Ranma 1/2 Nettohen Talk Project: A Roundtable Discussion on the Rivalry Between Akane, Kodachi and Shampoo
The Three Girls Surrounding Ranma

Translation by: Harley Acres

The "Nettohen" arc of Ranma 1/2 has been getting quite exciting. Following our previously popular "Three Tendo Sisters Roundtable," we gathered the voice actresses of the three girls that surround Ranma. We've named it the "Rivals Roundtable": Will Akane, Shampoo, and Kodachi's conversation "cut Ranma with a swift-swinging blade"?

Shampoo's first "cute" role?

I asked Hidaka-san last time, so I'll ask Sakuma-san and Shimazu-san. Sakuma-san, Ranma is your first time reading Takahashi-sensei's work, right?

Sakuma: That's right. Actually, I once met Rumiko Takahashi-san at an event. At the time, I didn't know much about animation, but everyone was getting drawings, so I was like, "Wow, that's nice," and she drew Lum for me, hand-signing it "for Rei." I've only come to understand how grateful I am for that recently... (laughs) I read Ranma after I was cast as Shampoo, and I thought she was super scary because she was a "Chinese female martial artist." But when I read it, it she was like that (laughs), so I was surprised and fell in love with her right away. ^[1]

In the manga, Shampoo speaks in a way that says "aru yo" and that's how it's written in the script too, but an overly Chinese way of speaking could easily lead to misunderstandings, so we cut that out completely. ^[2]

But it sounds quite Chinese.

Sakuma: Chinese people don't say things like "aru yo", they just do it with nuance. When I went to the studio for the first time, they told me to "do it with nuance"... I was so shocked I felt like I'd been hit over the head with a hammer (laughs).

Do you find it easier to play a character like Shampoo than a character like Ruiko from F, which you did previously?

Sakuma: Eh, it's my first time. I've never played a cute role before. Little kids who are called brats, or pretty brazen characters, or characters with strangely strong personalities... but ultimately, I haven't played many cute roles. But Shampoo is cute, but she's quite strange.

I like characters like Shampoo. I'm happy to be able to play a character that makes me think that way. She's not just cheeky or mischievous, I think she's quite adorable. I hope that we can show that side of her, and I hope I can express it.

Shocking!! Kodachi's first appearance

It seemed like everyone thought, "No one else could play Kodachi but Shimazu-san!", but what do you think about playing a role like this?

Shimazu: I like it... it's a good role (laughs).

Have you read the original Ranma manga?

Shimazu: I don't know... I mean, I hardly ever read any magazines that could be called manga, let alone Ranma. The reason I don't read them is because I'd hate it if I thought, "This manga is interesting, this character is great," but I couldn't do the role myself... (laughs). With the nature of our work, that sort of thing happens all the time.

Hidaka: Still, the first appearance of Kodachi was amazing. I wonder where that tension and energy came from? (laughs)

Shimazu: Leave the excitement to me!

You were so perfectly suited to the role, did you study the character as a professional before you started working on it?

Shimazu: ... Don't ask Shimazu about that sort of thing... (laughs). But when you see the pictures moving during the recording, it does get you excited. Kodachi's entrance was amazing (laughs).

Hidaka: It was amazing. When I heard that "hohohoho laugh," I thought that Reiko Shiratori was the only one who could do it, except for Saeko-san. (laughs) ^[3]

Shimazu: It's quite tough when I'm asked to do that at an event. I can't do it without the pictures.

Sakuma: Changing the subject, Saeko-san was the first celebrity I ever saw!

Shimazu: What's that?!?! (laughs) That's right out of the blue.

Sakuma: When I was 18, I went to Fukushima for an event, and sitting next to me on the Shinkansen was a beautiful woman with a white sweater and pink and blue ribbons, and I was like a country girl and thought, "Oh, she's a celebrity!" and was so moved... that it was Saeko-san. She was very pale, and I thought she looked like a Licca-chan doll, but when she got on stage, she was talking in a funny voice and getting laughs, and she looked completely different from before, and I thought, "Oh, she's a celebrity!" again (laughs).

Hidaka: I also thought of Saeko-san, who appeared at the KAC event, as someone who would melt in the sunlight. ^[4] I wondered if it would be okay for her to be the host, but then she suddenly said, "Foreverrrrr!" and I was so surprised (laughs). If I hadn't seen that, I wouldn't have thought Shimazu-san = Kodachi.

Sakuma: Kasumi-san and the like, I'm not really like that type of person... Hmm.

Shimazu: But those type of characters rarely come to me. They are all rather cheerful teenage girls... There were a lot of sudden changes, starting with Shinobu in Urusei (laugh).

The Secret to Hidaka-san's performance

The theme of this roundtable discussion is "The three girls surrounding Ranma"...

Hidaka: If that were the case, I'd have to take a step back. On the surface, I say "no, that's not me then" and I keep my feelings hidden deep inside, but these two are really stubborn (laughs).

Sakuma: Even if you hide your feelings away, it's still showing in your attitude.

Hidaka: Ah, I see (laughs). But I didn't think that cat Shampoo would really end up in the bath with Ranma and then suddenly they end up embracing each other naked. That's even more amazing than when Kodachi tried to kiss him on the roof.

Sakuma: But it doesn't bother me that much because it's so carefree. But depending on how you look at it, it's a big deal (laughs).

Hidaka: I think I'd be happy if I could do it like Kodachi. Don't think of everything in a good way... don't think of it in a bad way, like, "I'll crush anything that gets in my way!"

Shimazu: You have this image that you've created of yourself, like, "I'm elegant..." But I'm not elegant. What I do (laughs) is that kind of intense belief...

