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Ranma 1/2features a cast of high school archetypes cranked up to eleven. Examples include the ultra-competitive rhythmic gymnast Kodachi Kuno and the womanizing figure skater Mikado Sanzenin. However, Netflix’sRanma 1/2reboot introduces a new student to Furinkan High, the high-energy broadcast club member Ichiro.
So, who is Ichiro (besides being ‘That Radio Club Guy’)? He’s narrated several sporting events, including the martial rhythmic gymnastics face-off and the figure skating team battle. Ichiro will likely get more air time with each martial arts showdown that Ranma and Akane encounter. But will Ichiro play a more prominent role inRanma 1/2’splot moving forward, or is he simply a narrative device?
Ichiro First Appeared in Season 1, Episode 2
He Could Play a Bigger Role as Furinkan High’s Fourth Estate
Whenever big news hits Furinkan High School, Ichiro ensures he’s the first to cover it. Viewers first met the broadcasting club personality in season 1, episode 2, “I Hate Men,” hounding Ranma with questions regarding his engagement with Akane. It’s clear Ichiro is a significant part of Furinkan High’s press corps.
Since then, Ichiro has been a mainstay tertiary character, givingplay-by-plays of several school face-offs. His next significant appearance was in season 1, episode 4, “The Fighter,” when he recounted Ranma and Ryoga’s heated confrontation on school field 2. After that, Ichiro returned for the Kodachi Kuno arc. Most recently, he provided color commentary for the Charlotte Cup.
While Ichiro hasn’t directly influencedRanma 1/2’splotyet, fans can expect to see more of him in the future. After all, @ranma_pr teased Ichiro on X ahead of episode 2, indicating his role is more than a minor co-star.
Ichiro does not pose a substantial physical threat(he barely lifted Ryoga’s umbrella before throwing his back out). However, Ichiro’s investigative instincts are pretty dangerous to both Ranma and Ryoga. If the aspiring reporter discovers their secret, the two cursed teenagers will have a challenging future at Furinkan High.
Ichiro’s Japanese Voice Actor Worked On Another Takahashi Anime
Fans Speculate That Reboot Created Ichiro for Tomokazu Seki
Here’s a fun fact: Ichiro shares a connection with another Rumiko Takahashi IP,Inuyasha. The Netflix series castJapanese voice actor Tomokazu Seki as Ichiro. And Seki’s various credits include playing Menōmaru in the filmInuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time.
Ranma 1/2 (2024) ‘sEnglish voice actor is Andrew Frankel, known for roles inJellystoneon HBOmax andGus the Itsy Bitsy Knight.
Seki is a voice-acting veteran with an extensive resume. His anime roles include enigmatic characters like Toya Kinomoto inCardcaptor Sakura: Clear CardandPanda inJujutsu Kaisen. He’s also dubbed international releases, including Disney’s blockbusterEncanto.
Considering Seki’s talent and experience, some fans speculate thatIchiro was explicitly written for him. Additionally, casting a notable voice actor in your series can bring in more viewers who are less familiar withRanma 1/2.
Season 1, Episode 10 Spotlights Ichiro as Comic Relief
This Episode Also Showcases His Love for TV and Film
Regardless of Ichiro’s role inRanma1/2’s plot, one can’t deny the character’s comedic appeal. One standout scene from the series is Ichiro’s recap at the beginning of season 1, episode 10, “Kiss of Death.” After recounting Akane and Ranma’s first bout against Mikado Sanzenin and Azusa Shiratori, the announcer vamps into a rapid-fire assault of pop culture references:
Line
Reference
“I pity the fool that doesn’t realize the balcony is closed,”
Rocky 3(and later, Mr. T’s official catchphrase)
“but knowing is half the battle.”
“When I’ve fallen and I can’t get up,”
“na-noo, na-noo.”
Mork and Mindy
For the record, that passage includes four80s film and TV referencesin less than seven seconds. Naturally, a member of the broadcasting club must consume a ton of media. (Which begs the question: is Ichiro also in the drama club? How fun wouldthatepisode be!)
The official Ranma (2024) website statesthat Ichiro is “known as the ‘word magician’ because he can manipulate words with ease.” After listening to his masterful use of imagery, antithesis, synonyms, and homonyms - just in the episode 10 recap alone - there is no denying that Ichiro lives up to this title. It will be exciting to see what tricks the “word magician” will conjure up next!
Ranma 1/2
In this comedic series, martial artist Ranma Saotome navigates life with a unique predicament: he transforms into a girl when splashed with cold water. His engagement to Akane Tendo adds further complexity, as they encounter numerous challenges within familial and martial arts dynamics.
