RANMA ½, Volume 3 Blu-ray & DVD box sets available September 16th

© Rumiko Takahashi / Shogakukan

 VIZ MEDIA RELEASES RANMA ½ ANIME SERIES

VOLUME 3 LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY BOX SET

Latest Home Media Edition For Legendary Martial Arts Comedy

Presented In Beautiful High Definition In A 3-Disc Set Filled With

Special Bonus Features; Standard Edition DVD Also Available

VIZ Media has announced the latest installment of digitally restored RANMA ½ episodes with the release this coming Tuesday, September 16th of Set 3 of the classic anime series in new High Definition Limited Edition Blu-ray as well as a Standard Edition DVD Set.

The RANMA ½ Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set, Set 3 contains Episodes 47-69 of the venerable gender-bending martial arts action comedy based on the celebrated manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi. The RANMA ½ Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set, Set 3 will carry an MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $63.99 CAN and features 23 episodes on 3 discs, presented for the first time in full 1080p High Definition resolution with the series’ original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio. The Standard Edition DVD will be available with an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $51.99 CAN. The series is rated ‘TV-14.’

The latest RANMA ½ home media editions continue the series’ premium presentation with the Limited Edition Blu-ray version packaged in a high quality chipboard box with gold foil stamping, beautifully illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi, along with a 32-page booklet, complete episode guide, and a collectable full-color RANMA ½ art card. Notable bonus features offered exclusively on the Blu-ray edition include, ’We Love Ranma Part 3 – The Appeal Of Ranma ½,’ the newest installment of an ongoing series of insightful interviews tracing the legacy and impact of the groundbreaking anime property.

The RANMA ½ Standard Edition DVD set contains 23 remastered episodes presented with the original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio and bonus features that include clean openings and endings and trailers.

Dialogue options for both DVD and Blu-ray formats include original Japanese with re-done English subtitles or dubbed English audio, along with a secondary subtitle track for signs and songs.

In this acclaimed anime series, Ranma Saotome never thought a martial arts training mission to China would turn out like this! An accidental dunk in a cursed spring changes boy Ranma into a young girl, every time he is splashed with cold water. Hot water reverses the effect - but only until next time.

In the latest collection of episodes, things just can't stay quiet at the Tendo Dojo. After a morning ruckus, Ranma hits his head, falls into water, and turns completely into a girl. Now, even when Ranma transforms back into a boy, he still thinks he's a girl! Things become even more complicated when Shampoo, still in love with Ranma, gets a surprise visit from Chinese Amazon twin sisters Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung, two of her protégées who have it in for Ranma. Then, after Soun and Genma's master, Happosai, uses maxihustion to weaken Ranma, he must master a new legendary technique and defeat Happosai to become strong again. Everything culminates in a final battle against Happosai as Ranma fights to regain his strength.

RANMA ½ manga creator Rumiko Takahashi is one of Japan’s most prolific and respected manga artists and is the creator of several long running series including MAISON IKKOKU, RANMA ½, and INUYASHA – all published in North America by VIZ Media. The spotlight on her prolific career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and also spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another— MAISON IKKOKU ran from 1980 to 1987, RANMA ½ from 1987 to 1996, and INUYASHA from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include MERMAID SAGA, RUMIC THEATER, ONE-POUND GOSPEL, and RIN-NE (all also published in North America by VIZ Media).

For more information on RANMA ½ and other Rumiko Takahashi titles published by VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.