Rating: Summary: For Ranma 1/2 fans, new and old! Review: I have to say, this is probably one of the best Ranma 1/2 series out there. The art is just amazing. The only thing I though was out of place was some of the comedy moments where people went flying. It just didn't seem to fit into the incredibly art, awsome fight sceens, and touching moments. But hey, it was funny anyway. This series has a lot of fan service foe Ranma/Akane fans. The end of "An Akane to Remember" is really sweet. Also for fans of this stlye of Ranma 1/2 art, the second Ranma movie "Nihao my Concubine" is a must see! For new fans, if you haven't seen the first series, see it! It has a bunch of important plot points. Like why Ryoga is in love with Akane, why Shampoo thinks Ranma is her fiance', and why Akane and Ranma fight so much. It will really help you appreciate the comedy in the other series!
Rating: Summary: Overall... Review: I haven't really seen much of Ranma 1/2 the series since they don't show it on TV and I don't like spending too much money for a VHS with just a couple of episodes in it. I HAVE read a few volumes of the manga though, so I'm somewhat familiar with the characters that appear in the OVA. I love the manga, with its humor and crazy stories (and fighting styles). There were really great episodes, some not so great, but I guarantee you, you'll get at least a few laughs at each one of the stories. This is a must-have for Ranma 1/2 fans. I recommend this also to other people who like comedy anime. I guess that people who aren't familiar with the series can enjoy the OAV, but I STRONGLY suggest to at least familiarize yourself to the story and the characters to get the most out of the DVD set. I also like the extras that came along with the third disk :) Oh yeah, watch the english-subtitled, Japanese audio version for those who don't really understand the language (like me), the voice acting is much much better (of course) than the English version, you get more emotion in the Japanese version. Overall, this is a really good buy for Ranma 1/2 and anime fans.
Rating: Summary: Anything-Goes Martial Arts Review: I'd heard a lot about this series in the past, but I'd never actually watched it until purchasing this box set. First impressions............Slightly odd, slightly twisted. Martial arts, combat, romance and characters who change into different things when splashed with cold water, Ranma changes from a dark haired boy, into a busty red headed girl, and back again with hot water, this is definitely not a boring story. Differing from the excellent Tenchi OVA set, this story of Ranma doesn't start at what can be called the beginning, and at first this caused some confusion. However watching some of the extras on the three discs, the story explains itself. Suddenly from initially being slightly strange, with gender bending characters, the story has now become addictive. I've now watched this set several times, and it keeps getting better. The presentation and picture quality are excellent, equalling that of the Tenchi box set. All in all this is an excellent package in presentation, story and content. If you enjoy the Tenchi Muyo series, Ranma is a must for your collection. If like me you haven't seen any Ranma episodes before, this set is a great introduction, and although it may seem strange at first, it is highly addictive and very enjoyable, it's a purchase you won't regret.
Rating: Summary: Ranma fan? You must have it.... Review: If you are buting this DVD set it means you actually know Ranma's history, so I'm reviewing just the DVD presentation. The case is very original, all three DVDs come together, the box unfolds and shows the DVDs. It has a space for a booklet, but there is only a sheet with the episodes list, I think they should make a booklet or something. The DVD menus are fine, easy to use, maybe more colors in the menus were needed, but it's ok. The last DVD has all the op. and ending from the original japansese edition without credits, so, you get the RANMA DOCO LD for free. It has the transcription of the Animericca interview to Rumiko Takahashi, and other goodies. The subtitles are just too yellow for my taste, but you get used to them. By the other side, the subtitles are very close to the original japanese meaning. For example, in An Akane to Remember (OVA Special) Ranma says in english (dub): "There's something you don't know: Akane is mine!", but in japanese he actually said something different... and the subtitles are according to that. So, I suggest you to buy this DVDs if you are a Ranma fan, the price is just great, and you'll be very happy with them.
Rating: Summary: The best Ranma 1/2 anime there is Review: If you are hesitant about getting this, as I was at first, go with it. It is totally hilarious, especially the first one, with Shampoo in the 'Curse of the Contrary Jewel'. I was waiting to see the 'Tendo Family Christmas Scramble' and was not disappointed, especially with the Kareoke done by Doco. There are a few sweet episodes, with 'Akane vs. Ranma! I'll Be the One to Inherit Mother's Recipes!' Overall, the best ones would have to be a two-parter, episodes 7 and 8, 'Reawakening Memories, Parts 1 and 2.' Hilarious and touching, with introductions of one-shots characters that you wont soon forget. This also includes 'Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix' which was released as a movie in Japan. In 'Oh Cursed Tennel of Lost Love! Let My Love Be Forever!' pay very close attention to the names, which will have you cracking up if you know anything about old television shows. The entire collection has amazing animation, better then all the seasons and the two movies. The extras are great. It has detailed floor plans of almost the entire Tendo house, trailers, an interview with Takahashi, character profiles and over a dozen music videos by Doco. Doco is the group that the voice actors of girl Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, Shampoo, and Kasumi formed. Even if you don't speak Japanese, you should still love these. The songs are beautiful and the animation is great as well. This collection is the perfect buy for any Ranma 1/2 fan.
