2018
January
January 14thSeiyuu's Relationship Announced
Suzuko Mimori, best known as the seiyuu behind the voice of Suzu in Kyokai no RINNE, Sora Takenouchi in Digimon Adventure tri. and Nanasami Momozono in Kamisama Kiss has announced via her Twitter that she is dating famed Japanese professional wrestler and current IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Source: Anime News Network
January 18th
Kyokai no RINNE Volume 40
Rinne quests to save Sakura from the Wheel of Reincarnation in the 40th and final volume of Kyokai no RINNE in stores today. Source: Kyokai no RINNE Complete
Takahashi Nominated for Eisner Hall of Fame
Takahashi has been nominated for the Eisner Aware "Hall of Fame" for the fourth time in recent years. Previous hall of fame mangaka include Katsuhiro Otomo, Osamu Tezuka and Takahashi's mentor Kazuo Koike. The full list of nominees can be found below and includes many iconic international comicbook artists including the creators of Judge Dredd and Dave Gibbons of Watchmen fame. Thanks to Jeffrey for passing along the news! Source: Comic-Con.org
January 21st
Kyokai no RINNE Volume 40 Sales
For the week of July 17th-23rd Kyokai no RINNE volume 40 debuted in 32nd position on the Oricon sales chart with a weekly total of 16,391 copies.
- Kingdom #49
- Tokyo Ghoul:re #14
- Major 2nd #12
- Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (かぐや様は告らせたい ～天才たちの恋愛頭脳戦～) #8
- Sobotei Kowasubeshi (双亡亭壊すべし) #7
- Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight (午前0時、キスしに来てよ) #7
- Fire Force (炎炎ノ消防隊) #12
- The Promised Neverland (約束のネバーランド) #7 (3rd week)
- Hakumei and Mikochi (ハクメイとミコチ) #6 (2nd week)
- Nanatsuya: Shinobu no Housekibako (七つ屋志のぶの宝石匣) #6 (2nd week)
- Kyokai no RINNE (境界のRINNE) #40
January 28th
Good Smile Company Announces Next Nendoroid
Good Smile Company who recently released a Nendoroid figure of Lum will next produce a Rinne Rokudo Nendoroid. The figure will come with three different faces, his scythe, multiple hands to hold a paper rose, removable haori of the underworld, and Rokumon. The figure has a release date of May 2018. Source: Good Smile Company
Chihayafuru 10th Anniversary Celebration
The first issue of 2018's Be-Love shojo magazine from Kodansha includes a celebration of Chihayafuru's 10th anniversary. The special issue includes art by such manga luminaries as Rumiko Takahashi, Gosho Aoyama, Hiromu Arakawa, and Hirohiko Araki. Source: Anime News Network & Rumic Theater
January 29th
More Ranma Cafe Photos
More great images of the Ranma Cafe (up until February 25th) can be seen at the link below, lots of good merchandise shots and details images and comments on the good (and intentionally Akane-like not so good) food being served there.Thanks to Misael Joel Vera for passing along the link! Source: Sora News 24
February
February 8thFashions Inspired by Tendo Sisters
Stripe Club is selling a new fashion label (earth music&ecology) inspired by anime and manga. Their second collection features pieces inspired by the fashions worn by the Tendo sisters in Ranma 1/2. Now you can dress like Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane. Orders are being taken until February 13th with items shipping in May. Thanks to Ian for passing along this news. Source: Anime Anime!
