The recent news about an upcoming remake of
the anime “ Ranma 1/2 ” has
generated a wave of excitement among fans of the classic series. However, not
everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Some fans are expressing concerns
about the feasibility of adapting this manga , which was first
published nearly forty years ago, to today’s social standards, especially in
terms of comedy.
“ Ranma 1/2 ,” created by Rumiko
Takahashi and published between 1987 and 1996, became a classic for
its mix of martial arts, romance and humor. However, society has
changed considerably since then, and certain aspects of the manga and
its original anime adaptation might not be well received today.
A Twitter user, identified as “朝野おやつ (@asano082)” ,
expressed his feelings about the situation with the following words:
- « As
a Ranma fan, I don't want it to be re-animated. I want it
to exist as a 'fun manga from back in the day'. It's important that it's
from that era. Nowadays, insults like the ones Ranma says to Akane
(that she's not pretty, that she's unattractive, that she's
straight-faced, etc.) and Shampoo's choppy language would no longer be
acceptable. There's already a well-animated anime version, so
there's no need to make another one. »
- « The
fact that Kasumi, after graduating from high school, has stayed at home doing
all the housework , and the dialogue “Kasumi, tea” “Yes,
dad” is also too problematic now. What are they planning to do
with old Happosai? What does the production team intend to do by
reviving Ranma? »
This view reflects a broader concern among fans of
the series. The humor and gender dynamics that were acceptable in the
1980s and 1990s could be considered problematic in today's context. Furthermore,
the central premise of “Ranma 1/2,” which revolves around a young boy who
changes gender upon contact with water, raises questions about gender identity
and representation in media, topics that are now more sensitive and
subject to greater scrutiny than in the past.
And the opinions of the Japanese were not lacking:
- « Well,
if I say this from the position of a simple spectator who is not involved
in creative activities, I can respect different opinions, even if I don't
agree with them. But if it's said by someone who draws BL manga, I wonder:
“Is what you do such a high-level work that you can ethically criticize
Ranma? How dare you say that?” »
- « Opinions
are divided, but I completely understand this. In this sense, I think
Devilman Crybaby was adapted very well. I like reboots of that style, but
at the same time, it can make those who want to see the original anime
sad, what will they do with Ranma 1/2? »
- « It's
true… I thought there would be a lot of parts that would need to be
changed in terms of expression (the transformation from male to female,
the cross-dressing characters being called “perverts,” scenes with a lot
of exposition, etc.), but when you list it, there are a lot of fundamental
aspects of the characters that would be problematic .»
- « I
understand this. Ranma is a manga from the late Showa era to the early
Heisei, so it is important to consider both the “Reiwa era context” and
the “source material”. Rumiko Takahashi has always been at the forefront
from Showa to Reiwa because she has continually updated her thinking to
suit each era .»
- « Yesterday,
while listening to Kasumi's song, I thought, “Time has changed a lot,
maybe this could cause controversy?” »
- « Admittedly,
regulating speech could completely eliminate the good elements of that
era. But at the same time, I don't want to see a current version of Ranma
as “Ranma who frequently changes gender to explore a new approach to the
genre .” »
- « You
once enjoyed various anime and manga as an otaku, but by installing
politically correct thinking, you have become a simple old whiner. You
probably think that this is “growth” or “values update”, which is quite
painful .»
- « I
recently read the original manga “Hana yori Dango” for the first time, and
the black-haired male protagonist’s words were so insulting that it was
almost like harassment, there was even an attempt at sexual assault, which
was shocking. In the end, I stopped reading at the third volume… I was
born in the mid-Heisei era, and I’m surprised that such things were popular
in the past. I realize that what is considered “fun” changes over time .
»
- « I
was excited to think that Mousse would be back in action, but when I think
about it, it doesn’t fit the current times. Rumiko Takahashi is someone
who has updated her work properly (you can see that in her recent manga),
so I’m worried that she might be misunderstood. Ranma and Lum are the same
as Chiikawa in that sense. (There are people who love them without knowing
the stories.) »
Source: Hachima Kikou
