This best-selling series, considered the greatest of the gender-bending kung fu comedy genre, starts with an accident at a cursed Chinese training ground.

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The story stars Ranma and his father Genma. One normal day they go to the cursed springs for training. During the training, Ranma knocks Genma into the lake of "drowned Panda", and when Genma emerges, He is a huge, fat Panda! Genma whacks Ranma into a spring, and he suffers a similar fate. Ranma falls into the "spring of drowned girl".

While Ranma and Genma are not always a panda or girl, things are far from okay. Whenever they touch cold water, they turn into the cursed form. Touching them with hot water transforms them back into their normal form. Thing get worse when Ranma gets engaged to the moody Akane.

The artwork is quite good. Character designs are adorable, almost whimsical is appearance.The backgrounds are pretty detailed. The artwork is overall pretty nice. It's no CLAMP or Yukito Kishiro, but its good.

The plot starts off pretty well and moves forward at a brisk pace. From drama to humor, the plot is a real page turner. The story is very unique. Their are tons of character's, each different and charming in their own way. Character development is exceptional, and at times the characters become the driving point for the entire series. And despite the art style, the character's behave is very "real" ways, and are believable. Teenagers will un-doubtfully love this series. Things like the uncomfortable first kiss, to the embearessing excitement of a certain crush; its all very charming and handled in a easy to read way that teenagers are bound to love, boy or girl. Yes, this manga has several sensitive moments.

Besides the genuinely touching moments, "Ranma 1/2" has ton's and ton's of funny moments, guaranteed to put one in belly laughs. What's so great is that is that the humor has variety. Slapstick, one-liners, etc. The humor also ties in with the battles. Battles are not only unique and fun, but over the top as well. In one battle Ranma and Akane must fight a lethal couple on a ice ring. The opponent is a womanizer who's in love with Ranma's female side (yikes!), and a young girl who, when she sees something she things is "cute", she'll name it (steal and rename it if it already has an owner), and won't let anyone else have it. Anyway, Ranma has every bone in his body so far in the fight, but someone accidently drops some water on him......cold water. Anyway, the battles becomes reduced to Ranma and his rival throwing Ice chunks at each-other. Over the top, isn't it? It's "Ranma 1/2"

All in all, I can't think of anyone who would not enjoy "Ranma 1/2". Action, Comedy, Romance ,Drama with fantasy elements are seamlessly blended in a very entertaining package. It's one of the most popular manga and anime series available, and for a good reason. sure, their are better, more deeper manga's than "Ranma 1/2". But "Ranma 1/2" is, while not particularly enriching, will wipe one's depression and put a smile on their face. "Ranma 1/2" has magic, and I highly recommended it.

22 of 23 found the following review helpful:

Everyone can enjoy Ranma.Jul 01, 2000
By Gremio
Who dosen't know Rumiko Takihashi? Well, many people don't, but those with even little exposure to the world of anime and manga will definitly know her name. Before I even could prenouce anime right, I already knew about her most popular series, "Ranma 1/2". I dislike the anime version due to the dubbing, which I dislike for personal reasons. However, the manga is not dubbed (duhh) so apparently I would like it much more.

The story stars Ranma and his father Genma. One normal day they go to the cursed springs for training. During the training, Ranma knocks Genma into the lake of "drowned Panda", and when Genma emerges, He is a huge, fat Panda! Genma whacks Ranma into a spring, and he suffers a similar fate. Ranma falls into the "spring of drowed girl".

While Ranma and Genma are not always a panda or girl, things are far from okay. Whenever they touch cold water, they turn into the cursed form. Touching them with hot water transforms them back into their normal form. Thing get worse when Ranma gets engaged to the moody Akane.

The artwork is quite good. Character designs are adorable, almost whymsical is appearance.The backgrounds are pretty detailed. The artwork is overall pretty nice. It's no CLAMP or Yukito Kishiro, but its good.