February 10th
New Short Story - Empty Apartment
Big Comic will be publishing its first work by Rumiko Takahashi this year. The story is entitled "Nanimonai Heya" (Empty Apartment) and will appear in the February 24th issue (vol. 5) of the magazine. Big Comic is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is best known as the home for long-running assassin manga Golgo 13. Source: Big Comic
Ranma Cast Reunion at Ranma-Themed Cafe
Rumiko Takahashi met with many of the cast members from the Ranma anime for a meal at one of the Ranma-themed cafes currently popping up in Japan. At the dinner were: Ryunosuke Obayashi (Soun), Rumiko Takahashi, Kenichi Ogata (Genma), Megumi Hayashibara (female Ranma), Noriko Hidaka (Akane), Kappei Yamaguchi (male Ranma), Rei Sakuma (Shampoo) and Naoko Matsui (Azusa). Kappei Yamaguchi mentioned among his own photos on Twitter that Hiromi Tsuru (Ukyo), Ichiro Nagai (Happosai) and Hirotaka Suzuoki (Tatewaki Kuno) were all there in spirit (they each have passed away in recent years). Thanks to Ian for passing along the link! Source: Nijimen.net
February 24th
Empty Apartment
Rina moves into a new apartment and notices that incredibly strange things begin to happen in her life in Takahashi-sensei's short story for Big Comic's 5oth anniversary. Source: Rumic Theater
March
March 8thSchool Girl Strikers 2 Adds Urusei Yatsura and Ranma 1/2 Content
The mobile game from Square-Enix has added Urusei Yatsura and Ranma 1/2 characters to the game as well as outfits from the series such as Ukyo's and Benten's gear for the regular characters in the game. Source: Tomobiki-cho
March 14th
200 Million Party
Shonen Sunday threw a party today for both Rumiko Takahashi and Gosho Aoyama selling 200 million copies of their manga. Ryoji Minagawa mentions attending on his Twitter. Source: Ryoji Minagawa's Twitter
March 25th
Urusei Yatsura Cast Interview
The website Otocoto has conducted a new interview with Kazuko Sugiyama (Ten), Fumi Hirano (Lum) and Toshio Furukawa (Ataru) in which they warmly recount their time recording Urusei Yatsura. The translation is at the following link. Source: Otocoto
March 31th
New Short Story - Futari no Ie
Rumiko Takahashi's annual "Rumic Theater" short story for Big Comic Original has been announced in the April 5th issue. The title of the story is "Futari no Ie" (Room for Two). Source: Big Comic
April
April 2ndLate Night Tensai Bakabon
To celebrate the TV anime adaptation of Late Night! Tensai Bakabon (深夜天才バカボン), tribute illustrations were drawn by manga artists Tetsuya Chiba, Kenichi Kitami, Mitsuru Adachi, and Rumiko Takahashi! Tensai Bakabon is based on a manga by Fujio Akatsuka who was a major influence on Rumiko Takahashi. Source: Shinya Tensai Bakabon Twitter
Quarterly S Interview
Out today is a new issue of Quarterly S magazine where Rumiko Takahashi gives an rare interview about Kyokai no RINNE now that the manga has concluded. Takahashi-sensei has not been frequently interviewed about Kyokai no RINNE so this serves as a particularly insightful discussion on the series. Source: Quarterly S Vol. 61
April 5th
Room for Two
As we announced last week, Rumiko Takahashi's new short story Room for Two will appear in today's issue of Big Comic Original. Source: Rumic Theater
April 7th
Rumors of New Work in Sunday
Tsukuru Magazine in Japan reports talk of Takahashi publishing work in her longtime home magazine, Shonen Sunday again soon. Though she has published short stories there before, mostly likely this will be her next serial. Stay tuned for more news as it becomes available. Thanks Ian for passing this news along. Source: Anime News Network
May
May 10thBungeishunju Article
In the June issue of Bungeishunju there is a brief article written by Takahashi-sensei's high school friend and fellow mangaka Yoko Kondo discussing the pair's history and their careers. Source: Bungeishunju June 2018
May 29th
Urusei Yatsura's 40th Anniversary
Thank You Marts in Japan is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Urusei Yatsura in Japan with numerous retro goods, including bags, buttons, compacts and keychains. The series debuted in Shonen Sunday in 1978. Source: Anime News Network
June
June 4thCR Inuyasha Judgement Infinity
Released in pachinko halls across Japan today is a new Inuyasha themed pachinko machine from manufacturer Daiichi Shokai. Source: The Inuyasha Companion
August 21st
CR Maison Ikkoku 4 ~Yakusoku~ Update
