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4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Hijinks continueFeb 19, 2005
By E. A Solinas
"ea_solinas"
Rumiko Takahashi struck comic gold with "Ranma 1/2," the story of a guy who turns into a girl whenever he gets touched with cold water (and you'd be surprised how often that happens). The second volume picks up where the first left off, and Takahashi was obviously hitting her stride in this series.
Directionally-challenged Ryoga Hibiki makes it to the Tendos' home, and brawls with Ranma out in the yard. Turns out that Ranma accidently knocked Ryoga into a cursed spring -- and now Ryoga turns into a cute black piglet. As if this grudge weren't enough, Akane adopts the piglet, whom she names "P-chan," which drives Ranma into a frenzy.
Problems continue when Akane is injured before a martial arts gymnastics competition, leaving Ranma (in his female form) to take her place. The only problem is, it's against Kuno's psychotic sister Kodachi -- who loves Ranma as a boy, but loathes him as a girl. No sooner has Ranma dealt with that crisis than another combat challenge pops up: To get Ryoga/P-chan back from a ditzy ice skater, Ranma and Akane will have to learn martial-arts ice-skating. But Ranma's lessons take an unpleasant turn when he gets his first kiss... from a boy.
The boy-turns-into-girl-when-splashed-with-water shtick sounds like a one-off gimmick. But Takahashi shows new ways to get creative in the second volume of "Ranma 1/2." The stories flow a little faster and a little more smoothly, now that she's introduced the characters and their peculiar problems.
She also starts ideas that continues throughout the series -- sticking the words "martial arts" besides all sorts of activities, and having characters fall into various cursed springs. But she doesn't lose track of the personal relationships, such as various characters competing for Ranma and/or Akane's affections. One comic gem involves siblings Kuno and Kodachi, who are unknowingly competing for the same person in different form.
The characters have also changed a little. Akane no longer loathes all men, and is rapidly becoming a good partner for Ranma. Ryoga -- who apparently craves any form of affection -- falls in love with Akane after she cuddles him in his pig form. And obviously Ranma is starting to like Akane -- otherwise, why would he care if she cuddled Ryoga?
The "Ranma 1/2" series took off after the first volume, when Takahashi stepped up the pace and took her martial-arts-romantic-comedy to new and strange heights.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
amazingMay 23, 2004
By Tori
this book is just as good as the first book except possibly a little more romance.
by now ranma and akane are always going at each others necks but in the end they always find a way out of the hardest spots.
laugh out loud funny a action/adventure/romance(very little).
not reconmender for younger children(ranma when in female form runs around topless and yes it shows most to all parts)
but any way this is a amazing book and i would recomend it to almost any one at all.
Bye Bye
from: mewme
IT ROCKS
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Entertaining and Habit-Forming!Jan 09, 2003
By Ana Hotaling
"saotomeranchan"
If you're looking at volume 2 of Ranma 1/2, you've either joined the club of those addicted to the world of Saotome Ranma, or you clicked on any Ranma 1/2 book link to see what all the hoopla about Ranma is about. For these folks, here's your synopsis!Created/written/illustrated by Takahashi Rumiko (also responsible for Japan's current hit "Inu-Yasha" and cult favorite "Maison Ikkoku"), Ranma 1/2 tells the saga of teen martial artist Saotome Ranma, who had the misfortune of falling into a cursed spring on a training trip in China. The curse causes him to become a curvy young redhead female version of himself whenever he is splashed by cold water (tea, rain, anything wet). His rather irresponsible father, Genma, also fell into a spring, but his curse causes him to change into a panda. The manga (more than 30 volumes in the original Japanese) follows their (mis)adventures as Ranma and his dad move in with old family friend Tendo Soun, whose youngest daughter, tomboy Akane, Ranma happens to be engaged to (an arrangement neither teen is pleased with). Ranma encounters challenges at school and in his training from suitors of both genders who are either aware or unaware of his curse, as well as from rivals who either want to thrash him soundly or claim Akane as their own. It is important to note that the Japanese are very frank about such subjects as bathing and nudity, and poor Ranma is often caught with his shirt off when he gets splashed... and in time learns to use his "feminine wiles" to get what he wants. There is, however, no sex, despite the anime's listing by Viz Video as a "martial arts sex comedy." Gender comedy is more like it, since the main characters don't even kiss... well, except once, but Ranma was in cat-mode then (you need to read the series to figure out THAT one). In summary, Ranma 1/2 is entertaining, very easy to follow, and well drawn, with characters that have their own personalities and quirks and are different from each other, with plots that keep you riveted, if not laughing -- or groaning -- on Ranma's behalf. An excellent introduction to Japanese manga.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Pretty GoodJan 19, 2004
By CycleRawk
This is the first Anime/Manga book I've ever read. It was a pretty good book. I read it though without a break. The storyline was interesting, but I found that it got dry in a few spots occasionally, and made me chuckle a couple times. I am looking forward to reading the sequel tomorrow, to see if the storyline twists, or there is more "action". It was not a disappointing read by any means though.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
One of the best Ranma 1/2 volumes- HILARIOUS!!!Mar 31, 2003
I'm thouroughly amazed at the ability of Takahashi to cram all of that humor into the pages. There's practically atleast 1 or 2 funny things on every singly page! My favorite part of this was the martial rhythymic gymnastics tournement. On the morning of the match (after an entire night of "training" with Ryoga), Ranma is chewing on something at the table while holding it with chopsticks, and saying,"Hey, Kasumi. This figh cake is tough."
Response: "That's a towel."
The funniest section is probably the actual fight between Kodachi the Black Rose and (female) Ranma. This spans multiple chapters, and also involves Ryoga as "P-Chan" (in the form of a small black pig) handcuffed to Ranma's wrist. Since Kodachi is known for doing anything to win (from "fighting in all fairness before the match" to sleeping potions in roses to hammering their opponent in their room) and also since Ranma (male) is being wagered for the match, this is much more than just a competition of throwing mallets back and forth. In the middle of it all, Kodachi throws a teapot at Ranma, and a reverse transformation occurs momentarily before Akane counters with a fire hose...
Also, the referees count anything that isn't a "bare-handed blow" as valid! (Reporter:And she[Ranma] snags the table! What an innovation! And Kodachi counters with her own brother! [Kuno takes kendo and always carries his sword with him- he whacks the table in half] Use of one's brother is not considered a bare-handed attack. Use of brother-VALID! The 3 Referees: Valid!)
Very hard to put down. Best if read with another person to share the laughter! Don't miss this graphic novel!
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