Rumic Theater (高橋留美子劇場, Takahashi Rumiko Gekijō), or Rumiko Takahashi Anthology (高橋留美子傑作集, Takahashi Rumiko Kessakushū), is a Japanese manga series composed of short stories written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. New stories are published annually in Shogakukan's Big Comic Original magazine (and other Shogakukan magazines), and have been since 1987.
A 13-episode anime adaptation of these short stories was produced by TMS Entertainment and broadcast on TV Tokyo from July to September 2003, followed by the sequel series Rumic Theater: Mermaid Forest, adapting Takahashi's Mermaid Saga. A two-episode Japanese television drama based on the stories was broadcast on NHK-BS Premium in July 2012.
Media
Manga
Rumic Theater is a series of manga short stories published periodically by Rumiko Takahashi Shogakukan's Big Comic Original and other Shogakukan magazines since 1987.[1] An English language collection by Viz Media was released in two volumes on June 5, 1996, and June 5, 1998,[2][3] the first corresponding to the volume The Tragedy of P, but the second being a release of Rumic World's One or Double collection.
In June 2003, the July issue of Animage announced that an anime adaptation of Rumic Theater produced by TMS Entertainment and directed by Akira Nishimori would premiere on TV Tokyo on July 5, 2003.[9] The series ran for 13 episodes until September 27, 2003.[10]
In North America, Geneon Entertainment licensed the series for English language release. They released the series on four DVDs from January 11 to July 19, 2005.[11][12][13][14]
Episodes
Episode 1
"The Tragedy of P" (Pの悲劇, P no Higeki) – July 5, 2003
Summary: It follows the struggle of Mrs. Haga to keep her guest, Pitto the penguin, out of sight from Mrs. Kakei, the resident tattletale who will report the bird's violation of the pet free apartment building.
"The Merchant of Romance" (浪漫の商人, Roman no Akindo) – July 12, 2003
Summary: A wedding chapel that has fallen on hard times struggles to stay in business while its young owner deals with her recent divorce and the burden of keeping her friends employed.
"Middle-Aged Teen" (おやじローティーン, Oyaji Rō Tīn) – July 19, 2003
Summary: A tough, business-minded father loses his memory and believes he is a teenager. He meets a young school girl and cannot help but become smitten with her.
Characters
Toshio Furuda (古田 年男, Furuda Toshio)
Voiced by: Akira Kamiya (Japanese); Doug Stone (English)
Kazuko (和子)
Voiced by: Kazuko Sugiyama (Japanese); Sonja S. Fox (English)
Minoru Furuda (古田 稔, Furuda Minoru)
Voiced by: Kappei Yamaguchi (Japanese); Kevin Hatcher (English)
Emiri (絵美理)
Voiced by: Satsuki Yukino (Japanese); Jennifer Sekiguchi (English)
Episode 4
"Hidden in the Pottery" (鉢の中, Hachi no Naka) – July 26, 2003
Summary: Mrs. Asakawa suspects her neighbor of beating her elderly mother-in-law being responsible for the death of her husband. The mystery unfolds when Mrs. Asakawa makes a shocking discovery hidden inside a potted plant.
Voiced by: Wataru Takagi (Japanese); Sam Regal (English)
Episode 5
"Aberrant Family F" (迷走家族F, Meisō Kazoku F) – August 2, 2003
Summary: Hazuki's family is virtually in the poorhouse. Therefore, she is shocked when her father decides to go on an expensive family vacation. Soon she suspects that her father's motives may involve a suicide pact for her and her family.
"As Long As You Are Here" (君がいるだけで, Kimi ga Iru Dake de) – August 9, 2003
Summary: When Mr. Domoto is laid off of his prestigious job as a salaryman, his wife falls ill and asks him to fill in for her at the convenience store. There, his rough personality doesn't mesh well with his co-workers, but he learns from a hard-working foreigner named Achara to persevere.
"One Hundred Years of Love" (百年の恋, Hyaku-nen no Koi) – August 16, 2003
Summary: Risa Hoshino comes back from the dead with amazing telekinetic powers. The old woman develops a crush on another patient and believes him to be the reincarnation of her jilted lover from decades ago.
Characters
Risa Hoshino (星野りさ, Hoshino Risa)
Voiced by: Hiroko Emori (Japanese); Louise Chamis (English)
"In Lieu of Thanks" (お礼にかえて, Orei ni kaete) – August 23, 2003
Summary: Mrs. Kobato finds herself in the middle of a battle between the stuck-up Mrs. Shiratori and the elderly Mrs. Ukai, who eventually bring a crab and a bird into the argument.
Voiced by: Wataru Takagi (Japanese); Jay Klein (English)
Kobato's Son
Voiced by: Asako Dodo (Japanese); Barbara Goodson (English)
Episode 9
"Living Room Lovesong" (茶の間のラブソング, Chanoma no Rabu Songu) – August 30, 2003
Summary: A middle-aged man loses his wife, yet his wife's soul is bothered by the fact that he does not cry at her funeral. Her spirit soon returns to haunt him as he begins to develop feelings for the young office worker at his company.
"House of Garbage" (ポイの家, Poi no Uchi) – September 6, 2003
Summary: The Hirooka's front door is mistaken for a garbage drop spot, and when the Boss's wife starts throwing out his favorite things, Ritsuko and Yoshio have to do everything they can to save the tacky items, or risk losing a promotion.
"One Day Dream" (日帰りの夢, Higaeri no Yume) – September 13, 2003
Summary: Shinonome is a downtrodden company man who is going through life without finding true happiness. His junior high school reunion soon rolls around and his thoughts turn to a girl he once loved named Shima.
Characters
Mr. Shinonome (東雲, Shinonome)
Voiced by: Akira Kamiya (Japanese); Jackson Daniels (English)
Voiced by: Mari Maruta (Japanese); Carrie Savage (English)
Episode 12
"Extra-Large Size Happiness" (Lサイズの幸福, L Saizu no Shiawase) – September 20, 2003
Summary: Ryuuichi's mother, Kayoko moves in with her son and his young wife, Hanako. But problems start to arise when Hanako starts behaving oddly and risking the anger of her mother-in-law who they are counting on to invest in their new home. Hanako claims a large spirit is the cause, but only she can see him.
Characters
Hanako (華子)
Voiced by: Gara Takashima (Japanese); Kirsten Potter (English)
Kayoko (加代子)
Voiced by: Masako Kyoda (Japanese); Sonja S. Fox (English)
"The Executive's Dog" (専務の犬, Senmu no Inu) – September 27, 2003
Summary: The Kogure's are asked to take care of Mr. Matsurida's dog Gorgeous, but when his mistress moves in and the children draw eyebrows on the dog, things become complicated.
A two-episode television drama adaptation was broadcast on NHK-BS Premium.[15] The first episode adapted the "Red Bouquet", "Hidden in the Pottery" and "Aberrant Family F" stories, and the second adapted "The Executive's Dog", "Birds of Fate" and "As Long As You Are Here".[16] Both episodes aired on July 8 and July 15, 2012, respectively.[17]