The "99 Update" for the CR Maison Ikkoku 4 ~Yakusoku~ is being released in pachinko halls across Japan today. Source: Life at Maison Ikkoku
June 7th
Rumiko Takahashi Attends Party
Rumiko Takahashi attended the birthday party of Yuko Suzuhana, the lead singer and pianist of Wagakki Band (和楽器バンド). She presented the birthday girl with an original drawing as a gift. Source: Yuyu2000_9905's Twitter
June 12th
Akemi Takada Exhibition
Character designer for Urusei Yatsura, Patlabor, Kimagure Orange Road and Creamy Mami is having a gallery exhibition in honor of her 40th anniversary in the anime industry. A collection of her original works will be shown at Tokyu Department Store Kichijoji in Tokyo. Tickets cost 800 yen and the show will run from June 28th through July 4th. Source: Anime News Network
June 17th
Urusei Yatsura Themed Clothing
Some very 80s inspired looks with an Urusei Yatsura flair are coming to stores in Japan thanks to clothing line "earth music & ecology". Subtle prints featuring Lum and even jewelry inspired by the series will be hitting Japanese stores this summer. Thanks to Ian for passing along the news. Source: Crunchy Roll
June 25th
Nabe restaurant celebrates Urusei Yatsura Anniversary
The nabe/hot pot restaurant Akakara is celebrating Urusei Yatsura's 40th anniversary with two themed hot pots added to the menu as well as a series of collector's plates featuring Lum. The UY promotion will run from July 20th through August 19th. The t-shirts will sell for 3000 yen each while the commemorative plates and hot pot bowl will sell for 10,000 yen. Thanks to Ian for the news. Source: Anime News Network
July
July 19thUrusei Yatsura Re-Release in English
One of the early manga originally published by Viz, Urusei Yatsura was never completed by the company after being cancelled in the mid-1990s. At San Diego Comic Con Viz has offically announced it will release the entire series with a new translation in 2-in-1 format starting in spring 2019. Many years ago Rumic World was involved with "Project ILM" our, and many of our message board member's effort to translate the rest of the series. We are happy to annouce Viz's plans to see an official release that is so well deserved for the classic series. Thanks to Valerie Diamante for the excellent and exciting news! Source: Anime News Network
July 21st
Rumiko Takahashi Inducted into Comics Hall of Fame
The fourth times the charm as Rumiko Takahashi is finally inducted into Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame. Miss Takahashi was previously nominated in 2014, 2016 and 2017. She also won the prestigious Inkpot Award in 1994. While Takahashi-san will not be able to attend the event in person, Shogakukan's International Media Producer Mitsuru Saito accepted the award on her behalf. Source: Anime News Network
August
August 1stTakahashi Provides Cover Illustration
Rumiko Takahashi has provided a cover illustration for Tomoji Nobuta's new novel "Kumagami Fujin". This is not the first time Takahashi has provided cover designs or interior illustrations for a light novel, having previously done so in the 1990s on a series of detective stories. Thanks to Ian for passing along the news. Source: Anime News Network
August 5th
Urusei Yatsura Stamp Set
The 40th anniversary of Urusei Yatsura continues with a just announced stamp set featuring the artwork of Rumiko Takahashi. The collectors set includes a page of ten stamps, a stamp holder, color art set, and daily calendar. The set will ship on December 3rd. Source: Anime News Network
Seiyuu Divorce
Koichi Yamadera, best known to Takahashi fans as the voice of Ryoga Hibiki, announced on Twitter that he and his wife, fellow voice actor Rie Tanaka are divorcing after six years of marriage. Source: Anime News Network
August 12th
Eisner Award Celebration
A party to celebrate Takahashi-sensei winning the Eisner Hall of Fame award, along with Urusei Yatsura's 40th anniversary and 200 million volumes sold worldwide. A number of other mangaka were in attendance and drew a card for Takahashi-sensei including Tooru Fujisawa (Great Teacher Onizuka), Riichiro Inagaki (Eyeshield 21 and Dr. Stone), Ryutaro Ichimura (producer of Dragon Quest), Chisato from the band "Penicillin" and Yuki Suetsugu (Chihayafuru). Source: Tsutsui Kagetsui's Blog
August 20th
Mike Toole Talks Ocean Group
