Wikipedia

Ranma ½

Ranma ½(Japanese:らんま⁠1/2⁠,Hepburn:Ranma Nibun-no-Ichi,pronouncedRanma One-Halfin English)is a Japanesemangaseries written and illustrated byRumiko Takahashi.It was serialized inWeekly Shōnen Sundayfrom August 1987 to March 1996, with the chapters collected in 38tankōbonvolumes byShogakukan.The story revolves around a teenager namedRanma Saotomewho has trained inmartial artssince early childhood. As a result of falling into a cursed Chinese spring during a training journey, he has the ability to have an instant sex change when getting wet, becoming a girl when exposed to cold water, and likewise changing back into a boy when touching hot water. Throughout the series Ranma seeks out a way to rid himself of his curse, while his friends, enemies, and many fiancées constantly hinder and interfere.

Ranma ½
Firsttankōbonvolume cover, featuringRanma Saotomeand his father transformed into a woman and a panda respectively
らんま⁠1/2⁠
(Ranma Nibun-no-Ichi)
Genre
Manga
Written byRumiko Takahashi
Published byShogakukan
English publisher
ImprintShōnen Sunday Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Sunday
DemographicShōnen
Original runAugust 19, 1987–March 6, 1996
Volumes38(List of volumes)
Further information
Anime television series
Directed by
Produced by
  • Hidenori Taga
  • Yoshinobu Nakao
  • Yoko Matsushita
  • Makoto Kubo
Music by
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
  • AUS:Madman Entertainment
  • NA:Viz Media
Original networkFNS(Fuji TV)
English network
Original runApril 15, 1989–September 16, 1989
Episodes18(List of episodes)
Anime television series
Ranma ½ Nettōhen
Directed by
Produced by
  • Hidenori Taga (executive)
  • Takashi Ishihara
  • Koji Kaneda
  • Yoko Matsushita
  • Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Junpei Nakagawa
  • Kei Ijichi
Music by
  • Hideharu Mori
  • Kenji Kawai
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
  • AUS:Madman Entertainment
  • NA:Viz Media
Original networkFNS (Fuji TV)
English network
Original runOctober 20, 1989–September 25, 1992
Episodes143(List of episodes)
Anime film
Ranma ½: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China
Directed byShuji Iuchi
Produced by
  • Hidenori Taga (executive)
  • Yoko Matsushita
  • Hiroshi Hasegawa
Written by
Music byKenji Kawai
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
ReleasedNovember 2, 1991
Runtime77 minutes
Anime film
Ranma ½: Nihao My Concubine
Directed byAkira Suzuki
Produced by
  • Kei Ijichi (executive)
  • Yoko Matsushita
  • Motoko Naritome
  • Hiroshi Hasegawa
Written byRyota Yamaguchi
Music byAkihisa Matsūra
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
  • AUS:Madman Entertainment
  • NA:Viz Media
  • UK:MVM Films
ReleasedAugust 1, 1992
Runtime65 minutes
Original video animation
Directed byJunji Nishimura
Produced by
  • Ayao Ueda
  • Junpei Nakagawa
  • Kenji Kume
Music byAkihisa Matsūra
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
  • NA:Viz Media
ReleasedOctober 21, 1993–August 19, 1994
Runtime30 minutes
Episodes6(List of episodes)
Anime film
Ranma ½: Super Indiscriminate Decisive Battle! Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix
Directed byJunji Nishimura
Produced by
  • Ayao Ueda
  • Junpei Nakagawa
  • Kenji Kume
Written byRyota Yamaguchi
Music by
  • Akihisa Matsūra
  • Kenji Kawai
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
  • NA:Viz Media
ReleasedAugust 20, 1994
Runtime28 minutes
Original video animation
Ranma ½ Special
Directed byJunji Nishimura
Produced by
  • Ayao Ueda
  • Junpei Nakagawa
  • Kenji Kume
Music by
  • Akihisa Matsūra
  • Kenji Kawai
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
  • NA:Viz Media
ReleasedDecember 16, 1994–February 17, 1995
Runtime27 minutes
Episodes2(List of episodes)
Original video animation
Ranma ½ Super
Directed byJunji Nishimura
Produced by
  • Ayao Ueda
  • Junpei Nakagawa
  • Kenji Kume
Music by
  • Akihisa Matsūra
  • Kenji Kawai
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
  • NA:Viz Media
ReleasedSeptember 21, 1995–January 19, 1996
Runtime28 minutes
Episodes3(List of episodes)
Original video animation
Ranma ½: Nightmare! Incense of Spring Sleep
Directed byTakeshi Mori
Music byKohei Tanaka
Studio
ReleasedJuly 30, 2008
Runtime32 minutes
Live-action television film
Directed byRyo Nishimura
Written byYoshihiro Izumi
Music byKei Yoshikawa
StudioNikkatsu
Original networkNNS(Nippon TV)
ReleasedDecember 9, 2011
Runtime95 minutes
Anime television series
Directed byKōnosuke Uda
Written byKimiko Ueno
Music byKaoru Wada
StudioMAPPA
Licensed byNetflix
Original networkNNS (Nippon TV)
Original runOctober 6, 2024– present
Episodes7
Related media
iconAnime and manga portal

