"Shampoo is Joining?!" Numerous Surprised Reactions to the Unusual Collaboration Illustration Between "Ranma 1/2" and "Honkai: Star Rail"

The official X account of the "Ranma 1/2" TV anime has released a collaboration illustration commemorating the opening of the Land of Bliss - Penacony in the game "Honkai: Star Rail," generating significant buzz.

The post unveiled an illustration featuring Yao Guang (CV: Inori Minase), a character from the game, and Shampoo (CV: Rei Sakuma), who appears in the anime, along with a comment that read "Releasing a collaboration illustration to commemorate the opening of the Land of Bliss - Penacony." The text accompanying the image reads "A radical duo that goes their own way: 'You must look only at us,'" incorporating Shampoo's distinctive speech pattern.

The released image is a collaboration illustration depicting Shampoo and Yao Guang standing side by side, dressed in oriental attire. Against a background adorned with Chinese-style designs, the illustration features Shampoo in a pink cheongsam, smiling and striking a pose, alongside Yao Guang in a cool-looking outfit with white hair decorated with blue and green feather ornaments.

The anime "Ranma 1/2" is based on a hugely popular comic by Rumiko Takahashi. It is a slapstick martial arts romantic comedy centered around the protagonist Ranma Saotome, who gained a mysterious condition during training at Jusenkyo in China where he transforms into a girl when splashed with cold water and back into a boy with hot water, and his fiancée Akane Tendō, along with a cast of unique characters. A completely new anime series has been airing since October 2024, receiving tremendous response.

Regarding this unexpected collaboration, fans have expressed surprise and delight with comments such as "S...seriously, this was totally unexpected," "Does this mean Shampoo is joining?!," "First Umamusume and now this - what's up with these recent collaborations?," and "How far is HoYoverse extending their promotional reach?"

(C)高橋留美子・小学館／「らんま1/2」製作委員会