Cast members for live-action drama “Ranma 1/2″ announced

Takahashi Rumiko’s popular manga series, “Ranma 1/2“, would be getting a special live-action drama adaptation starring actress Aragaki Yui.

The original “Ranma 1/2″ series depicts the story of a young boy named ‘Ranma’, who transforms into a girl after being splashed with cold water. The special drama will be an original story based on Ranma’s fiancee, ‘Tendo Akane’.

“Ranma 1/2″ was created by Takahashi Rumiko and ran from 1987 to 1996 through ‘Weekly Shonen Sunday’. It tells the story about a young boy named ‘Saotome Ranma’ who transforms into a girl when he gets splashed with cold water.

In this special drama, the plot will exhibit elements from the original storyline, such as Akane’s discord with her father when he suddenly determines Ranma to be her fiancee, as well as Ranma’s various scuffles with enemies during his mission to find the hot spring that will cure his condition.

Aragaki Yui as Akane

Aragaki will play ‘Tendo Akane’, a strong-minded high school girl with fierce martial arts abilities, which she occasionally uses on her fiancee, Ranma. She will be playing opposite to Kaku Kento and Natsuna, who will both portray ‘Saotome Ranma’.

Aragaki commented, “I’ve dreamed about jumping into the ‘Ranma 1/2′ world when I was small, that’s how much I loved the manga. I’m surprised that I’m able to do so after all these years. Although I’m truly happy about it, I’m truthfully scared at the same time because it seems very difficult to make it into a live-action show. I will aim to make this drama satisfying for the fans of the manga, including myself. I also hope that I will be able to enjoy acting. I will do my best.”

Kaku Kento as Male Ranma

Natsuna as Female Ranma

As for the characters, Hasegawa Kyoko will play Akane’s older sister, ‘Tendo Kasumi’, and Namase Katsuhisa will appear as Akane’s father, ‘Tendo Soun’. Meanwhile, Akane’s first love ‘Ono Tofu’ will be portrayed by Tanihara Shosuke, and Furuta Arata will play the role of Ranma’s father, ‘Saotome Genma’.

Nagayama Kento, Nishiyama Maki, Kanai Yuta, and Tayama Ryosei have been added to the cast!

Nagayama will play the role of Ranma’s rival ‘Kuno Tatewaki’, while Nishiyama will play Akane’s elder sister ‘Nabiki’. Kanai has been chosen for the role of ‘Gosunkugi Hikaru’, and Tayama will play the drama’s original character as a villian.

The 2-hour special drama will air in December on NTV.

Source: TokyoHive