April 1st
Rumiko Takahashi Talks Sci-Fi (English Dubbed)

We're trying something new with voice actress Katy Johnson (@KaniDayOfficial), she's given voice to an interview by Rumiko Takahashi for those that might enjoy listening to an audio version of one of our interview translations rather than reading it. Source: Rumic World YouTube Channel

MAO Chapter 270
Mei struggles with being asked to used a seed of haku to cure the curse on Kagari, when the cure will likely be nearly as bad as the death sentence Ayame has imposed upon her. Mao and Ayame commiserate over their failings to save Kagari and Soma from the clutures of the Goko Clan. Source: MAO Online

March 26th
Kazuo Umezu Tribute

Kazuo Umezu (Drifting Classroom, My Name is Shingo, Orochi), legendary horror manga artist passed way on October 28, 2024 and manga artists from all over the industry have gathered to pay tribute to his life and works in the recent issue of Monthly Spirits, you can view their contributions in our social feeds. Artists included are:

Moto Hagio/萩尾望都 (They Were 11, The Poe Clan, The Heart of Thomas)
Rumiko Takahashi/高橋留美子 (Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha, Kyokai no RINNE, MAO)
Masami Yuki/ゆうきまさみ (Patlabor, Jaja Uma Grooming Up, Birdy the Mighty)
Naoki Urusawa/浦沢直樹 (Fashionable Judo Girl Yawara, Monster, 20th Century Boys, Pluto, Billy Bat, Asadora)
Junji Ito/伊藤潤二 (Tomie, Uzumaki, Gyo, The Liminal Zone)
Noboru Takahashi/高橋のぼる (Mogura no Uta, Ryuuhou)
Usamaru Furuya/古屋兎丸 (Short Cuts, Gengaku Picasso, Lychee Light Club)
Inio Asano/浅野いにお (Goodnight Punpun, Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction, Mujina Into the Deep)
Shuzo Oshimi/押見修造 (Flowers of Evil, Blood on the Tracks)
George Morikawa/ジョージ (Hajime no Ippo)
Hirohiko Araki/荒木利之 (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)
Yusuke Murata/村田雄介 (Eyeshield 21, One-Punch Man)
Shoko Nakagawa/中川翔子 (Actress, Musician, Shokotan)
Source: Monthly Spirits

Anime Scramble Ends
Nonko and Nobita's Anime Scramble (ノン子とのび太のアニメスクランブル) has come to an end after 1730 episodes and has been on the radio since April 14, 1991. The show is hosted by Noriko Hidaka (Akane Tendo, Kikyo) and announcer Nobita Hasegawa and featured interviews with seiyuu and coverage of anime. Source: JOQR.co.jp

March 25th
MAO Chapter 269
Sisters do battle as Kagari and Ayame fight to the death, while Mao and Nanoka look on. Source: MAO Online

Yashahime Chapter 43
Calling on help from all their allies across time, Towa, Setsuna and Moroha battle against the Grim Comet, defeating it for good and stopping the threat to the earth, while Kirinmaru sees his plans come undone. Source: The Inuyasha Companion

March 22nd
Sunday Thanksgiving 2025

As the anniversary of Shonen Sunday has come around again this week, on March 21st, the editors, artists and assistants gathered to celebrate the magazine we all love so much. Rumiko Takahashi attended once again, alongside Ato Sakurai, Gosho Aoyama, Kazuhiro Fujita, Kenjiro Hata, writer Kyoichi Nanatsuki, and many more. This is the 8th time the event has been held, and the second year after a break for Covid-19 put the annual gathering on hold. Source: Kento Moriwaki's Twitter

March 21st
Tabeko Dobutsu x Ranma 1/2 Cross Promotion
To help promote the new film Tabekko Animals: The Movie (たべっ子どうぶつ THE MOVIE/Tabekko Dobutsu: The Movie) a special image of the Tabekko animals with animals from Ranma 1/2 illustrated in the Tabekko style has been released. Tabekko Animals are a Japanese brand of animal cookies that were created in 1978 and are featuring in an animated film to be released on May 1, 2025.

In honor of the collaboration Rumiko Takahashi commented, "The collaboration between the movie Tabekko Animals The Movie and the TV anime Ranma 1/2 is so cute and makes me happy!"

Additionally Shuji Miyamoto, the president of Ginbis Co. Ltd stated, "I am very honored to collaborate with Ranma 1/2. We have created a fun collaboration visual, so please enjoy it!" Stickers featuring the Tabekko Animals and Ranma 1/2 animals will be released at AnimeJapan 2025 from March 22nd to March 23rd at the ShoPro booth. Source: Ranma-PR.com

March 18th
MAO Chapter 268
Kagari fails in her attempted assassination of the assemblyman, but when she retreats to meet with Hakubi, he surprises her by showing his complete faith in her skills. Emboldened, Kagari renews her belief in becoming a Goko Clan assassin and tries again as Ayame vows to kill her little sister. Source: MAO Online

March 11th
MAO Chapter 267
With Soma still out of commission, Kagari decides to try to take his place and carry out a political assassination, however Mao, Nanoka and Ayame arrive to put a stop to it. Ayame, however, notices a strange aura threatening to engulf her little sister. Source: MAO Online

