Rumiko Takahashi and Yui Aragaki Reunite after 14 Years for Their First Ranma 1/2 Conversation, Sharing Untold Live Action Stories including a 25 Centimeter Haircut and Childhood Fan Works

The TV anime Ranma 1/2 Season 2 begins airing on Nippon TV from October 4 at 12:55 a.m. every Sunday in Japan. ORICON NEWS brought together original creator Rumiko Takahashi and Yui Aragaki, who played Akane Tendo in the 2011 live action drama, for an exclusive interview. Surprisingly, this was their first conversation and their first face to face meeting in 14 years. They traded behind the scenes stories from the drama set and the manga’s creation, and at one point an all in Ranma 1/2 loving Aragaki turned reporter to ask Takahashi questions, drawing out rare episodes.

Ranma 1/2 follows high schooler Ranma Saotome, who transforms into a girl upon contact with cold water, and his fiancée Akane Tendo in a daily life of martial arts comedy and romance that pulls in everyone around them. The manga ran in Weekly Shonen Sunday from 1987 to 1996, and the TV anime aired from 1989 to 1992. The story then expanded with theatrical features and OVAs, and a fully new anime Season 1 aired from October to December 2024.

First Impressions from Long Ago

――It seems your first meeting was on the set of the 2011 Nippon TV live action drama Ranma 1/2. Is today your first time face to face since then?

Aragaki:
It has been 14 years since filming. I was twenty three then, and now I am thirty seven in a blink.

Takahashi:
You have not changed at all.

Aragaki:
No no. You have not changed either.

――Do you remember your first impressions of each other?

Aragaki:
I was so nervous that I was stiff as a board. You were warm and cheerful. You watched the shoot with a smile and took photos with us, which made me very happy. I had not expected you to visit the set, and I could not even imagine I would have the chance to meet you.

――Takahashi sensei, do you have a memory from that first meeting with Aragaki san?

Takahashi:
I remember she cut her hair for the role, and I was surprised and asked if that was really okay. When I saw her on set she looked very cute. I also remember she happened to be eating a hamburger bento.

――That left a mark then?

Takahashi:
I felt sorry to bother her while she was eating. She moved the bento aside and spoke with me for a long time, which I still feel sorry about. I felt her kindness.

――Had you watched any of Aragaki san’s works before meeting?

Takahashi:
I knew her from magazine gravure features, and I have a signed photo book from her. By the time she appeared in Ranma 1 2 her name already resonated widely. I especially watched My Boss My Hero and thought there was such a cute girl.

Aragaki:
I am happy to know you knew me.

――Did you exchange contact information at the time?

Takahashi:
We did not.

Aragaki:
I thought we would never meet again.

The Live Action Role and a Twenty Five Centimeter Haircut

――Today is a long hoped for reunion. Back then you cut twenty five centimeters of hair for the role, which became a talking point. Did that passion come from a deep attachment to Ranma 1/2?

Aragaki:
Akane’s haircut scene is very important, and I think Akane is complete only after she cuts her hair. If I was to play her, I felt it was essential. Live action is very challenging, but I at least wanted to get closer in appearance even a little.

――Looking back now on playing Akane?

Aragaki:
It was very difficult. I had done a few live action adaptations before, but I never dreamed I would act in a live action version of a manga I adored since childhood. There are many passionate original fans, and I worried that I might not be up to it, even as I was thrilled because I love the work myself. That made me set the bar very high for myself. During filming I never felt completely satisfied. I did everything I could at the time, but to be honest I still feel frustrated when I think back.

――If a new live action offer came now, would you take part?

Aragaki:
I would be very happy to receive such an offer. But I might suffer again because I love it too much. If someone else were to play her I would surely feel lonely. It is hard to decide.

――Your love and respect for the work really come through?

Takahashi:
I am very happy.

Aragaki:
Did you watch the drama?

Takahashi:
Without question, yes.

――We would love to hear your thoughts?

Takahashi:
I enjoyed it. Kento Kaku played Ranma male, Natsuna played Ranma female, and Arata Furuta played the father Genma. It was a luxurious cast.

――The drama also developed original storylines, so you saw a slightly different Ranma 1 2

Takahashi:
Yes. I wanted them to enjoy making it as a drama, and I am glad I could enjoy it too.

Source : ORICON NEWS