Why was “Ranma 1/2” so popular? Explaining the festive mood felt by the generation that watched it in real time! The Saotome style of indiscriminate fighting returns to the Reiwa era!With the start of the Reiwa era, many popular anime works have been remade into anime one after another. Among them, the one that has been the most talked about recently is probably “Ranma 1/2.”

It’s been 37 years since the manga was serialized, and 35 years since it was first made into an anime. What is the reason for its popularity that has made it such a hot topic even after so much time has passed? Let’s unravel the reasons for its popularity before the new anime airs!

It was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday from 1987 to 1996. It was also adapted into an anime, a movie, an OVA, and a live-action drama. It is one of the masterpieces of the original author, Rumiko Takahashi.

One day, Akane Tendo’s father suddenly decides on a fiance for her. However, her fiance, Ranma Saotome, has a unique constitution that causes him to transform into a woman when splashed with water! This is an action-packed romantic comedy that depicts romance, martial arts, and the chaotic daily life of Ranma as he transforms!

Do you know the term “Rumiko World”?

Rumiko World is the name of a series of works by manga artist Rumiko Takahashi, and represents a collection of works across a wide range of genres, including comedy, love stories, battles, and horror.

The great thing about Rumiko Takahashi’s work is that it is entertaining for all generations, from adults to children. I think the appeal of Rumiko World is that none of her works feel outdated.

And I’m sure there are many people who are fascinated by Rumiko’s world!

Besides “Ranma 1/2,” Rumiko Takahashi’s other works include “Urusei Yatsura” and “Maison Ikkoku,” both of which have been made into anime, and “Urusei Yatsura” was also re-made into anime in the Reiwa era, causing a big stir.

Some people may have learned about “Ranma 1/2” from the currently serialized “MAO.” Even if they are not familiar with her past works, I think there are still an increasing number of people who have become fascinated by Rumiko Takahashi’s world through her currently serialized works.

Speaking of “Ranma 1/2,” the setting in which the character transforms when splashed with water was extremely innovative.

Up until then, transformation works typically featured characters transforming into magical girls in works aimed at girls, and characters transforming into righteous heroes in works aimed at boys.

However, in “Ranma 1/2,” the protagonist can become either male or female, a setting never seen before. Other characters can also transform into various things, such as a panda, a cat, or a piglet. The reason they were able to transform is because they “fell into a pond.”

Just this setting is already interesting!

What I find interesting about Ranma is that he uses his transformation to his advantage. Of course, all the characters want to go back to being normal humans, but there are some characters who see the benefits of becoming an animal, such as Ranma transforming into a woman to disrupt Akane’s date, his father Genma transforming into a panda when things get inconvenient and pretending he can’t speak or working in that form, and Ranma’s rival Ryoga transforming into a piglet and sticking to Akane.

I felt that by accepting the character’s tendency to change without becoming pessimistic, I was able to enjoy the work.

Another interesting point is that the main character can be either male or female. In his original male form, Ranma is handsome, good at fighting, and popular with women, while after transforming, Ranma is a small, cute girl with a nice body, and popular with men.

I’m sure there were many men who fell in love with Female Ranma and many women who fell in love with Male Ranma! I think one of the reasons for its popularity is that it doesn’t discriminate against anyone.