Popular Anime Watching Guide Cherry Blossom Viewing Guide

Translated by: Dylan Acres

Even before the cherry blossom front moves north this spring’s TV anime is in full bloom! We’ll give you our predictions on the best spots to see and where they’ll bloom.

The eccentric character Happosai has risen to prominence, and the chaos surrounding Ranma and Akane is only escalating. It looks like the show is getting more and more interesting, so we asked producer Yoko Matsushita about what to watch this spring. ^[1]

Even though their parents have decided, Ranma and Akane are still not sure about it. However, in the 21st episode scheduled to air in late March, a decisive moment will come for the two in the high school drama competition, where our school, Furinkan High School, will participate with the masterpiece "Romeo and Juliet." ^[2] Ranma and Akane will appear in this. "If successful the play will be held in China, and Ranma, who can only to break his curse in China, decides to play the role of Romeo in that play. Meanwhile, Akane will participate because it has been her childhood dream to play Juliet. However, since there is a kissing scene with Akane as Juliet, Happosai and Kuno also decide to play the role of Romeo, and a battle between the three Romeos, including Ranma, will unfold during the performance." After much debate, it is Ranma who ends up having the kissing scene with Akane. This is the decisive moment. Even though it is just a play, it is the first time the two share a kiss! "But in the end, it's through duct tape."

Don't think that Akane just puts duct tape on Ranma's lips to make it look like they're really together. This alone is a big step forward for the two of them. It may not be what they want, but it's a must-see!

Huh? Ranma and Akane's first kiss!!

Will the cherry blossom season's love story begin with the arrival of Ukyo!?

Ranma and Akane are not doing so well even when they are alone. On top of that, Ranma has Shampoo and Kodachi, Akane has Kuno, and with P-chan following her around, the situation is only getting more complicated. To make matters worse, it seems that in the 23 episode, it will be discovered that Ranma has someone else besides Akane, and that person's name is Ukyo. A girl whose hobby is grilling okonomiyaki, Ukyo will transfer to Ranma's school for reasons that are initially unclear. Ukyo's goal is to reunite with the father and son pair of Genma and Ranma. Ukyo and Ranma are childhood friends. So why does she hold a grudge against Ranma? It's because Genma sided with Ukyo's father. That's where it all began. Genma stole the Kuonji's food cart and didn't take Ukyo with them. It's only natural that Ukyo would feel betrayed and abandoned." Poor Ranma had no idea that anything like that had happened. Meanwhile, what will happen to Akane now that she has someone that could possibly be considered her strongest rival? "At first, Akane doesn't know that Ukyo is a woman, just like Ranma. When Akane finds out that Ukyo is a woman and Ranma's childhood friend, she is surprised, but at the same time, she has complicated feelings towards Ranma, regardless of Ukyo. Considering the situation, Akane and Ranma respond that it was a decision made by their parents. It will be interesting to see how Akane and Ranma end up together.

Kodachi Intrudes and Happosai Goes Wild!!

Kodachi Kuno, the Black Rose, makes her first appearance in a long time in episode 19. Kodachi, who loves Ranma, comes to Furinkan High School with cookies she made for Ranma. However, Akane is also baking cookies, so things get complicated. "Kodachi snatches Akane's cookies, and when she tries to take them, she gets into a scuffle with Ranma and Akane. With just this photo, it looks like the two of them are embracing each other," Looking at the photo, Ranma heads to the Kuno house to get rid of the evidence. "Akane, who doesn't know, is annoyed that Ranma is going out of his way to go to Kodachi's house." It looks like more turmoil is about to occur between Ranma and Akane. Also, Happosai, a martial arts master and a perverted old man who came to live with the Tendo family, escalates things. "In the 20th episode, Ranma comes up with a plan to get rid of Happosai, who won't leave Soun's house. He puts a woman repellant on Happosai, and it becomes a big fuss so that women won't come near him. In the 22nd episode, the household bath is broken, so Happosai goes to the public bath. Happosai immediately tries all sorts of things to get into the women's bath... It's going to be a crazy mess with Ranma and Akane involved." With the power-up of the new supporting characters, there will be plenty to look forward to in the future.

Ukyo Kuonji: With a spatulas adorning her chest, she says she has been training in making okonomiyaki since she was a child. Ukyo is a passionate, or should I say, incomprehensible girl. But that's still a hot topic...!?!

■Cherry Blossom Viewing is even more delicious!!

Will Ryoga be able to make his love for Akane blossom and leave his rival Ranma behind?

Children's column: Akane and Ranma are on the same page!! Is Ranma's love the other way around?? Ukyo, anticipating that Akane and Ranma are not a good match, plots to lure Akane away from Ranma as early as episode 24. She tempts Akane to fall in love with Ryoga, and sets up a date for the two of them. Ukyo wants to create a coupledom with Ranma in one fell swoop. What will the outcome be...? By the way, Tsubasa, the boy who has feelings for Ukyo who has already appeared in the original manga, will not appear in the anime for a while yet. "Techniques" of "Ukyo" "Also, there are various ideas for enriching the supporting characters and escalating the gags and action, so there's plenty of fun to be had!

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Footnotes

• [1] Yoko Matsushita (松下洋子) became a producer on Ranma 1/2 when the series transitioned into its Ranma 1/2 Nettohen phase. For Kitty Film she also produced Maison Ikkoku Kanketsuhen and Urusei Yatsura Movie 5: The Final Chapter.
• [2] While Ranma 1/2 Nettohen 21st episode was originally scheduled to air in late March 1990, the series takes a week off after episode 20, which pushes the 21st episode to air on April 6th, 1990 instead.

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