Ranma ½

Hilarious combination of slapstick and romantic comedy features two young martial artists, betrothed against their will by their fathers. Ranma, the boy, is cursed to change into a girl when splashed with cold water (he changes back with hot water.) Akane, the girl, is a tomboy with a violent temper. Their messed-up lives are further complicated with rival fiancees and would-be fiancees, etc. Lots of martial arts action, jealous rages, mistaken identities, and knockabout comedy with the occasional tender moment. The strong characterizations make this series a standout and a cult favorite. For more info, there are about a million sites on this series on the Web.

At first, I was reluctant to see Ranma ½ , having heard it described as a gratuitous slapstick comedy, but I've changed my mind.

Ranma is one of the cutest and dearest series you will ever watch. On the surface, it is about a young man with a terrible, but comical curse who has a fiancée he is not too fond of. That in itself (the curse) is extraordinary, but the meaningful characters make Ranma ½ so much more.

In Ranma, things are not always what they seem, and besides the protagonist's dilemma, there's Akane, Ranma's fiancée. If I have to name my favorite character of all time, it must be Akane. (Much of this review is due to her.) Although Akane seems to be only a girl of violent temperament, she is really, deep down, gentle and eager to be more feminine and dear. Her hidden character glimmers through sometimes during the show, like when she tells Ranma something to the effect of, "I know you're not telling the truth when you say I'm cute, but I'm just happy you said it." (Ranma's bewildered facial reaction is, 'she really is cute'). Akane's model is her eldest sister, Kasumi, who is the epitome of Japanese feminine grace and beauty. (The show also focuses on Ranma and Akane's growing affection/love for each other.)

Of course, what would Ranma ½ be without the humor and the wit of which it has been so lauded for? The host of magically-cursed humans, especially the panda, is very cute and funny, and the fantastically silly Tendo-dojo is a place of endless fiancé and family fights (literally). There are many plays on words that non-Japanese speakers would miss (like how Ranma's last name foreshadows his curse, and Akane's name means crimson, scarlet). There are some gratuitous displays that would make some people blush, but you must keep in mind that Japanese view nudity in a different, less severe way, than the West.

I have seen an episode of Ranma ½ in English dubbed, and I recommend that you *never* see this version. The dubbing does no justice to the characters, especially Ranma and Akane, making them too forceful. If you have the means, see the original version or the subtitled version and enjoy the nuances of the voices.

I love this anime! I was laughing my head off with all of the jokes and the violence (mostly from Akane Ranma's reluctant but short tempered "fiancee")is so slapstick however Ranma does deserve it but he does try his best to make amends...clumsily. The main character Ranma goes to China to train only to fall into the cursed Jusenkkyo Spring and turns into a girl when splashed by cold water. From then on it's pure chaos one after another. Among the stand outs are the deranged brother and sister duo of Kuno and Kodachi, the sexy Shampoo, the pervert Happosai all causing trouble for our hero/heroine. However it is Ranma's selfish father Genma who winds up being the culprit for the mess most of the time. If anyone want an anime that's funny, this is the one. It's cuter and better with the Japanese dub.

Where to start, where to start?!? Ranma 1/2 is possibly the greatest Anime series ever produced, written by the ever talented Rumiko Takahashi, based on the MANGA of the same name. It has it all, romance, comedy, and the GREATEST CAST OF CHARACTERS TO HIT MEDIA SINCE THE "A-Team!!!" But seriously though, Ranma 1/2 follows the plot of a young japanese boy going through an identity crisis of sorts. You see, whenever Ranma Saotome is splashed with cold water he, becomes a 'she'. This is all due to some

strange Chinese Curse, that he acquired on a training trip through China. The meat and bones of the series deal with Ranma's attempts to cure himself while dealing with numerous fiancees' none of his choice I might add. You see, Ranma's father is a bit of a heel. Genma Saotome, who takes the form of a giant Panda

when wet has eveidently arranged for Ranma to merry into the family of his(Genma's) closest friend Soun Tendo. Soun ole' boy gets a little more than he bargained for. In addition to being promised to one of Soun's daughters, Ranma has also been promised to at least 3 others. In the

end Soun decides it best to give Ranma his daughter Akane, whom at first, shares Ranma's extreme dislike for the entire situation. What makes Ranma 1/2 so great is the characters, and their very interesting personal relationships. The chemistry between Ranma and the rest of the cast is adorable. For example, Ranma while on the outside, rejecting Akane, deeply loves her, this

makes for a very heart-warming main plotline. In addition to the deep dramatic overtones, Ranma happens to be very funny. If you

can stand japanese slapstick, mixed with heartwarming drama, I

suggest you do as I did and START WATCHING RANMA IMMEDIATELY!!

What more can I say? This show is the best anime show I've seen and is perhaps the first one to get me into that genre among others. I first laughed at the title, because it sounded ridiculous, and I was new to this, and I was just a kid. And as I watched, I laughed even more, to learn this is worthwhile and a great show, a great love comedy or martial arts show. With references to ancient China and traditions, except turned upside down to bring hilarious and chaotic results! And the character are unforgettable, Kuno Tatewake, Ryoga who is stupid but my favorite character of the show! Mousse, Cologne, Happosai, Akane and Genma, and not to mention Ranma's other suitors, Shampoo, Kodachi, Ukyo, this came before Tenchi Muyo! to those who say harem anime was copied from Tenchi! Without a doubt, this is a very funny and memorable show brought to you by Rumiko Takahashi who also made Inu Yasha, Maison Ikkoku, Urusei Yatsura and Fire Tripper. Great show, recommended to all fans of the shows mentioned earlier. >>>>> 10/10