Ranma 1/2, Rumiko Takahashi's blockbusting sexual comedy.
Let's start off with some history about this popular show. Rumiko Takahashi, the creator of popular manga's such as Urusei Yatsura and Inu Yasha began Ranma 1/2 in the late 1980's, the first issue coming out in September 1987. On April 15, 1989 in Japan the Ranma 1/2 anime television series debuted. Gradually the ratings grew and grew.

It's quite safe to say that the popularity of Ranma 1/2 has made Rumiko Takashi quite rich (I believe I've heard at some point the 13th richest person in Japan). And of course Ranma 1/2 has earned all this popularity and then some. Watching Ranma 1/2 will provoke and bring around a sea of emotions and thoughts in your head that will leave you as confused and headspun as poor Ranma.

The whole of Ranma 1/2 is built around the cursed springs of Jusenkyo, a popular training ground for aspiring martial artists. Each spring in Jusenkyo is cursed and has had it's own tragedy happen in it. That is to say that each spring has had something drown in it (from frogs to ducks to cats to teen aged girls) and if someone is unfortunate enough to fall into a spring then he/she will turn into whatever drowned in that spring. The only way to turn back is to be splashed with hot water. However when splashed with cold water you again turn into whatever creature that has drowned in the spring.

Ranma Saotome and his father, Genma Saotome (of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts) venture to China to train at the cursed springs of Jusenkyo and (of course) fall in before the guide can warn them of the treacherous effects of the water. Genma has the fortune of landing in a spring of drowned panda thus turning into a panda when splashed with cold water. I say Genma is fortunate because poor Ranma falls into the spring of drowned Girl, and turns into a full busted teenage girl when splashed with cold water. Imagine the havoc this would play on a teen aged boy's mind, not to mention his hormones.

Ranma and his father make their way back to Japan to the Tendou dojo, home of Soun Tendou and his three daughters: Akane the tomboy, Nabiki the entrepreneur, and Kasumi the home-maker. Needless to say Soun didn't exactly recognize his friend Genma when he walks in as a panda. After the havoc that follows is sorted out Ranma in girl form takes a hot bath and Akane learns of his male side in quite a shocking trip to the bathroom.

As if the mistaken gender issue wasn't enough Soun and Genma decide to arrange a marriage between Ranma and Akane so the Tendou training hall will have a male heir. Both being freshmen in high school coming to terms with this marriage is hard enough. But with Akane's tomboyish attitude and Ranma's sex changing problems and bad attitude getting in the way things don't exactly go well. But Ranma and his father begin to live at the dojo with the Tendou's nonetheless.

The madness that follows is all on tape, folks, and I highly recommend this anime! From the intense martial arts battles, to the multiple love feuds that Ranma finds himself in (both female AND male chasing after him) there is plenty of entertainment for everyone.

I personally give this series a 10/10 (what did you expect, its my favorite anime). It has an excellent plot train, with each episode keeping your interest, better then good character development and endless amounts of intense comedy packed into it. Enjoy!

Tetsubo

Add Comment | View Comments