Sakuma: But it's a happy situation when you have such strong opinions.

Hidaka: That was weird, wasn't it? Kodachi says "I've given up," but then says "I'm burning with new love!"

Sakuma: In that respect, Akane is a bit pitiful. She can't express her feelings.

Hidaka: Even she's been showing them properly recently.

Sakuma: The kind that breaks things? (laughs)

Hidaka: No, I think for instance when Ranma turned into a cat and kissed me, Ranma didn't remember it well and I got mad and thought "So you could've kissed anyone."

When something like that happens, I get happy because I'm normally violent and then "here it comes!" (laughs)

Sakuma: All three of them are characters that take various aspects of a girl's personality to the extreme.

Hidaka: But lately Akane's just been getting angry at Ranma... it's getting to be hard on her. And after she yells at him, she starts to feel guilty.

So for example, when Akane calls out to Ranma and Shampoo comes out and pushes Akane away, I put a lot of effort into the acting of that moment when she gets pushed away. It was like, "I want people to sympathize with Akane more here." (laughs)

Shimazu: I understand that! I think it's important to take great care of your own character.

What does Ranma seem like to this trio?

So who do you think is the best male character in Ranma? Kuno and Ryoga are single-minded, but Ranma is indecisive and somehow popular (laughs).

Hidaka: Ranma's the most normal. But I think Ryoga-kun is the most popular! I'd be fine with Ryoga-kun too (laughs).

It's a pure love.

Sakuma: I guess people like Ranma-kun because he's a bit of a brat, or maybe because he still has a boyish side. And in the end, girls get tossed aside and cry, "I don't know what he's thinking!" That's how it feels.

Shimazu: In that sense, I don't think loyal boys are seen as very attractive...

Sakuma: The one chasing him is always excited, right? I'm sure they've felt that way. And Ranma-kun is strong, after all. If he was weak, he'd just be an indecisive guy (laughs).

Hidaka: Yes. Ranma doesn't say things like, "If only you'd said one more thing, it would be clear!" It's like one more word is missing. But I think Ranma is the best after all.

Shimazu: But I can't forgive him for not saying it out loud... or rather, I don't like it.

Hidaka: That's right, isn't it okay for Shampoo to like Mousse!?!?!?

Sakuma: Eh? Mousse is weird. (laughs)

Hidaka: Akane thinks Ranma might like her, so she can't bring herself to go along with Ryoga-kun, but Shampoo knows that Ranma likes Akane, so... this time, she should just turn around and go for Mousse! It might be a little weird though (laughs). Her feelings are unwavering!

Sakuma: Hmm, but I don't know. If he really hurts himself...

Hidaka: If Mousse just bought contact lenses, he'd be perfect!

(everyone laughs)

But I wonder how Takahashi-sensei will resolve this in the end.

Hidaka: What will she do?!?!

Sakuma: Maybe there will be a big twist... Mousse switching sides to Kodachi, or Ryoga and Shampoo... Or an unexpected ending with Nabiki and Ranma.

Hidaka: That's amazing. I can't stop thinking about it.

Sakuma: Maybe Ranma can't return to being a man and ends up with Kuno-san...

(laughs) Then everyone will be equal, and Shampoo, Kodachi and Akane will all have their hearts broken, right?

Hidaka: That's amazing! (laughs)

Shimazu: I'm glad the original author isn't Sakuma-san... (laughs).

Finally, let's have each character say a word to male Ranma.

Sakuma: Well, Shampoo-chan...I think she probably knows that Ranma-kun likes Akane. And while most people would back away at that, she still pushes through with the power of her love, saying "I love you!!!"...I want Ranma-kun to understand that cuteness.

I'm sure she'll continue to chase him... (laughs)

Hidaka: As for Akane... "If you're honest first, then I'll be honest too"... maybe?

What about Kodachi?

Shimazu: "It's fine. I'll be faithful until Ranma-sama turns his attention to me..." (laughs)

Sakuma: I'm absolutely convinced that he'll turn around! (laughs)

Hidaka: She'll say "I believe he'll turn around!" and make him turn around... (laughs)

Shimazu: If he doesn't turn around, she'll go ahead and do it for him! (laughs)

Hidaka: And she'll say "He turned around!" (laughs)

I see. Well then, please keep up the good work (!?) chasing Ranma (laughs). Thank you very much.

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Footnotes

• [1] Compared to the roles Rei Sakuma () had prior to joining Ranma 1/2, Shampoo would have been a departure for her. Her earlier work in anime included The Story of Pollyanna, Girl of Love (愛少女ポリアンナ物語/Ai Shōjo Porianna Monogatari) and Tales of Little Women (愛の若草物語/Ai no Wakakusa Monogatari). Shortly after being cast as Shampoo, she would gain her most famous and longest-running role as Batako-san in Anpanman (アンパンマン).
• [2] The way to portray "Chinese accents" in written manga is typically to add "aru yo" to the end of sentences. This is how Shampoo speaks in the manga (and this is not unique to Ranma 1/2 or Rumiko Takahahsi's work in general). You can read more about Shampoo's speech idiosyncrasies in our article on the topic.
• [3] Reiko Shiratori is the titular character from I Am Reiko Shiratori (白鳥麗子でございます!/Shiratori Reiko de gozaimasu!) about a wealthy city girl who goes to attend college at a rural school. The Kodansha manga series is by Yumiko Suzuki (鈴木由美子) and it has been adapted a number of time as a live-action drama. Seen here is a clip of Reiko Shiratori doing a very Kodachi-like laugh.
• [4] KAC is the "Kitty Animation Circle" the official fan club of Kitty Animation. Kitty Animation were responsible for Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku and Ranma 1/2.

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