March 8th
Rumiko Takahashi vs Takako Takezawa
We have a newly translated interview from 1980 with Rumiko Takahashi at the beginning of her rise to fame. Joining her is a young, still struggling talent, Takako Takezawa (竹沢タカ子) who is hoping to find success as well. Source: Rumic World

March 6th
New Short Story - Himitsu o Kiipu
Rumiko Takahashi’s new short story Keep a Secret (秘密をキープ/Himitsu o Kiipu) has been previewed for the April 4th issue of Big Comic Original. Source: Mantan Web

March 4th
MAO Chapter 266
Renji and Mei are in over their heads as the ayakashi who have taken over the elderly care home reveal themselves. Mao and Nanoka race to help save their Goko Clan rivals, but Renji hardly seems appreciative of their generosity. Source: MAO Online

Urusei Yatsura Anime Exhibition Continues
In Shonen Sunday this week there is an ad for the continuation of the Urusei Yatsura anime exhibition from August 2024. The exhibition promises a new, life-sized Lum sculpture, objects and artwork from the anime's production as well as an original video for the exhibition, "Girl Hunt with Ataru" (あたると一緒にガールハント‼/Ataru to issho ni gaaru hantto!!), which will also be the theme of the exhibition's layout. The tour will be at the Niigata Manga and Anime Information Center from April 5th to May 6th and then Messe Shizuoka West Building, 2nd floor, 2nd small exhibition hall from July 26th to August 17th. Source: Shonen Sunday 2025 Vol. 14

Ranma 1/2 x Maru-Chan Ramen Promotion
Also in this week's Shonen Sunday is an advertisement for the Ranma 1/2 promotional crossover with Maru-chan's Zubaaan line of instant ramen. Ranma, Akane and Shampoo collectible cards are given away with a chance to be one of 900 winners of special t-shirts. Source: Shonen Sunday 2025 Vol. 14 and Zubaan.jp

March 1st
Ranma 1/2 Neighborhood Combat Advertisement

This month we're sharing a 1992 television advertisement for the Super Famicom game Ranma 1/2 Neighborhood Combat (らんま1/2 町内激闘篇/Ranma 1/2 Chounai Gekitouhen) over on our YouTube Channel. Source: Rumic World YouTube Channel

MAO Volume 23 Sales
For the week of February 17-24th MAO volume 23 debuted in the 13th position on the Oricon sales chart with a weekly total of 16,077 copies.

1. Shangri-la Frontier (シャングリラ・フロンティア) #21
2. Spring Storm and Monster (春の嵐とモンスター) #7
3. 40 Made ni Shitai 10 no Kato (40岁以前想达成的10件事) #2
4. Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy (月が導く異世界道中) #15
5. Four Knights of the Apocalypse (黙示録の四騎士) #20
6. MIX #22 (12 days)
7. World Trigger (ワールドトリガー) #28 (3 weeks)
8. A Sign of Affection (ゆびさきと恋々) #12 (11 days)
9. Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange (め組の大吾 救国のオレンジ) #11
10. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (転生したらスライムだった件) #28 (4 weeks)
13. MAO (マオ) #23

Source: Manga Codex Twitter

Febuary 25th
MAO Chapter 265
Mao and Nanoka stumble upon some shocking secrets in the basement of the old folks home, but Renji and Mei make an even more troubling discovery as they ascend the tower and confront the aid workers who have been caring for the elderly at the facility. Source: MAO Online

Yashahime Chapter 42
The girls race to Tokyo Tower to battle against the looming Grim Comet, but they quickly realize their strength alone will not be enough. Setsuna realizes there may be a way to reach for help in the past to battle against the celestial creature. Source: The Inuyasha Companion

February 18th
MAO Volume 23

MAO volume 23 is in stores today. Source: MAO Online

MAO Chapter 264
Mao and Nanoka find themselves investigating a care home for the elderly where Mei and Renji are also summoned to a job. It seems nurses have been disappearing, and even the elderly man financing the care home thinks the woman running it is not really who she claims to be. Source: MAO Online

February 17th
Megumi Hayashibara talks to DaVinci
We have a newly translated interview with Megumi Hayashibara (female Ranma) about working on the new Ranma 1/2 series as well as her thoughts on the old series. Source: Rumic World

Febuary 11th
MAO Chapter 263
Mao agrees to seal the Spear of Taima alongside Daigo, but when he returns to his home, the thought of his friends turning against him weighs heavily on his mind. To ease his troubles, Nanoka introduces Mao to chocolate. Source: MAO Online

Febuary 4th
MAO Chapter 262
Mao meets with Daigo who reveals the cause of the monstrous bear that has been attacking the forest. Mao struggles to understand if his old friend is really his ally, or is plotting to use the Spear of Taima against him. Source: MAO Online

February 1st
Urusei Yatsura Qoo10 Advertisement

This month we're sharing a brand new Urusei Yatsura advertisement that just debuted in Japan in January in conjunction with Qoo10, the online marketing platform. Source: Rumic World YouTube Channel

Frieren Comes to Visit

Rumiko Takahashi was excitedly tweeting today about Frieren coming to visit her home today. Frieren, the main character from Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (葬送のフリーレン) by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe. The Frieren Twitter account was also posting photographs of the visit. No word on if any of the Frieren's creators were on hand or if it was just the doll that paid the visit. The official Twitter of Frieren has shown the doll visiting various locations eaech day this month. Source: Rumiko Takahashi's Twitter & Official Frieren Twitter

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All series copyright Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan and Viz.