Ranma ½has a comedic formula and a sex-changing main character, who often willfully transforms into a girl to advance his goals. The series also contains many other characters, whose intricate relationships with each other, unusual characteristics, and eccentric personalities drive most of the stories. Although the characters and their relationships are complicated, they rarely change once they are firmly introduced and settled into the series.

The manga has been adapted into twoanimeseries produced byStudio Deen:Ranma ½andRanma ½ Nettōhen(らんま⁠1/2⁠Nhiệt đấu biên),which together were broadcast onFuji TVfrom 1989 to 1992. In addition, they released 12OVAsand three films. In 2011, alive-actiontelevision special was produced and aired onNippon Television.Another anime adaptation produced byMAPPApremiered on October 6, 2024, broadcasting on Nippon Television and streaming onNetflix.The manga and anime series were licensed byViz Mediafor English-language releases in North America.Madman Entertainmentreleased the manga, part of the anime series, and the first two films in Australasia, whileMVM Filmsreleased the first two films in the United Kingdom.

TheRanma ½manga has over 55 million copies in circulation, making it one of thebest-selling manga seriesof all time. Both the manga and anime are cited as among the first in their respective media to have become popular in the United States.

Plot

edit
See also:List of Ranma ½ characters

On a training journey in theBayankala Mountain Rangein theQinghai Provinceof China,Ranma Saotomeand his fatherGenmafell into the cursed springs at Jusenkyo(Chú tuyền hương).The cursed spring causes any afflicted to assume the physical form of whatever drowned there hundreds or thousands of years ago whenever they come into contact with cold water, which reverts on contact with hot water but resumes with exposure to cold water. Genma fell into the spring of a drowned panda while Ranma fell into the spring of a drowned girl.

Soun Tendois a fellow practitioner ofMusabetsu Kakutō Ryū(Vô khác biệt cách đấu lưu)or "Anything-Goes School" of martial arts and owner of adojo.Genma and Soun agreed years ago that their children would marry and carry on the Tendo Dojo. Soun has three teenaged daughters: the polite and easygoingKasumi,the greedy and indifferentNabikiand the short-tempered, martial arts practicingAkane.Akane, who is Ranma's age, is appointed for bridal duty by her sisters with the reasoning that they are the older sisters and can dump the duty on her, and that they all dislike the arranged engagement and think Akane's dislike of men is the right way to express it to the fathers. At the appointed time, the Saotomes arrive in their new forms given by the cursed springs, confusing the Tendos, and ultimately leading to Akane seeing Ranma changing from girl form to boy form in the tub, much to her horror. It takes several more pages for the situation to be explained to Soun Tendo and his daughters. Both Ranma and Akane refuse the engagement initially, having not been consulted on the decision, but the fathers are insistent and they are generally treated as betrothed and end up helping or saving each other on some occasions. They are frequently found in each other's company and are constantly arguing in their trademark awkward love-hate manner that is a franchise focus.

