Ranma 1/2 Season 2 Anime Debuts October 4th with New Theme Songs

Anime News: Ranma 1/2 Returns to Mainstream TV with Season 2

Fans of the renowned manga and classic anime series have reason to celebrate. The official site for Rumiko Takahashi’s iconic series “Ranma 1/2” has confirmed the second season’s premiere date and fresh theme songs. Mark your calendars: October 4th is the day to tune in.

Kicking off the new season, the band Wednesday Campanella will perform the opening theme song “Wo Aini,” while Nishina will take charge of the ending theme song, Panda Girl. The new season will air on NHK starting October 4 at 24:55 (which is effectively October 5 in the midnight hours). Netflix subscribers can stream the series after it broadcasts on television.

For those eager to revisit the first season’s highlights, the website now hosts a digest video summing up key moments. Watching this will provide a neat segue into new story arcs and ensure viewers are up to speed with the returning characters and the context of upcoming episodes.

The second season will see the return of beloved voice talents. Notable among them is Toshihiko Seki, who reprised the role of Mousse after an impressive three-decade hiatus. The new cast members also include standout performances from:

1. Kaori Nazuka as the energetic Ukyo Kuonji.
2. Kazuhiko Inoue as Happosai, whose trolling requires exceptional voice work.
3. Ako Mayama delivers a compelling performance as the wise, no-nonsense Cologne.
4. Akira Ishida joins the cast to voice the devious Hikaru Gosunkugi.

The production crew largely remains the same, with a few welcome additions to ensure the artistic continuity and high-quality execution seen in the first season. Most notable among these is Kōsuke Kawamura’s role as a key animation director and Ryūta Hayashi’s assistance in the art direction, working alongside Chihiro Kawamura to ensure visual consistency and flair throughout the episodes.

The show’s first season enjoyed a nationwide rollout in Japan last October and was available for exclusive streaming on Netflix thereafter. For animation enthusiasts, this revival is much more than a nostalgic return to form. It’s a testament to “Ranma 1/2” enduring appeal, which transcends the generational divide. Both newcomers and long-time fans can look forward to another thrilling chapter in the lives of Ranma Saotome and his numerous gang plasma friends—and enemies.

Watch the digest for Season 1 in the YouTube embed below:

In the original adaptation, Kobayashi’s Koosuke Uda was the mastermind behind the first season’s direction. Kimiko Ueno handled scripts, while Hiromi Taniguchi crafted the familiar and iconic characters. This season promises an exciting blend of old and new, leveraging the experiences of skilled veterans and the enthusiasm of fresh talent.

News Source: Animenewsnetwork.com