Kara Dennison
November 14, 2024 
Hot on the heels of the 2022 Urusei Yatsura anime, we’ve got the return of Ranma 1/2. Possibly the most famous and enduring of Rumiko Takahashi’s rom-coms, the series currently has a new lease on life on Netflix. And whether you’re new to the series or a returning fan, you’re certain to recognize a good number of the voice actors in this new anime.
From stars returning to iconic roles to new cast members filling their predecessors’ big shoes, we’re taking a look at the new cast of this anything-goes anime. See if you can spot your favorites!
Returning Stars
Ranma 1/2 welcomed back lots of its original voice actors, including the three talents behind the two main characters. And all of them have extremely impressive resumes.
Kappei Yamaguchi and Megumi Hayashibara both return to their shared role of Ranma Saotome. Yamaguchi has appeared in many other Rumiko Takahashi adaptations, playing the eponymous half-demon of Inuyasha and Sabato Rokudo in RIN-NE. Hayashibara has her own share of iconic roles, including Lina Inverse in Slayers and Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion.
All three Tendo sisters also return, including Noriko Hidaka as Akane. Hidaka has a massive career of her own, serving as narrator of Komi Can’t Communicate, Kikyo in Inuyasha, and Noriko Takaya in Gunbuster. Another returning Ranma alum, Rei Sakuma (who will once again be playing Shampoo), also appeared in Gunbuster—playing Noriko’s beloved senpai Kazumi!
Last but not least, Koichi Yamadera returns to his dual role as Ryoga Hibiki (a.k.a. P-chan) and the Jusenkyo Guide. Yamadera has a massive resume, including Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop and Inspector Zenigata in Lupin the 3rd.
New Blood
Joining the classic Ranma 1/2 cast are lots of new voices… well, new to this show, at least. Much like their co-stars, they have impressive careers of their own. Take the Kuno siblings, Tatewaki and Kodachi. The former now sports the voice of Tomokazu Sugita—the talent behind Kyon in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Gintama in… well, Gintama. His deadly sister Kodachi is now voiced by Ayane Sakura, whom you make recognize as Ochaco in My Hero Academia.
Koichi Yamadera isn’t the only Lupin the 3rd voice actor making his way into this cast! Taking over the role of Soun Tendo, father of the Tendo sisters, is Akio Ohtsuka. Besides playing Solid Snake in the Metal Gear games and All for One in My Hero Academia, he’s the new voice of Jigen in the long-running heist series.
Other new voices include a whole new character! School reporter Ichiro, created specially for this new series, is voiced by Initial D and Fate/stay night star Tomokazu Seki.
Somewhere in Between
There is one character in Ranma 1/2 who has been recast, but not because his voice actor is unavailable! Cho, whom One Piece fans may recognize as the the skeletal Brook, takes on the role of Ranma’s dad and part-time giant panda. But Genma Saotome’s original voice actor, Kenichi Ogata, is still around. Listen for him at the start of each episode as the series’s narrator!
Ranma 1/2 is now streaming on Netflix.
