Summary
- Ichiro first appeared in Season 1, Episode 2 as Furinkan High’s press corps member.
- Ichiro’s Japanese voice actor, Tomokazu Seki, has connections to Inuyasha.
- Season 1, Episode 10 highlights Ichiro as comic relief with pop culture references.
As a longtime fan of anime and a connoisseur of witty dialogue, I must say that Ichiro is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in this new iteration of Ranma 1/2. His quick-wit, pop culture references, and mastery of the written word are simply delightful to behold.
The anime “Ranma ½” showcases characters who are typical high school personas taken to an extreme level. Characters such as the fiercely competitive rhythmic gymnast Kodachi Kuno and the flirtatious figure skater Mikado Sanzenin can be found in this series. In contrast, Netflix’s “Ranma ½” remake introduces a fresh student at Furinkan High School, Ichiro, who is part of the lively broadcast club.
Who exactly is Ichiro, other than ‘The Radio Club Guy‘? He has announced numerous sporting competitions, such as the martial rhythmic gymnastics match and the figure skating team tournament. It appears that Ichiro may receive more broadcast time with each martial arts confrontation between Ranma and Akane. However, will Ichiro assume a larger role in the storyline of Ranma 1/2, or is he merely a storytelling tool?
Ichiro First Appeared in Season 1, Episode 2
He Could Play a Bigger Role as Furinkan High’s Fourth Estate
Whenever major events happen at Furinkan High School, Ichiro makes sure he gets the scoop first. In season 1, episode 2, “I Hate Men,” viewers were introduced to this broadcasting club member as he relentlessly questioned Ranma about his engagement with Akane. It’s evident that Ichiro plays a substantial role in Furinkan High’s journalistic circle.
Ever since then, Ichiro has become a regular supporting character, offering play-by-play accounts of numerous school competitions. Notably, his next prominent role was in season 1, episode 4, titled “The Fighter,” where he narrated the intense clash between Ranma and Ryoga on field 2 at school. Following that, Ichiro reappeared during the Kodachi Kuno storyline. More recently, he provided color commentary for the Charlotte Cup event.
Although Ichiro hasn’t directly shaped the storyline of Ranma 1/2 so far, fans should anticipate seeing him play a larger part in upcoming episodes. This is suggested by the hints given by @ranma_pr about Ichiro on occasion X, which implies that his character is not merely a minor supporting role.
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
Did you know that Ichiro shares a link with another work by Rumiko Takahashi, Inuyasha? The Netflix series features voice actor Tomokazu Seki as Ichiro. Interestingly, Seki has also lent his voice to Menōmaru in the movie Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time.
In the upcoming series “Ranma 1/2 (2024),” the English voice actor is Andrew Frankel, who has previously starred in shows like “Jellystone” on HBOmax and “Gus the Itsy Bitsy Knight.
Seki is a seasoned voice actor who boasts an impressive portfolio of work. In the realm of anime, he has brought to life enigmatic characters such as Toya Kinomoto from the series Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card and Panda in Jujutsu Kaisen. Additionally, he has lent his voice to international releases like Disney’s hit movie, Encanto.
Given Seki’s exceptional skills and background, some spectators surmise that the character Ichiro might have been specifically tailored for him. Moreover, incorporating a well-known voice actor in your anime could potentially attract viewers who aren’t as familiar with Ranma 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 in Ranma 1/2‘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.” | G.I. Joe |
| “When I’ve fallen and I can’t get up,” | Life Call commercial |
| “na-noo, na-noo.” | Mork and Mindy |
Just to clarify, that brief excerpt packs in four references to ’80s movies and shows in just under seven seconds. It’s clear that someone deeply immersed in media, like a member of the broadcasting club, would need to consume vast amounts of content. (By the way, one can’t help but wonder: is Ichiro part of the drama club as well? Imagine how entertaining an episode featuring them both would be!)
According to the official Ranma (2024) site, Ichiro goes by the nickname ‘the word sorcerer’ due to his ability to effortlessly shape words. After witnessing his skillful application of imagery, antithesis, synonyms, and homonyms in episode 10’s recap, it is evident that Ichiro truly deserves this title. We can’t wait to find out what enchanting verbal feats the ‘word sorcerer’ will perform next!
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2024-12-12 23:34