Ranma goes to school with Akane at Furinkan High School(Phong lâm quán cao giáo,Fūrinkan Kōkō),where he meets his recurring opponentTatewaki Kuno,the conceitedkendoteam captain who aggressively pursues Akane, but also falls in love with Ranma's female form without ever discovering his curse (despite most other characters eventually knowing it).Nerimaserves as a backdrop for more martial arts mayhem with the introduction of Ranma's regular rivals, such as the eternally lostRyoga Hibikiwho traveled halfway across Japan getting from the front of his house to the back, where Ranma spent three days waiting for him. Ryoga, seeking revenge on Ranma, followed him to Jusenkyo where he ultimately fell into the Spring of the Drowned Piglet. Now when splashed with cold water he takes the form of a little black pig. Not knowing this, Akane takes the piglet as a pet and names it P-chan, but Ranma knows and hates him for keeping this secret and taking advantage of the situation. Another rival is the nearsightedMousse,who also fell into a cursed spring and becomes a duck when he gets wet, and finally, there is Genma and Soun's impish grand master,Happosai,who spends his time stealing the underwear of schoolgirls.

Ranma's prospective paramours include the martial arts rhythmic gymnastics champion (and Tatewaki's sister)Kodachi Kuno,and his second fiancée and childhood friendUkyo Kuonjitheokonomiyakivendor, along with the ChineseAmazonShampoo,supported by her great-grandmotherCologne.As the series progresses, the school becomes more eccentric with the return of the demented, Hawaii-obsessedPrincipal Kunoand the placement of the power-leeching alternating child/adultHinako Ninomiyaas Ranma's English teacher. Ranma's indecision in choosing his true love causes chaos in his romantic and school life.

Production

edit

Rumiko Takahashistated thatRanma ½was conceived to be a martial arts manga that connects all aspects of everyday life to martial arts.[4]Because her previous series had female protagonists, the author decided that she wanted a male this time. However, she was worried about writing a male main character, and therefore decided to make him half-female.[5]According to Takahashi, the idea of making Ranma "just kinda popped into [her] head," and she looked for a way to make it possible for him to go back and forth between genders.[6]It was then when she had a vision of a bathhouse's cloth entrance sign. She considered Ranma changing every time he was punched before deciding on water for initiating his changes. That decision led her to feeling that Jusenkyo had to be set in China, as it is the only place that could have such mysterious springs.[7]She drew inspiration forRanma ½from a variety of real-world objects. Some of the places frequently seen in the series are modeled after actual locations in Nerima, Tokyo (both the home of Takahashi and the setting ofRanma ½).[8]

In a 1990 interview withAmazing Heroes,Takahashi stated that she had four assistants that draw the backgrounds, panel lines and tone, while she creates the story and layout, and pencils and inks the characters.[9]All her assistants are female; Takahashi stated that "I don't use male assistants so that the girls will work more seriously if they aren't worried about boys." In 1992, she explained her process as beginning with laying out the chapter in the evening so as to finish it by dawn, and resting for a day before calling her assistants. They finish it in two or three nights, usually utilizing five days for a chapter.[5]

Takahashi purposefully aimed the series to be popular with women and children. In 1993, anAnimericainterviewer talking with Takahashi asked her if she intended the sex-changing theme "as an effort to enlighten a male-dominated society." Takahashi said that she does not think in terms of societal agendas and that she created theRanma ½concept from simply wanting "a simple, fun idea". She added that she, as a woman and while recalling what manga she liked to read as a child, felt that "humans turning into animals might also be fun andmärchenhaft... you know, like a fairy tale. "[10]In 2013, she revealed that at the start ofRanmaher editor told her to make it more dramatic, but she felt that was something she could not do. However, she admitted that drama did start to appear at the end. She also sat in on the voice actor auditions for the anime, where she insisted that male and female Ranma be voiced by different actors whose gender corresponded to that of the part.[11]

