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Summary: An Ideal Intro for Those Curious About Japanese Manga!
Review: Japanese comics have been the rage for several decades for those in the know, but with anime becoming more mainstream, people are becoming curious about the manga, or comics, that spawned many an animated series. Ranma 1/2 is the ideal manga for those looking to discover Japanese manga.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 (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.
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Summary: Nodachi's Choice of the Millenium
Review: My first manga, and still my most beloved. No manga or anime fan can disagree on this topic. The series which launched Rumiko Takahashi to the top of the ladder. Funny, smart, and clever, Ranma 1/2 delivers on all marks. Unique and comical battle sequences, lecerous swordsmen, and the strongest man in the world is virtually a giddy school girl! (volume 19 if you think i overdramatize Ryoga) As crazy as it all sounds, the series iis still down to earth and usually quite practical. As well, the series it cut apart into nice digestable chunks. it goes from story to story smoothly, the characters develope and change over time, and what's alittle martial arts mahem without some slapstick? WARNING: Do not read Ranma 1/2 while drinking vodka near an open flame!
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Summary: Super Funny
Review: Ranma 1/2 is a great book. It's super funny. I especially like Ryoga and the bread fued. As you got from the other reviews, Ranma 1/2 is about a boy who becomes a girl in cold water and a boy (again) in hot water). Ranma's dad, who turns into a panda in cold water and a old man again in hot water, keeps promising that Ranma will marry certain girls in exchange for food and board. One of the girls, Akane, is always beating him up. This guy, Upperclassman Kuno, likes Akane and Ranma. (Funny part) Well, buy the book if you want to know more. The book is slightly graphic. No big deal. Other wise it's great.
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Summary: A wonderful book!
Review: This is a fabulous book! One of my friends got me hooked on Ranma 1/2 and Inu Yasha books, and I'm so grateful to her for showing them to me! The Ranma books have lots of comedy, a great story line, wonderful drawings, and so much more. When I pick one up, I have so much trouble putting it down! I can't wait to read all the Ranma books. If you're a fan, be sure to read the Inu Yasha series too!
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Summary: Ranma 1/2 Book 1
Review: Ranma ½ is the funniest Manga I've ever read! It's about how a father wants 1 of his 3 daughters to marry Ranma Saotome, a boy. They pick Akane Tendo, who hates men. There's just one thing that's unusual about Ranma. Whenever he's drenched in cold water, he turns into a girl and whenever he's drenched with warm water, he turns back into a boy! It's hysterical! Also, his father turns into a Panda instead of a boy! The Panda brings lots of laughter to the story and is one of my favorite characters. Ranma and Akane don't get along well and they fight often, which makes it even funnier. Another funny character is Upperclassmen Kuno, who thinks he's the best warrior ever. He keeps fighting Ranma to win Akane but gets confused when Ranma's a girl. You'll have to read it yourself to find out more because I don't want to spoil anything. There were only 2 things I didn't like about this book. It had upper nakedness about every time they took a bath and they said the word pervert a lot. If anything, I would like those things to be taken out. But, it wasn't that bad. I'm buying the next book for sure so, as you can see, it didn't bother me that much that I wouldn't buy the next one. Anyway, if you like action and comedy, this book is for you!
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Summary: Amazing story, read it once and your hooked!
Review: Ranma 1/2 is definatly one of my favorite mangas. The amazing story of Ranma, a boy who turns into a girl when splasheed with cold water and back to a boy with hot water, and as if that's not enough, he has three, count 'em, THREE fianeces. If that's not enough to get you hooked, I don't know what is. Rumiko Takahashi is pure genius. 'Nough said.
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Summary: A Takahashi Classic
Review: If you liked Lum, surely you've read this.
A classic tale of boy-meets-girl. And boy turns into a girl. But, only with cold water. Hot water turns him right back to his proper gender!
Confused? You might be!
But it always turn out to make sense, in some twisted way. So take a look into this 'graphic novel'. Perverted old men, cowardly pandas, psycho sisters, and a girl with a teenage boy for a pet! lol Okay, *I* wouldn't mind....
Done in classic Takahashi style, it's not as bloody as Inu-Yasha and not as fairy tale as Lum. Right in the middle, in the world where most of us live.
The curses? Um. Artistic liscense. ^.~
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Summary: Takahashi's early proof of insanity...
Review: Well, I actually discovered this after Maison Ikkoku (about 6 years ago...yes...it DID exist back then -_-;;) and didn't at all get what I expected. Maison Ikkoku is a Takahashi masterpiece free of water ignited transformations, aliens becoming teenage girls, half demons in search of a crystal, or mutated beings searching for a replacement arm after an accident with mermaid's blood. At the time, I had read nothing of Takahashi's (not even Uresei Yatsura which was her first) except Maison Ikkoku, so I was hardly expecting the hilarious result which is Ranma 1/2. This manga is very delightful and packed with humor (not all of the humor is extremely funny, but there are some moments that will have you practically dead with laughter)and an interesting plotline that will keep you hooked. I feel no regret that I...[bought] all 38 volumes (which eventually got horribly long and predictable) except that towards the end it got a little boring...
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Summary: Undoubtedly, some of the finest anime around...
Review: This anime is the best I have read, and it is very well-constructed and concieved. The artwork is superb, truly something to enjoy, even after the fifth reading. The stories are hilarious for the most part, though some of the more recent editions have stories that are not as amusing. However, I don't find these to be very frequent, and the ideas and jokes are very original. Oftentimes, there is even some suspense, further enhancing the overall comic.
Highly reccomended.
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Summary: One of the Best of the BEST!
Review: If you haven't read Ranma 1/2, you are definitely missing out. It took me years to find one this well done and I haven't found one since except perhaps Inu-yasha, also be Rumiko Takahashi. I have been an anime/manga fan for at least 5 years now and my collection has become quite large. I recommend the manga over the anime.
Ranma is a 17 year old boy that seems to just be followed around by trouble. His father throws a fiancee at him, and she has a mallet. Martial artist as he is, it seems almost everyone else in the manga is as well. Worse yet Ranma has fallen into a spring. A spring called "Spring of Drowned Girl." The only problem: since then whenever he is hit with cold water, he turns into a girl! And only hot water can change him back! Bring a kettle and hop into this delightful manga. Take it from me. If you want to laugh, buy Ranma 1/2 from Volume 1 until where it ends. A mixed-up tale of comic, romance, history, tragedy and everything else you can name!!!
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