【Ranma ½】Explosive and hilarious manga series from the author of Inuyasha and Urusei Yatsura!

Ranma ½ is a manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi, the author that created Urusei Yatsura and Inuyasha. The manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday by Shogakukan from August 1987 to March 1996, with a total of 38 volumes.

Ranma ½ was hugely popular since its first release thanks to a colorful cast of character and hilarious scenarios where the main protagonist willingly utilizes his “quirk” to advance his goals. As of April 2021, the manga had over 55 million copies in circulation.

Following the success of the manga, 2 anime series by Studio Deen named Ranma ½ and Ranma ½ Nettohen were broadcasted on Fuji TV from 1989 to 1992. Later, 12 OVAs and 3 film inspired by Ranma ½ were also released by Studio Deen. The 3 theatrical films include The Battle of Nekonron, China! A Battle to Defy the Rules! (1991), Battle at Togenkyo! Get Back the Brides (1992) and Super Indiscriminate Decisive Battle! Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix (1994).

The story of Ranma ½ started with a postcard addressed to Soun Tendo with a message saying “I’m bringing Ranma from China”. That postcard was from Soun’s long-time friend Genma Saotome and he was bringing his son to meet the Tendo family. The message left Soun in tears of happiness.

Once the tears stopped, Soun called all his daughters – Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane, to tell them the news. Kasumi and Nabiki were already at home while Akane was out jogging. Right when she returned, Akane changed into her karate uniform and broke a pile of wooden planks in half. Nabiki told Akane that it was no wonder boys would think of her as a weird girl. Akane didn’t care about boys nor their opinions.

Akane, Nabiki and Kasumi were gathered in the family room as it started to rain. Their father Soun explained that one of them were to be married to the son of Saotome family in order to carry on the training dojo and secure their family legacy.

The boy's name was Ranma Saotome. The girls were shocked and angered upon hearing this and said they wanted to choose who they would marry. They have never actually met Ranma. Soun tried to diffuse the situation by showing them a picture of Ranma.

Meanwhile, a young girl appeared to being chased by a giant panda. The girl dodged the panda’s attacks and sent the panda flying with a powerful kick.

People on the streets was shocked at the sight of a wild animal on the street and stopped to watch the fight. The young girl seemed to be able to communicate with the panda and said that she didn’t like a marriage forced upon her. Hearing that, the panda picked up broken road sign and hit the young girl. Then it carried the girl, now unconscious, away.

Back at the Tendo residence, Soun told his daughters that Ranma and his father had been on a martial art training voyage and recently crossed into China. Nabiki then asked her father about Ranma’s appearance and whether he was cute. Suddenly they heard a loud noise outside and everyone ran out to see as they thought that Ranma and his father has arrived.

However, at the front porch, they witnessed a panda and a young girl crashing into their house. Seeing the giant panda, Kasumi was rather amused and asked if the panda was Soun’s friend.

The young girl then introduced herself as Ranma Saotome and apologized for the mess she has caused. Soun hugged Ranma but quickly realized that Ranma wasn’t a boy like he thought. Nabiki even poked Ranma’s chest and confirmed to her father that Ranma Saotome was in fact a girl.

Soun lied in his room with tears running down his cheek. This time, they were not tears of joy but tears of disappointment. His plan was ruined.

Seeing that Ranma was not a boy, Akane showed a softer expression and asked if she wanted to be friend. Then, Akane asked Ranma to join her in the dojo for a friendly match. To Akane’s surprise, Ranma easily dodged all her attacks with a playful manner.

As Akane threw her final punch, Ranma jumped into the air and landed behind Akane’s back. Akane said that Ranma’s skill was good and the two laughed. “I’m glad you are a girl”, Akane said, “I would really hate to lose to a boy”.

Meanwhile, the giant panda could be seen taking a hot bath and minutes later, in its place was a man. The man sit across Soun in his room and they were both crying.

Nabiki then walked into the kitchen and asked if Kasumi knew who the strange man sitting with their father was. To which, Kasumi said that she had no idea.

After that, Kasumi went and told Ranma to get in the bath. She reluctantly agreed.

When Ranma was done and about to get out of the bath, Akane also stepped inside, without knowing that Ranma was in there. She slid the bathroom door open and discovered a boy inside, totally naked. They looked at each other in shock and Akane abruptly exited the room.

After regaining her composure, Akane rushed out into the yard and picked up one of the stone lanterns. She intended to use it to fight the “pervert” she found in the bathroom. Nabiki and Kasumi ran over as they heard Akane’s screaming voice. Hearing Akane’s explanation, Kasumi was so surprised as she knew only Ranma was inside the bathroom.

That was when the girls turned around and saw a boy standing next to them. The boy wore the same clothes Ranma had on earlier and he nervously re-introduced himself as “Ranma Saotome”.

How can Ranma be both a girl and a boy!? How will the strange story of Ranma Saotome unfold?