A completely new TV anime of the popular manga 'Ranma 1/2' has been announced, set to be produced for the first time in 32 years since 1992. It will air on Nippon TV every Saturday at 24:55 starting October 5th and will be exclusively available on Netflix immediately after broadcast. The main cast has been announced, with Kappei Yamaguchi as Ranma Saotome, Megumi Hayashibara as female Ranma, and Noriko Hidaka as Akane Tendo, all reprising their roles from the 1989 series.

Other cast members include Minami Takayama as Nabiki Tendo, Kikuko Inoue as Kasumi Tendo, Akio Otsuka as Soun Tendo, Chō as Genma Saotome, Kōichi Yamadera as Ryoga Hibiki, Rei Sakuma as Shampoo, and Kenichi Ogata as the narrator. The role of Soun Tendo has transitioned from Ryuunosuke Obayashi to Akio Otsuka, and Genma Saotome has transitioned from Kenichi Ogata to Chō, with the rest of the cast reprising their roles.

The released PV reveals new anime footage for the first time, along with character voices. Fans can hear lines from Ranma Saotome (CV: Kappei Yamaguchi) and female Ranma (CV: Megumi Hayashibara), as well as Akane Tendo (CV: Noriko Hidaka), Genma Saotome (CV: Chō), Soun Tendo (CV: Akio Otsuka), Kasumi Tendo (CV: Kikuko Inoue), and Nabiki Tendo (CV: Minami Takayama).

The animation is produced by MAPPA, with Konosuke Uda of 'ONE PIECE' and 'DAYS' fame directing, Kimiko Ueno of 'Delicious in Dungeon' and 'Uchitama?! Have you seen my Tama?' handling series composition, and Hiromi Taniguchi of 'Jellyfish Restaurant' and 'Punch Line' in charge of character design.

'Ranma 1/2' is a martial arts romantic comedy about high schooler Ranma Saotome, who turns into a girl when splashed with cold water, and his fiancée Akane Tendo. The popular manga by Rumiko Takahashi was serialized in 'Weekly Shonen Sunday' from 1987 to 1996 and aired as a TV anime from 1989 to 1992. It was also adapted into movies and OVAs, and in 2011, a live-action drama starring Yui Aragaki (as Akane) was produced.

Source : ORICON NEWS