Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Manga

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Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Manga

Post by kndy »

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE CLASSIC SERIES RANMA ½ TO NORTH AMERICA

Legendary Martial Arts-Action-Adventure-Comedy Manga Created By Rumiko Takahashi Debuts In 2-in-1 Editions Spring 2014; Anime Launches Today On VIZAnime.com; Neon Alley, Blu-ray And DVD Debuts Coming Soon

San Francisco, CA, September 11, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced the return of one of the genre’s most celebrated manga and anime properties – RANMA ½.

RANMA ½ is a renowned martial arts action-adventure manga (graphic novel) series created by Rumiko Takahashi. The manga series was a staple of the VIZ Media catalog for over 14 years and remains one of the company’s longest-running titles and one of the longest-running manga series in North America. VIZ Media plans to begin publishing the RANMA ½ manga series (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) in new 2-in-1 omnibus editions featuring the original right-to-left reading format for the first time ever in early 2014.

VIZ Media today also launches the smash-hit RANMA ½ (subtitled, rated TV-14) anime series on its VIZAnime.com streaming service as well as on Hulu. The series will debut on its Neon Alley anime channel this fall (dubbed), and will be available on DVD and, for the first time ever, Blu-ray box set editions next year.

To celebrate the return of RANMA ½, VIZ Media is planning a variety of booth activities and special programming scheduled for the 2013 New York Comic-Con, taking place October 10-13 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. More details will be announced shortly.

Ranma Saotome never thought a martial arts training mission to China would turn out like this! Due to an unfortunate accident at the cursed Chinese training ground Jusenkyo, when Ranma and his father get splashed with cold water, papa turns into a giant panda and male Ranma becomes a buxom young woman! Hot water reverses the effect, but only until the next time! Constantly chased by battle-happy martial artists and lovesick suitors of both sexes, what's a half-boy, half-girl martial artist to do?

“A groundbreaking story with eccentric characters, martial arts mayhem, and quirky romantic subplots, RANMA ½ is a zany adventure that has thrilled generations of fans with its colorful mix of action, romance and screwball comedy,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. “We’re delighted to deliver this classic manga series to a new legion of North American fans this spring in 2-in-1 editions presented in right-to-left format for the first time.”

“RANMA ½ also introduced many influential artists to manga and anime fandom, and it remains a celebrated piece of the genre’s history,” adds Brian Ige, VIZ Media Vice President of Animation. “The addition of the anime series to our extensive digital catalog will present these acclaimed episodes in an entirely new way and allow fans to take advantage of the convenience and flexibility that VIZAnime and Neon Alley offer. Fans can also look forward to the hi-definition Blu-ray and DVD release this spring!”

Rumiko Takahashi is one of Japan’s most prolific and respected manga artists and is the creator of several long running series including MAISON IKKOKU, RANMA 1/2, and INUYASHA – all published in North America by VIZ Media. The spotlight on her prolific career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and also spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another— MAISON IKKOKU ran from 1980 to 1987, RANMA ½ from 1987 to 1996, and INUYASHA from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include MERMAID SAGA, RUMIC THEATER, ONE-POUND GOSPEL, and RIN-NE (all also published in North America by VIZ Media).

For more information on Rumiko Takahashi titles by VIZ Media, please visit http://www.VIZ.com.
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Re: Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Mang

Post by Animusubi »

I really want to go to New York Comic-Con, just to see what sort of things their going to be doing. I keep thinking they'll be giving out something, and it makes me anxious. ;o;
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Re: Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Mang

Post by Kame-Sen'nin »

I can't wait to pick this up!

Confession: I've yet to see the whole series :oops:
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Re: Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Mang

Post by kndy »

Kame-Sen'nin wrote:I can't wait to pick this up!

Confession: I've yet to see the whole series :oops:
I haven't watched the entire series...I've owned it on VHS, DVD and the reason why is that the later seasons...there is a quality (animation, story, etc.) difference...and it bugged the crap out of me.
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Re: Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Mang

Post by usamimi »

I know we've posted about the anime re-release and manga re-release in there respective threads, but I do think this deserves it's own thread because it's certainly a big deal. Ranma was one of Viz's flagship series for years (or at least one of it's most popular), and the fact that they're finally re-releasing all of it in (hopefully) really nice, new formats and packaging despite the series being over 20 years old is something I was worried we wouldn't see happening any time soon. I'm really hoping they can get newer/younger fans EXCITED about this series, and I hope that they'll actually buy it, too. If Ranma does well, this could (again, hopefully) pave the way for Viz to re-release older stuff if they see there's a market for it. (Considering they pointed all all of those titles were published by them, but almost half of them are out of print now.)

I think there are still chunks of the anime I haven't seen, too, but I have read all the manga. (Though it's been a while since I went through it...I really should.) I can totally understand how the shifting styles in long-running series can bug people. One of the reasons I haven't gotten around to watching any of the new Slayers anime is that it just....looks so much different than the rest of the show. xD;;
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Re: Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Mang

Post by llj »

I'll definitely pick up the first two seasons or so on BD, if they release it in 12, 13, or 20-something episode blocks.
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Re: Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Mang

Post by _D_ »

Has Takahashi done anything of note lately? Her name is rarely mentioned in new fan circles...
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Re: Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Mang

Post by Animusubi »

_D_ wrote:Has Takahashi done anything of note lately? Her name is rarely mentioned in new fan circles...
Maybe because Rinne isn't all that great? :lol: That's her latest manga, I didn't personally like it at all, but I haven't liked any Takahashi works since Inu Yasha. She also had her 35th anniversary a few years ago, released a new artbook, the OAVs for Ranma 1/2, UY, and Inu Yasha, and had more merchandise done. And she's done a few really nice short "slice of life" type manga stories too in the last several years. Which I haven't really been able to find any scans of, I doubt they'll get published.
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Re: Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Mang

Post by usamimi »

llj wrote:I'll definitely pick up the first two seasons or so on BD, if they release it in 12, 13, or 20-something episode blocks.
I'm curious to see if they're gonna release it like they did in Japan, which was in 3 box sets instead of separating all the individual seasons. I'd much rather buy 3 boxes than 7...that'd take up a lot less space.
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Re: Ranma 1/2 to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and 2-in-1 Mang

Post by gaijinpunch »

I think they're yet to be released though, right? At least not all of them. Those boxes are freakin' pricey!

EDIT: Yeah, the 2nd one is about to drop.
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