Ranma ½: ​​The Battle of Nekonlun, China! A Fierce Battle that Breaks the Rules - The Appeal and Evaluation of the Movie

The appeal and evaluation of "Ranma ½: ​​The Battle of Nekonron, China! The Fierce Battle that Breaks the Rules"

"Ranma ½: ​​China's Nekonlun Great Battle! A Fierce Battle That Breaks the Rules" was released on November 2, 1991 as the first theatrical version of the popular manga "Ranma ½" by Rumiko Takahashi. This work brings out the best of the original manga while also depicting the scale and power that only a theatrical version can offer. Below, we will take a closer look at the story, characters, production background, reviews, and related works of this work.

■ Story

The story begins when Akane Tendo, who accidentally gets hold of a scroll that only those who marry Kirin, the head of the Seven Lucky Dojin School, can have, is kidnapped by Kirin. Ranma Saotome and his friends head to Nekonlun in China to rescue Akane. There, they face various challenges and enemies, and fight to rescue Akane.

This story is told on a grand scale that only a movie can, while still retaining the essence of the original work. In particular, the exotic setting of Nekonlun, China, greatly enhances the visual appeal. In addition, the challenges that Ranma and his friends face and the battles with enemies will provide fresh surprises and excitement for fans of the original work.

■ Characters

The protagonist of this work, Saotome Ranma, is the second generation of the Saotome school of indiscriminate fighting, and is a first-year student at Furinkan High School. When he was young, he was taken by his father to China to train, and fell into a spring of water that turned him into a woman when splashed with water, and into a man when splashed with hot water. This unique setting was a big attraction in the original work, and its appeal is fully displayed in the movie version.

Akane Tendo is the third daughter of the Tendo Dojo and Ranma's fiancee. Although she is always fighting with Ranma, deep down she cares for him. Akane's character is an attractive presence that combines strength and kindness, and her growth and change are also one of the highlights of the series.

Genma Saotome is Ranma's father and the founder of the Saotome style of indiscriminate fighting. He has a unique background in that he fell into a panda-filled spring during training and turns into a panda when he gets wet. Genma's character is portrayed with a comical side and a loving fatherly side, adding depth to the story.

■Production Background

The film is directed by Iuchi Shuji and is based on the original work by Takahashi Rumiko. The screenplay was written by Yanagawa Shigeru (original story), Iuchi Shuji, and Yamaguchi Ryota, and character design and animation direction was handled by Nakajima Atsuko. Animation production was supported by Studio Deen, and music was provided by Kawai Kenji.

The production team has made every effort to bring out the best in the original work. In particular, the setting of the Chinese city of Sekkunlun, the character movements, and the depiction of the battle scenes are faithful to the worldview of the original work, while still being powerful enough to be a feature film. Music is also used effectively to match the development of the story, helping to heighten the emotions of the viewer.

■Evaluation

"Ranma ½: ​​The Great Battle at Nekonlun in China! The Fierce Battle that Breaks the Rules" has been highly praised by fans of the original work. It has been particularly praised for faithfully retaining the essence of the original work while portraying it with the scale and intensity that only a movie can offer. Furthermore, the characters' growth and changes, as well as the challenges they face and their battles with enemies, provided viewers with fresh surprises and excitement.

In addition, this film was shown alongside Urusei Yatsura: Always My Darling, creating a special experience for fans of both films. These elements combined to make this the first film in the Ranma ½ series, and a work beloved by many fans.

■ Related works

"Ranma ½: ​​The Great Battle of Nekonlun, China! The Fierce Battle that Breaks the Rules" is closely related to the original manga "Ranma ½", as well as the TV series and other movies. The related works are listed below.

• TV series "Ranma 1/2"
• Theatrical animation "Ranma 1/2: Battle at Togenkyo! Get the Bride Back!!"
• Theatrical animation "Ranma 1/2: Super Indiscriminate Battle! Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix"

While these works share the worldview of the original work, they each depict different stories and character development. In particular, the TV series faithfully reproduces the episodes of the original work, while the film version depicts the story in a way that further enhances the appeal of the original work. By enjoying these works together, you can gain a deeper understanding and enjoy the world of Ranma ½.

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme of this work is "IT'S LOVE", with lyrics by Tomoharu Iwasa, music by Toshiya Noshita, arrangement by Rabbit, and singing by RABBIT. This song plays a role in enhancing the emotions of the viewer as the story unfolds, further enhancing the appeal of the work.

■Recommendation

"Ranma ½: ​​The Great Battle at Nekonlun in China! The Fierce Battle that Breaks the Rules" is a work recommended not only for fans of the original work, but also for viewers who want to enjoy action and comedy. In particular, the portrayal of the characters' growth and change, as well as the challenges they face and their battles with enemies, will provide viewers with fresh surprises and excitement. Also, don't miss the exotic setting of Nekonlun in China and the scale and impact that only a movie version can offer.

In addition, this film was shown alongside Urusei Yatsura: Always My Darling, making it a special experience for fans of both works. These elements combined to make this the first film in the Ranma ½ series and a beloved work by many fans. Please watch this film and rediscover the charm of the original work.

■Detailed information

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

November 2, 1991

■Distribution company

Argo Project

■ Eirin Number

113622

■Frequencies

75 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Rumiko Takahashi

■ Director

Shuji Iuchi

■ Production

Animation production cooperation: Studio Deen

■Cast

• Ranma / Megumi Hayashibara
• Akane Tendo/Noriko Hidaka
• Tendo Nabiki / Minami Takayama
• Kasumi Tendo/Kikuko Inoue
• Tendo Soun/Ryuunosuke Obayashi
• Genma Saotome/Kenichi Ogata
• Kuno Tatewaki/Hiroshi Suzuoki
• Shampoo/Rei Sakuma

■ Main staff

• Original story by Rumiko Takahashi
• Planning: Shigekazu Ochiai
• Produced by Hidenori Taga
• Director: Shuji Iuchi
• Screenplay: Shigeru Yanagawa (original story), Shuji Iuchi, Ryota Yamaguchi
• Character design and animation director: Atsuko Nakajima
• Art by Torao Arai
• Director of photography: Yoshida Mitsunobu
• Sound Director: Shigeharu Zanba
• Music by Kenji Kawai
• Producer: Yoko Matsushita
• Animation Production Producer/Hiroshi Hasegawa
• Animation production cooperation: Studio Deen

■ Main Characters

• Ranma Saotome: The second generation of the Saotome style of indiscriminate fighting. He is a first-year student at Furinkan High School. When he was young, he was training in China with his father, but fell into a drowning spring, which caused him to turn into a woman when splashed with water, and a man when splashed with hot water.
• Akane Tendo: The third daughter of the Tendo dojo and Ranma's fiance. However, she is always fighting with Ranma.
• Genma Saotome: Ranma's father. Founder of the Saotome style of indiscriminate fighting. During training, he fell into a panda-filled spring and turned into a panda when splashed with water.

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1: IT'S LOVE
• Lyricist: Tomoharu Iwasa
• Composer: Toshiya Noshita
• Arrangement: Rabbit
• Sung by: RABBIT

Above, we have explained in detail the appeal and evaluation of "Ranma ½: ​​The Great Battle at Nekonlun in China! The Fierce Battle that Breaks the Rules." This work firmly inherits the essence of the original work, but is depicted with the scale and power that only a movie version can have, making it a work loved by many fans. Please watch this work and rediscover the appeal of the original work.