Longtime Ranma fans can indulge in a bevy of lovingly crafted dishes with clever nods to the series and even experience some VR entertainment while waiting for their orders.
Celebrations for the 30th manga anniversary of Rumiko Takahashi‘s timeless classic, Ranma ½, are well underway. The latest exciting news for fans of the wacky martial arts-themed, gender-bending series is the announcement of limited-time Ranma ½-themed cafes in three major Japanese cities. Beginning on November 9 and lasting through January 2018, the pop-up cafes will appear at THE GUEST cafe & diner locations in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo. Furthermore, these are no run-of-the-mill establishments–the ample menu offerings range from food to drinks and pay homage to a wide variety of the series’ main characters, with some truly ingenious references to the series. In fact, it’s as if visitors will be able to experience first-hand the zany antics of the cast as they appeared in the original pages of Shonen Sunday three decades ago!
Well then, let’s take a look at the menu offerings, shall we?
Food Menu
▼ “Eat up! Cat Cafe’s gomoku ramen” (1,490 yen/US$13.10 [with limited Chinese-style spoon] or 1,190 yen/US$10.50 [without spoon]) 
The “Eat up! Cat Cafe’s gomoku ramen” comes with an exclusive offering. For 250 yen extra, you can order a “VR topping” to enjoy some VR entertainment before your bowl of steaming noodles arrives. The scene in question is taken from the story featured in Chapter 60 of the 7th manga volume titled “Aim for the Goal,” in which Ranma agrees to the Miss Martial Arts Takeout contest .
▼ “Legendary hot pot ~Jusenkyo style~” (1,490 yen)
Enjoy this clever take on Ranma and his father training at the cursed hot springs in China. It also comes with a bonus side of “Spring of the Drowned Girl” sesame sauce.
▼ “Akane’s sample meal ~hidden flavor~” (1,290 yen)
We all know how to approach Akane’s cooking…with a ten-foot-pole. Now you can actually sample the curry that Akane made with all of her effort, complete with a hidden flavor surprise.
▼ “Special techniques plate” (1,590 yen)
Was the sheer strength of these ultimate techniques too much for Upperclassman Kuno to handle??
Sweets Menu
▼ Love fortune-telling sakuramochi parfait” (1,190 yen)
Another creation of Akane’s to cautiously try (but don’t worry–marks won’t appear on your face).
▼ “Genma Saotome Japanese-style sweets plate” (1,390 yen)
Pour the hojicha in the kettle over the Genma (panda form)-shaped cotton candy to enjoy this delectable dessert.
▼ “P-chan’s directionally challenged pancake” (1,290 yen)
Where the heck was the eternally lost Ryoga/P-chan trying to go? It sure beats us, because he brought back both deep-fried sata andagi from Okinawa in the south and Yubari melon jelly from Hokkaido in the north.
▼ “Snatch it! Phoenix in-the-flames heavenly broiled sweet chestnut Mont Blanc” (1,290 yen)
This dish immortalizes Ranma’s desperate escapades to steal the Phoenix Pill from Cologne, Shampoo’s great-grandmother, in order to reverse his female transformation. It’s also a subtle nod to Cologne’s “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” technique.
▼ “Mousse’s deluxe egg yolk custard buns” (990 yen)
Poor Mousse–are these buns finally the key to Shampoo’s heart? Wait a second, the filling inside one of them seems a little strange…
Side Menu
▼ “Ucchan’s okonomiyaki” (600 yen)
What kind of message will appear for Ucchan’s dear “Ran-chan”? You can order this dish only if you have ordered at least one food or sweets dish.
Drinks Menu
▼ “Transformation lattes ~with Akane’s animal cookies~” (790 yen)
The hot latte comes with a randomly selected image of male Ranma, Ryoga, Shampoo, Mousse, or Akane. The iced version comes with a randomly selected image of female Ranma, P-chan, Shampoo’s cat form, Mousse’s duck form, or Genma’s panda form. Each order is accompanied with one of Akane’s randomly selected animal cookies.
▼ “Shampoo’s delight smoothie” (890 yen)
Enjoy the luxurious pink and purple swirls in this cute smoothie!
▼ “Kodachi, the Black Rose’s soda ~with anesthetic~” (790 yen)
The dark color and rose petals of this beverage suit Kodachi to a T. Just watch out, because she’s quite adept at drugging her cooking…
▼ “Infinite fighting spirit! Rare fish bowl drink” (1,290 yen)
Even Ms. Hinako’s betta fighting fish make an appearance (alongside plenty of fruit)! Keep this bowl by your side to always have plenty of energy…and to remain as a sensuous adult.
In addition, visitors who order a drink will receive a randomly selected coaster from the following 10 varieties:
Goods
Cafe visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase a variety of Ranma ½ limited-edition goods, including, but not limited to, key chains, tin badges, tote bags, towels, masking tape, whiteboards, plates, and hair clips. Note: You do not need to enter the cafe to shop for goods.
A lucky few will have the chance to purchase Ucchan’s okonomiyaki spatula for 3,000 yen (limited to 100 items per location):
They’ve teamed up with the Natalie Store to offer even more collaborative goods, including folders, pins, hoodies, and long-sleeved shirts:
Even if you can’t make it to one of the cafe locations in person, it’s still comforting to know that Ranma and his friends are entertaining people all these years later–and probably gaining some new fans to boot.
THE GUEST cafe & diner information
Osaka Prefecture location
Address: Osaka-shi, Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi 1-6-1, Shinsaibashi 161, 2nd floor
大阪市中央区心斎橋筋1-6-1
Dates: November 9-December 19
Open: 11 am-9pm (last food order at 8 pm, drinks at 8:30 pm)
Aichi Prefecture location
Address: Nagoya-shi, Naka-ku, Sakae 3-29-1, Nagoya Parco West Building, 8th floor
愛知県名古屋市中区栄3-29-1
Dates: November 22-December 25
Cafe hours: 10 am-9:30 pm (last food order at 8:30 pm, drinks at 9 pm)
Goods shop hours: 10 am-9 pm
On December 25, the cafe and the goods shop will both close at 6 pm.
Tokyo Prefecture location
Address: Toshima-ku, Minami-ikebukuro, 1-28-8, Ikebukuro Parco Main Building, 7th floor
東京都豊島区南池袋１丁目２８−２
Dates: Early January-TBD
Open: 10 am-10 pm (last food order at 9 pm, drinks at 9:30 pm)
Source: Natalie via Hachima Kiko
Images: THE GUEST cafe & diner