The plot starts off pretty well and go's at a brisk pace. From drama to humor, the plot is a real page turner. The story is very unique. Their are tons of characters's, each different and charming in their own way. Character development is exceptional, and at times the characters become the driving point for the entire series. And despite the art style, the character's behave is very "real" ways, and are believeable. Teenagers will undoubtfully love this series. Things like the uncomfortable first kiss, to the embaressing excitment of a certain crush; its all very charming and handled in a easy to read way that teenagers are bound to love, boy or girl. Yes, this manga has several sesitive moments.

Besides the genuinely touching moments, "Ranma 1/2" has ton's and ton's of funny moments, guarenteed to put one in belly laughs. What's so great is that is that the humor has variety. Slapstick, one-liners, etc. The humor also ties in with the battles. Battles are not only unique and fun, but over the top as well. In one battle Ranma and Akane must fight a lethal couple on a ice ring. The opponent is a womanizer who's in love with Ranma's female side (yikes), and a young girl who, when she sees something she things is "cute", she'll name it (steal and rename it if it already has an owner), and won't let anyone else have it. Anyway, Ranma has every bone in his body so far in the fight, but someone acidently drops some water on him......cold water. Anyway, the battles becomes reduced to Ranma and his rival throwing ice chunks at each-other. Over the top, isn't it? It's "Ranma 1/2"

All in all, I can't think of anyone who would not enjoy "Ranma 1/2". Action,Comedy,Romance Drama with fatasy elements are seamlessly blended in a very entertaining package. It's one of the most popular manga and anime series available, and for a good reason. Sure, there are better, more deeper manga's than "Ranma 1/2". But "Ranma 1/2" is, while not particulary enriching, will wipe away one's depression and put a smile on their face. "Ranma 1/2" has magic, and I highly recommended it.

14 of 15 found the following review helpful:

Solid startJan 28, 2004
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas"
Being a teenage boy can be tough. Being a teenage boy who turns into a girl is even worse. The first volume of the talented Rumiko Takahashi's "Ranma 1/2" series introduces us to Ranma Saotome, a tough teenage martial artist, and one of the few guys for whom a cold shower actually works.

Genma Saotome and his son Ranma appear at the Tendo home, after a lifetime of martial arts training. If Ranma marries one of the Tendo girls, the future of their training center will be secure. Only one problem: Ranma turns out to be a girl accompanied by a panda. After youngest daughter Akane bumps into a naked boy in the bathroom, Ranma (now a strapping boy) reintroduces himself.

It turns out that Saotome Sr. and Jr. had a magical mishap in China's cursed springs, and now cold water turns Ranma into a girl, and his dad into a panda. Hot water restores them to their normal forms. He quickly finds himself affianced to Akane (who says she hates boys and calls him a pervert), and going to a school where the reigning athlete falls in love with him (in girl form) but wants to kill him (in boy form) To make things worse, an old schoolmate of Ranma's shows up with a mysterious grudge, fully planning to bash in Ranma's head.

As this was the beginning of the series, the first stories are also the shakiest, since they have to establish the story and characters. The artwork is a bit smudgier. And the characters are somewhat different than they are later in the series: Akane is more belligerent (not to mention long-haired), Soun more dignified, and the slapstick comedy is less prominent. But by the time Ryoga appears, the stories have gotten their footing. (The old bread battle is a riot)

Ranma is an essentially likable guy, even if he can be a jerk (such as saying that his girl body is better than Akane's); fans of Takahashi's "Inuyasha" series will see hints of that lead in Ranma. Akane's roughness is tempered with her teen crush on Dr. Tofu (who likes her sister). Supporting characters are given plenty of quirks that give them further dimension (like Ryoga's complete lack of direction -- he couldn't find his way out of a holey paper bag).

"Ranma 1/2" is an entertaining martial-arts romantic comedy, with likably strange characters and plenty of unlikely fight scenes. A charming read.

