The image of Nagai playing Happosai is still firmly etched in my mind. I am honored. I am truly happy. I would like to carry on Nagai's spirit and do my best to play the role to the fullest in my own way as Inoue Kazuhiko. I hope you will all support me."

Mayama said, "I'm Mayama Ako, who will be appearing as Colon from the second season. The other day I met S-san at work and he suddenly said to me, 'The first time I met Ako-san was in Ranma 1/2', which surprised me! I had completely forgotten about it. Apparently I played a female student. I think I was so nervous that I didn't remember anything. Now my connections have come to fruition!!! I'm grateful. It's a set full of legends. It's great to be working with them. Please look forward to it from October."

The theme song artists for the second season were also announced, with the music unit Wednesday Campanella performing the opening theme "Wo Ai Ni" and musician Nishina performing the ending theme "Panda Girl."

A digest movie of the first season has been released on YouTube ahead of the broadcast of the second season. It features newly recorded narration by Kappei Yamaguchi, played by Ranma Saotome, and Ranma, played by Megumi Hayashibara . A special advance screening will be held at United Cinema Toyosu (Koto Ward, Tokyo) on October 4th, when the second season begins airing. Yamaguchi and Noriko Hidaka , who plays Akane Tendo , will be in attendance.

"Ranma ½" was serialized in the manga magazine "Weekly Shonen Sunday" (Shogakukan) from 1987 to 1996 by Takahashi, who is also known for " Urusei Yatsura Yatsura" and "Maison Ikkoku." The series depicts the hectic daily life of high school martial artist Ranma Ranma Saotome, who turns into a woman when splashed with water, and his fiancee Akane Akane Tendo. While training in the indiscriminate fighting style with his father, Genma, Ranma, while training in the Chinese Jusenkyo, develops a unique condition that causes him to turn into a woman when splashed with water and revert to a man when splashed with hot water. Upon returning to Japan, Ranma and his son end up staying with Genma's best friend, Soun Tendo, and by chance, he becomes engaged to Soun's daughter, Akane.

◇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: Koichi Yamadera ▽ Shampoo: Rei Sakuma ▽ Mousse: Toshihiko Seki ▽ Ukyo Kuonji: Kaori Tomokazu Sugita ▽ Kodachi Kuno: Ayane Sakura Sakura ▽ Happosai: Kazuhiko Inoue ▽ Cologne: Ako Mayama ▽ Kono Tofu: Toshiyuki Morikawa ▽ Emperor Sanzen'in: Mamoru Miyano ▽ Azusa Shiratori: Aoi Aoi Yuki ▽ Gosunkugihikari: Akira Ishida ▽ Ichiro: Tomokazu Seki ▽ Narration: Kenichi Ogata