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Indulge in some ’90s anime nostalgia with Ranma ½ 30th anniversary line of apparel

Sep 11, 2017

Don’t worry–wearing the following clothes will not cause you to abruptly switch sexes (unless you’ve previously fallen into a cursed spring and happen to get wet). 

For many now-seasoned North American veterans of anime, Viz Media’s English adaptation of Ranma ½ in the early ’90s was their first-ever introduction to Japanese manga and anime–and there was no going back after that.

The series was created by the legendary Rumiko Takahashi, Japan’s best-selling female manga artist who has over 200 million copies of her work in print worldwide. Her influence on the world of manga has been profound; everyone in Japan is bound to have read or watched at least one of her famous works over the decades, which include Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Mermaid SagaInuyasha, and Rin-ne. Ranma ½ was published in Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine from September 1987 to March 1996 and was also adapted into a hit anime series known for its comedic, often slapstick humor, eccentric cast of characters (including far too many fiancées), and gender-bending antics at the Tendo School of “Anything-Goes Martial Arts.”

To celebrate the anniversary of the first pages of Ranma ½ being published 30 years ago, Japanese clothing retailer Listen Flavor will begin selling a special collaborative line of Ranma ½ apparel in its Harajuku location and online stop on September 16th:

First, the apparel line features series protagonist Ranma Saotome (female version), along with father Genma Saotome in panda form, in the following “Chinese button-styled” hoodie on sale for 8,900 yen (US$82.50):

Next, we have a long-sleeved top patterned with Ranma’s main rival, the perpetually lost Ryoga Hibiki whose alter ego is Akane Tendo’s adorable pet pig P-chan (on the right):

▼ Left: 5,900 yen; right: 6,900 yen

▼ Design close-up: don’t you just want to boop the snoot?

Shampoo, one of Ranma’s multiple fiancées, who works at a Chinese restaurant and is a skilled martial artist in her own right, makes an appearance in both human and cat form in some of the other items.

▼ Left: 7,900 yen; right: 6,900 yen

▼ Here’s a nice touch–Shampoo’s love-struck coworker Mousse, in his duck form, trailing behind her as usual.

The shop is even selling knee-high socks decorated in both the Shampoo and P-chan patterns for 3,900 yen a pair.

Finally, grab yourself a character badge for 800 yen to accessorize your outfit.

On one last note, Listen Flavor is offering a bonus postcard present with each clothing purchase while supplies last. The postcard will match whichever clothing design you buy, as seen below:

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been 30 years since Ranma first appeared on book shelves. Use this opportunity to take a trip down memory lane and immerse yourself in the immortal pages of wacky martial arts mayhem!

Source: Weekly Shonen Sunday
Images: Listen Flavor


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