Rumiko Takahashi’s classic manga, Ranma ½, is set for a new anime remake over 30 years after the original series concluded.
This exciting news comes after the successful reboot of another Takahashi creation, Urusei Yatsura. Ranma ½ originally began serialization in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine in August 1987 and continued until March 1996, spanning 407 chapters compiled into 38 volumes.
The manga’s English license is handled by VIZ Media. The story follows martial artist Ranma Saotome and his father, Genma, who fall into cursed springs during a training trip in China.
As a result, Ranma turns into a girl when splashed with cold water, while Genma transforms into a panda.
Their altered forms lead to comedic and chaotic situations, especially at the Tendo dojo, where Ranma is introduced as the fiancé of Akane Tendo, one of Soun Tendo’s three daughters.
Despite their initial reluctance and frequent conflicts, the potential romance between Ranma and Akane provides an ongoing subplot throughout the series.
The original anime adaptation by Studio Deen, which aired from 1989 to 1992, consisted of two series, Ranma ½ and Ranma ½ Nettohen, totaling 161 episodes.
The franchise also produced 12 OVAs, three films, and a live-action TV special in 2011. The upcoming remake promises to bring the beloved characters and their humorous adventures to a new generation of fans, reviving the classic tale with modern animation techniques.