The Mike Toole Show discusses the Canadian English dubbing industry, particularly Ocean Group. Ocean Group was responsible for a large number of Viz dubs in the 1990s and 2000s, particularly almost all of Rumiko Takahashi's English dubs. Source: Anime News Network
August 30th
The Anime Nostalgia Podcast on Urusei Yatsura
The latest episode of the Anime Nostalgia Podcast focuses on the 40th anniversary of Urusei Yatsura and has a nice mention of our Tomobiki-cho website with fond remembrances of its early days. Source: The Anime Nostalgia Podcast
August 31st
Urusei Yatsura Pop Up Store Arrives
An Urusei Yatsura pop up shop is arriving in Japan, with the Osaka branch opening from September 20th to October 1st. The store features clear folders, postcards and a set of pins based on the cover of each volume of the manga series. Thanks to Ian for passing along this news! Source: Crunchy Roll
September
September 3rdMiyoko Asou Passes Away
Sad news as Miyoko Asou, best known to Takahashi fans as the voice of Cologne from Ranma 1/2 has died. She was 92 years old. In addition to playing Cologne, she was also the voice of Fune Isono in "Sazae-san", a role she played for 46 years. Source: Anime News Network
September 14th
2D Versus Katana Exhibition
An exhibition entitled "2D Versus Katana" is opening today through November 4th at the Iwakuni Art Museum in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi prefecture. The show will feature a number of unique, modern katanas as well as artwork featuring the swords by noted manga artists. The artwork includes pieces by:
- Rumiko Takahashi
- Yoshitaka Amano
- Ryoichi Ikegami
- Takuma Kai
- Hiroyuki Ochi
- Shinichi Hiromoto
- Yuji Kaida
- Hiroyuki Maeda
- Takaharu Matsumoto
- Okina Kinno
- Yukio Hirai
- Kiriko Yumeji
- Edo of the Dead
- Kimiko Kamata
October
October 23rdKouji Tsujitani Passes Away
More sad news as beloved seiyuu Kouji Tsujitani has passed away. Mr. Tsujitani voiced Miroku in Inuyasha, Hiroshi in Ranma 1/2, Yakumo in 3x3 Eyes, Dewey in Eureka Seven, and Tylor in Irresponsible Captain Tylor and many, many more. Mr. Tsujitani was married to fellow Inuyasha castmate Kumiko Watanabe, the voice of Shippo. It is a mixture of profound happiness for what Tsujitani-san contributed to our lives and deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time. Source: Anime News Network
October 30th
For Me and Yasutaka Tsutsui
Takahashi-sensei has published a two-page tribute manga to writer Yasutaka Tsutsui in Kawade Yume Mook Yasutaka Tsutsui published today. Source: Rumic Theater
November
November 5thPachislot Ranma 1/2
Don't let the identical name fool you, this is a new pachslot machine featuring the original vocal cast reprising their roles and more new animation is appearing in parlors across Japan starting today. Source: Ranma 1/2 Perfect Edition
November 11th
Urusei Yatsura & Kuboto
Kubota, makers of heavy industrial agricultural equipment have released a promotional video featuring images of manga characters eating rice. The manga shown include Urusei Yatsura, Hayate the Combat Butler, Afro Tanaka, Karakai Jozu no Takagi-san & Tsurumoku Dokushin Ryo. Source: YouTube
Ranma 1/2 Temperature Change Mugs
New hot & cold change mugs featuring images of Ranma 1/2 character shifting back and forth from their Jusenkyo curses depending on the temperature of the mug go on sale November 19th and retail for 1620 yen. Source: Comics Natalie
November 30th
Takahashi Recommends In Love with Sake
Marie Chiba and former assistant to Rumiko Takahashi, Hanako Mejiro's new manga In Love with Sake (日本酒に恋して) has a recommendation by Rumiko Takahashi on the cover. Takahashi-sensei said: "The delicious marriage of sake and side dishes makes me want to drink." Source: In Love with Sake obi
December
December 4thNew Series From Takahashi
Rumiko Takahashi's next manga will begin in Spring 2019 according to Shonen Sunday 2019 Issue 1. No details about characters or story are available yet, but she is hard at work on the early chapters. Source: Mantan-Web.jp
December 28th
Masato Suga Passes Away
Pony Canyon music producer Masato Suga passed away on December 11th at the age of 59 from pneumonia. With his work at Pony Canyon, Suga produced albums for Kikuko Inoue as well as work within the Ranma 1/2 anime series as well. Thanks to Ian Lepard for the news. Source: Anime News Network
Inuyasha Line Rangers
An Inuyasha event was added to the gacha mobile Line Rangers game this year, you can acquire characters from the series to do battle with. Source: The Inuyasha Companion