Rumiko Takahashi Interview - This is How the Secret Techniques of Ranma and Ryoga Were Created!

Translated by: Laura Arias Moreno

“When I am playing Chougi Rambuhen, I play with Ranma!”

On this occassion, you also illustrated the cover for this book, but regarding the illustration for the game, is there something you are more consciously aware of? ^[1]

Takahashi: Since I had to introduce the characters to the public for the game, I drew them all, and I like when I have to draw a lot of characters. So I enjoyed it a lot.

Have you played Chougi Rambuhen already?

Takahashi:No, I have still not received it. Are you refering to the previous one, Bakuretsu Rantohen? I love that one and I played it a lot but I usually don't play videogames (laughs). However, I enjoy giving my support to those who play fighting games.

When you do eventually play Chougi Rambuhen, which character do you want to use?

Takahashi: Ranma, of course. He is the protagonist so I want to see if he is powerful or not.

“I created the Hiryu Shoten Ha from the drain of the bathtub.”

In Ranma, we can see a lot of techniques and special attacks. Did you research various martial arts?

Takahashi: I've loved boxing and sumo since I was a child. ^[2]

That's quite unexpected.

Takahashi: In sumo, I am a fan of Akebono. ^[3] However, in Ranma 1/2 you can see martial arts from China. Rather than doing research, I watch a lot of Jackie Chan films. I think he rocks.

All of the characters have their own techniques. What is the most difficult part about that?

Takahashi: Well, the technique suits the character and the atmosphere. Apart from that, thinking of an appropiate name is also hard.

Which one was the hardest to work out?

Takahashi: Ryoga’s Shishi Hokodan. ^[4] It is a technique used by accumulating “ki” and shooting it but when you face unpleasant or sad circumstances it gets heavier and boosts its power (laughs).

His unrequited love for Akane, his lack of sense of direction... The technique suits him perfectly, it is the perfect the image of the unlucky Ryoga.

Takahashi: At the beginning, it was meant to be a more serious technique. However, since Ranma 1/2 is a comedy manga, it eventually changed.

That’s the reason why the opposite technique “Moko Takabisha” which is focused on being confident and strong-willed, was born, right? Well, from where did you get the idea for the “Hiryu Shoten Ha”? ^[5]

Takahashi: Well, I figured it out while I was taking a bath. When removing the drain cap, the water gets drained by forming a whirpool, right? So when I saw that, I thought “That’s it, I'll make it a whirpool! (laughs)

I see, so the technique was created by a regular sense of observation. Well, we are looking forward to enjoying your funny series. Thank you so much for chatting with us today.

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Footnotes

• [1] The book that contains this interview also contains two other interviews. The "Development Staff Interview" with the staff of the game which includes Satoshi Arai (public relations manager), Tetsuro Maru (game design), Hajime Kimura (story), Takashi Kawarabuki (main programmer) and Kunihiko Kagawa (director). The other interview is "Ranma 1/2 Three Lady Voice Actress Roundtable: Learn My Secret Techniques" which is an interview with the voice actresses of Ukyo, female Ranma and Akane (Hiromi Tsuru, Megumi Hayashibara and Noriko Hidaka).
• [2] Rumiko Takahashi is an avid boxing, sumo and professional wrestling fan. She interviewed WBC super bantamweight world champion Kiyoshi Hatanaka and discussed the fights she attended in the table of contents questionaires in Shonen Sunday each week.
• [3] Akebono Taro (曙太郎), born Chadwick Haheo Rowan in Hawaii, USA, is the first non-Japanese sumo wrestler to become a yokozuna, the highest rank in the sport. Takahashi mentions liking him again in a 2000 interview.
• [4] "Shishi Hokodan" (獅子咆哮弾) means "Lion's Roar Shot".
• [5] "Moko Takabisha" (猛虎高飛車) translates as "Pride of the Fierce Tiger," while "Hiryu Shoten Ha" (飛竜昇天破) is the "Dragon's Heaven Blast".

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