Rating: Summary: Yup it's Ranma! Review: If you buy this thinking you'll start at the begining . . . you might be pretty dissapionted. All the episodes here are based on stories in the later Ranma 1/2 manga(comic books).It starts around book 20 and I'm still seeing the stories in book 30 (Japanese books, the Viz graphics versions are in the same order but they seem to put 1&1/2 Japanese manga into one of their graphic novels.) They seem to keep the same continuity as the books mostly, so if you're a solid Ranma 1/2 fan you'll be happy. The film quality is pretty good and the stories they chose seemed to work on film. Some of the stories are Shampoo & the Contrary Brooch,Tendo X-mas Scramble,The Tunnel of ... Broken ... Love, The Two Akanes plus more. Tanoshima!
Rating: Summary: Ranma 1/2 is by far the best anime around, and this is why.. Review: If you dont know the story of Ranam 1/2 its about a boy named...Ranma Saotome who went training with his father (Genma) in Jusenkyo, China. This training ground is cursed and has Springs of drowned SOMETHINGS, While training Genma falls into Spring of drowned Panda, so when splashed with cold water, Genma turns to a panda and splashed with hot water turns back to a man. And Ranma...well he fell in spring of drowned girl. So you gessed it, he turns into a girl. Animation is top notch (like the MOTION PICTURES) The first one (Shampoos Sudden Switch...) is by far the best! Order this now! This OAV set is wounderful! There are 12 all together and 4 of then (All on second DVD) are in two parters! (LOL Soan crys all through #6!) They also added some cool stuff like all the music videos from the VHS versions! (You just got to love Baled of Ranma and Akana) Anyway i do recomend this for alll Ranma fans and for all ANME lovers out there!!
Rating: Summary: For those who want more than the series Review: If you want an introduction to Ranma, this set is not good for you. If you loved the tv seasons and manga, you just found the spot. This dvd contains 12 episodes (OAV) that means they are not part od the tv series, but aditional standalone chapters. In fact, they are 10 complete stories, because the second dvd has two stories of two episodes each, but believe me, they are the best ones. Excelent quality, in japanese and english versions, but you'll prefer japanese with subtitles. Also, each AOV has its own opening and closing songs, but they were replaced on each disc by the ones dubbed to english. The good news is that all the original songs were placed in the last disc, without the anoying credits!!!. Those are the DOCO songs, the group of voice actresses of the serie. Some of the best songs from Ranma. If you have the cds (DOCO first, DOCO second or DOCO Karaoke), now you'll have the videos!!!! Enjoy it.
Rating: Summary: Reawakening Memories Review: In 1995, I took a job grading standardized tests while working on my degree. My first assignment was grading essays written by 11th graders in Oklahoma. And while many of the essays were dreadfully composed, one student in particular wrote an excellent essay on Japanese Anime. At that time, I had searched for animation that matched the humor, edge, and wit of the classic Warner Brothers' cartoons, and had met with little success. In this essay I graded, this student used Ranma ½ to illustrate the best characteristics of Anime - bilingual puns, hilarious situations, and subjects that certainly would not qualify as politically correct. Shortly after the essay, I sampled many of the various Anime and Manga distributed by VIZ, and to my disappointment, found much of this genre poorly written and poorly animated. I found Ranma ½, however, an exception to the mediocrity that plagues so much Anime and American animation today. And in my opinion, this collection of stories is of better quality than the television series or feature-length movies. Without exception, the animation of the OAV series surpasses that of the television series and compares favorably with the two theatrical releases. I also find that the pacing of the OAV episodes is better than both theatrical releases. In the OAV series, the timing of the gags is impeccable, the characters are well developed, and the satire, while sometimes gentle, is often razor sharp. And if you investigate the stories more closely, you will find that Rumiko Takahashi has a knack for retelling Japanese myths and legends in hilarious ways, often turning your every expectation on its head (Reawakening Memories, Hell Hath No Fury, and One Grew Over the Kuno's Nest). And, when you compare the quality, length, and cost of the OAV series on DVD to that of the movies, the OAV series is the one to buy. Finally, should the student who introduced me to this amazing series read this review, thank you.
Rating: Summary: Not as good as the TV series Review: Overall, this OAV series is a good bargain, well packaged, and entertaining. But... the OAV episodes are noticeably inferior to the Original TV series. If you are an avid fan of the TV series, that has watched a lot of episodes from each season, you'll be somewhat disappointed by this OAV series. It just doesn't really capture the personality of the original TV series. I just didn't feel the Ranma magic in this one. I can't place my finger on what is missing--perhaps some story elements are weak and the comic timing is off. On the positive side, the animation is great and the DVD is packed with many features. Hopefully, VIZ will release all the Original TV seasons onto DVD. That would be a much better buy.
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