Ayane Sakura, renowned for her role as Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia, has taken on the challenging role of Kodachi Kuno in MAPPA’s highly anticipated 2024 remake of Ranma 1/2. As the eccentric younger sister of Tatewaki Kuno, Kodachi is a dynamic and iconic character, known for her fiery passion and relentless pursuit of Ranma Saotome’s affections. Despite only six episodes having aired so far, Sakura has already faced the physical and vocal demands of bringing this character to life.
In the original Ranma 1/2, Kodachi is famous for her dramatic displays, from her martial arts prowess to her over-the-top laughter. She often competes with Akane Tendo for Ranma’s heart, all while wielding her signature black ribbon. In a recent two-part interview with Mantan Web, Sakura revealed the difficulties she encountered while voicing Kodachi’s trademark laughter. “After laughing out loud, I ran out of oxygen and felt dizzy for a long time,” she shared. “I thought it must be very difficult to perform this every time… I was reminded once again that Kodachi really does have a lot of power.”
Sakura’s portrayal of Kodachi has not only been physically demanding but also mentally challenging. The actress expressed her nerves about stepping into a role made famous by Saeko Shimazu, who voiced the character in the original 1989 Ranma 1/2 anime. “Shimazu’s performance as Kodachi is perfectly balanced,” Sakura explained. “It’s incredibly outlandish and crazy, yet elegant, and the voice has an incredible range. The emotions that are in it are something that can never be imitated.” Aware of the legacy she was stepping into, Sakura admitted she was nervous on her first day of recording. “I imagined all the worst-case scenarios and headed to the studio,” she said. “I knew that the seniors I would be acting with were kind people, but I just wanted to make sure that no matter what happened, I wouldn’t let my nerves get the best of me.”
Joining a cast of seasoned Ranma 1/2 veterans, including Kappei Yamaguchi (Male Ranma), Megumi Hayashibara (Female Ranma), and Noriko Hidaka (Akane), only heightened Sakura’s initial anxiety. However, her colleagues’ praise quickly put her at ease. “I was treated like Kodachi,” she recalled. “Even after the recording was over, I received a lot of nice words. One senior said to me, ‘When I heard Ayane would be playing Kodachi, I knew it would be fine,’ and another said, ‘You were going all out; it was amazing.’ I felt like I was included in the group, and I was very happy.”
Sakura has also received encouraging feedback from Ranma 1/2 fans, many of whom are already familiar with her work in other popular anime, including Attack on Titan (as Gabi Braun) and The Quintessential Quintuplets (as Yotsuba Nakano). “I’ve been approached by many people all over the world who say, ‘Oh, you’ll be playing Kodachi, right?’ I’m deeply moved that we will be able to watch Ranma 1/2 in the Reiwa era,” she said.
While respecting the legacy of Kodachi’s original voice, Sakura is excited to bring her own interpretation to the character. “I am just so happy to be involved with Ranma 1/2. Shimazu-san’s Kodachi occupies the image of Kodachi in my mind, and I’m sure that this is true for everyone even more than [myself],” Sakura explained. “I would like to continue to work hard at recording so that I can properly carry on the voice and spirit of Kodachi that Shimazu-san has always cherished.”
The Ranma 1/2 remake is currently available for streaming on Netflix, with the next episode, featuring a high-stakes gymnastics battle between Ranma and Kodachi, set to premiere on November 16.
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