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 Saga, Inuyasha, 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