It’s finally time to start my Anime NYC 2024 recap! It’s been two weeks since Anime NYC but it was such a busy weekend, there was so much to recover from. But now I’m ready to dive in! The first thing on my list to discuss is the exclusive World Premiere of RANMA ½!
Getting Into Ranma ½
A little-known fact about me is that Ranma ½ is one of the first manga I ever read. I discovered it in 2003 at my local library. It was next to Inuyasha, which was an anime I had just watched a few weeks ago. I don’t remember what I read from Ranma ½, but I sat in the teen section devouring what I could.
As I grew older, Inuyasha eclipsed my heart so I forgot about Ranma ½ . I wasn’t even aware that there was an anime for it until a few years ago. Nevertheless, I was super excited when I learned that the anime was being rebooted.
About Ranma ½
For the uninitiated – don’t worry, I got you. Ranma ½ was written and illustrated by the incredible Rumiko Takahashi. She is one of the most prolific mangakas of all time, known for Urusei Ytasura, Maison Ikkoku, Inuyasha, and many more.
Takahashi created Ranma ½ in 1987 and was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday until 1996. The anime was produced by Studio DEEN (Sasaki and Miyano, Yakuza Fiancé) and it aired from 1989 to 1992. There were also a few movies and OVAs. The new adaptation is produced by Studio MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuri on Ice) and will feature some of the original voice cast. Ranma ½ will stream on Netflix starting on October 5 with new episodes released weekly.
The First Episode
Having been more than 20 years since I first read Ranma ½, I had no idea what to expect from the first episode. I don’t remember how the manga started and since I didn’t watch the anime, this was a new story for me. What first caught my attention as the anime started playing across the huge screens was how beautiful the animation looked. MAPPA is known for its stunning visuals, but there is something different about Ranma.
Immediately you can see that it is animated in that classic 90s style many were introduced to anime with. Yet instead of the grainy look and feel of our classics, it is vibrant and full of life. Not only was the look incredible, in combination with the soundtrack, it just felt so nostalgic. I knew then that this adaption was in good hands.
On top of the polished old but new look, the story itself still feels very reminiscent of the time it was created. Ranma and his father fight in the street in their girl and panda forms respectively, while Akane’s dad and her sisters discuss Ranma’s pending arrival. Once everyone meets and the gag is revealed, comedy ensues. Ranma and Akane witness each other naked in both Ranma’s female and male form. The word perv is thrown around and they bicker almost the entire episode.
Something for the Old, Something for the New
For older fans of Ranma or just anime in general, this style of comedy isn’t new. And while I’m sure it can be found in newer media, there is just something special about how it was done in the 90s. The jokes felt organic and not overdone. I’m excited to see a new generation encounter this style of comedy and I hope they can appreciate it.
Overall, this new episode energized me. It made me want to pick a 90s anime to binge until Ranma ½ is available. As a newcomer, I can’t speak to whether I think this new anime will do the manga or original anime justice. However, I can attest to the fact that is visually and sonically stunning. The charm of the 90s is all over this and you can tell a lot of heart has gone into preserving what makes Ranma ½ so special. I am excited to see what happens next!
Look at this cute document protector we got from attending the premiere!
I am so excited to see this! I remember watching the anime years ago, when I first got into anime, and I thought it was hilarious. I can’t wait to see it with new, cleaning animation. Wow, it’s amazing that they have some of the original cast in the new version. As people age their voice naturally changes a bit, and the original cast has had decades for their voices to grow and change!