8 of 9 found the following review helpful:

A great entry point to anime...Jul 18, 2003
By ewomack "ewomack"
Ranma 1/2 is far more than gender-bending wackiness. It's also an incredible parody of Japanese martial arts anime and a great study of how gender and appearances dictate how a society views an individual.

The artwork is top notch, though this 1st volume pales slightly in comparison to later volumes(the lines are not as sharp and the figures not as well defined, but you won't care). There is nudity (drawn with anime proportions) and there are heavily anthropomorphized animals (also drawn with anime proportions). The blend of all these features results in a hilarious (you will laugh out loud), cute, erotic, and insightful package.

The premise is very simple: a father and son accidentally fall into "cursed springs" while training in China. When the father gets wet, he turns into a large panda (who finds out quickly that "Augh! Pandas can't talk!"). Likewise, when the son, Ranma, gets wet "he" changes into a "she." Reality is thrown a greasy wrench many times with this premise. I would have loved to have read the first volume when it originally came out, with no clue as to what was going to happen. Knowing the story beforehand ruins the shock a bit (but, again, it's so good that you won't care).

It may not be clear to those who have not read other anime that Ranma 1/2 is parody. Villians have ridiculous and exaggerated powers. Fights are started and honor is shattered over exceedingly trite events or insults. The fights are actually funny, but also maintain tension. It's a perfect tongue-in-cheek and tongue-out-of-mouth combination. Kuno is a great character and a parody of the sensitive yet fiery type often seen in anime. Some of the best moments are when Kuno and Ranma battle. The extra catch is that Kuno is in love with the "female" Ranma, but in a duel to the death with the "male" Ranma. In more than one case a battle becomes a pine for love, and it's amazing.

Having a character that changes gender allows the author to play other characters off of the gender-changing character. This is the best part of Ranma 1/2: characters react to and interact with Ranma in incredibly different ways depending upon what gender Ranma is at a particular moment. Kuno is a great example of this: he truly loves and hates the whole Ranma. Battles will sometimes include a gender change with interesting results.

There's much more to this anime than a review can contain. This first volume introduces the major characters (though one of the best characters, the old man who collects underwear, does not appear for a number of volumes) and introduces the story line that carries the series through at least 20 volumes. It's one of the best animes out there, and maybe one of the best introductions to anime for the uninitiated.

8 of 9 found the following review helpful:

Here's Ranma!!Feb 07, 2001
By Christina
Ta da!! It's the first Ranma 1/2 Graphic Novel... and the beginning of one of the best anime comics I've ever read. First let me say how I first discovered Ranma 1/2. I was simply looking around a bookstore one day, trying to find the other anime (my other favorites are Dragonball/Z, Sailor Moon, Rayearth, etc) when I say the first Ranma book sitting on the floor. Since I had heard of this series before, I sat down and started reading. After only the first chapter I was hooked. Something about the crazy concept of a boy turning into a girl and his father into a panda was simply hilarious. The strange situations that Rumiko Takahashi puts them in adds to the terrific storyline. Well, I bought it and thus my obsessed Ranma life officially began. It wasn't long until I had hooked my best friend, too.

Anyways, Ranma 1/2 is the story of a boy named Ranma and his father who fell into the cursed springs of Jusenkyo. Now whenever either are doused with cold water, Ranma turns into a girl and his father into a panda! Not only that but he meets Akane, his "fiance" as their fathers decided. Akane and Ranma don't exactly get along very well (whoa that's an understatement) and it doesn't help that Akane hates boys. Akane is victim to many a crush though, mainly from upperclassman Kuno. After seeing Ranma as a girl, Kuno falls in love with her as well, unable to decide whom he loves more. We also meet a strange man named Dr. Tofu. Akane has a major crush on him but he loves her sister, Kasumi! Also in this book, Ranma meets Ryoga, an "eternal lost boy" with a strong grudge and no sense of direction. What's a half-boy/half-girl to do?

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