Ranma 1/2 OVA 2008- Akumu! Shumin Kou!

Happy Chinese New Year to those who celebrate it today! I happen to watch this OVA of Ranma 1/2 which I didn't know it was out for 2 years! Anyway it is like seeing old friends again during the screening. Basically it is for Shouen Sunday 50 years anniversary which Takahashi Rumiko's 3 works-Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura and Inuyasha were given 3 OVA to commemorate the anniversary.

Ranma 1/2 is the works that I am most familiar with so I am going to review this OVA.

The story is basically like an episode from the TV series. Happosai created a incense that can make people sleep till the end of Spring. He tried to use it on Ranma after he foiled his plans but instead Akane caught it and fell into a deep sleep. Akane began to have nightmares and dreams but in reality, she become a sleep walking of destruction-destroying anything in her path. Ranma and friends tried all means to wake her up and all it took was a Good Morning call from Kasumi to wake her up.

Watching it make me feel nostalgic and using new artwork and cells make it more good. The entire cast is back minus Suzuoki Hirotaka who play Kuno Tatewaki which he passed away in 2006. Tsujitani Koji replaced him however he play a less dramatic Kuno and I keep thinking of Miroku of Inuyasha which he is in. Sakuma Rei and Tsuru Hiromi were great reprising their roles as Shampoo and Ukyo who are my favourite heroines in the show. Yamaguchi Kappei and Hayashibara Megumi are still good as both Male and Female Ranma doing what they have been doing in the TV series.

Overall it was fun watching it and ever though Ranma 1/2 ended in 1996. It was the time when Anime are good and even some people will call it a Harem anime by today's standard, it had more to offer it and not every female characters go gaga over Ranma. The show was unique with it's large cast and the point that you can have a male and female character playing the title role make it stand out. I doubt (Hopefully) that Rumiko Sensei will do a sequel given that she is focusing on Rin-En and Inuyasha has become her longest manga up to date. The manga didn't do justice giving an open ending but hopefully she can close the story with a satisfied ending.