Media

edit

Manga

edit
Main article:List of Ranma ½ chapters

Written and illustrated byRumiko Takahashi,Ranma ½began publication in theshōnenmangaanthologyWeekly Shōnen Sundayissue #36 published on August 19, 1987,[12]following the ending of her seriesUrusei Yatsura.From August 1987 until March 1996, the manga was published on a near weekly basis with the occasional colored page to spruce up the usually black and white stories. After nearly a decade of storylines, the final chapter was published inWeekly Shōnen Sundayissue #12 on March 6, 1996.[13]The 407 chapters were periodically collected and published byShogakukaninto a total of 38 black and whitetankōbonvolumes from 1988 to 1996. They were reassembled in 38shinsōbanfrom April 2002 to October 2003.[14][15]AShōnen SundaySpecial edition for all 20 volumes was published from 2016 to 2018.[16]This edition included a series of interviews with Rumiko Takahashi called "The Making of Ranma."

North American publisherViz Mediaoriginally releasedRanma ½in a monthlycomic bookformat that contained two chapters each from 1992 to 2003, and had the images "flipped" to read left-to-right, causing the art to be mirrored. These were periodically collected into graphic novels. On March 18, 2004, after releasing 21 volumes, Viz announced that it would reprint a number of its graphic novels. The content remained the same, but the novels moved to a smaller format with different covers and a price drop.[17]Each volume covers roughly the same amount of material as the Japanese volumes, but retained its left-to-right format and had minor differences in grouping so that it spans 36 volumes rather than the original 38. The final volume was released in stores on November 14, 2006,[18]thus making it Viz's longest running manga, spanning over 13 years. AtAnime Expoon July 7, 2013, Viz Media announced re-release of the manga in a format that combines two individual volumes into a single large one, and restores the original right-to-left reading order (a first in North America for this series).[19]The first 2-in-1 book (volumes 1–2) was published on March 11, 2014; the final (volumes 35–36) on March 14, 2017.[20][21]On July 27, 2021, Viz released all 19 2-in-1 books digitally.[22][23]Madman Entertainmentpublishes the two-in-one version in Australasia.

Together withSpriggan,it was the first manga published in Portugal, byTexto Editorain 1995.[24]

First and second anime series

edit
Main article:List of Ranma ½ episodes

Ananimetelevision series was created byStudio Deenand aired weekly between April 15, 1989, and September 16, 1989, onFuji TVfor 18 episodes, before being canceled due to low ratings. The series was then reworked by most of the same staff, retitledRanma ½ Nettōhen(らんま⁠1/2⁠Nhiệt đấu biên)and launched in a different time slot, running for 143 episodes from October 20, 1989, to September 25, 1992. The anime stays true to the original manga but does differ by keeping Ranma's gender transformation a secret from the high school students, at least throughout most of its length. It also does not introduceHikaru Gosunkugiuntil very late in the series, instead,Sasuke Sarugakure,the diminutive ninja retainer of the Kuno family fills a number of Gosunkugi's roles in early storylines but is a major character in his own right. The anime also alters the placement of many story arcs and contains numerous original episodes and characters not adapted from the manga.

Viz Media licensed both anime series in 1993, makingRanma ½one of the first anime titles licensed by Viz. The English dub produced for the series was recorded byThe Ocean GroupinVancouver, British Columbia.They released the series on VHS from their ownViz Videolabel, and on DVD a few years later in association withPioneer Home Entertainment.Their releases collected both anime series as one, separated episodes into what they call "seasons", and changed the ordering of many of the episodes. Viz themselves re-released it on DVD in 2007 using their own DVD production company.[25]AtOtakon2013, Viz announced that they re-acquired the TV series forBlu-rayand DVD release in 2014. The show is streamed on their anime channel serviceNeon Alleysince Autumn 2013.[26]In September 2020,Toonamico-creator Jason DeMarco revealed that he had previously tried to getRanma ½aired on the American TV programming block, but "it's something we never were able to figure out, because, frankly, there's too much nudity."[27]Madman Entertainmentlicensed some of the series for release inAustralasia,although their rights expired after releasing only the first four "seasons" as one series.[28][29]

Films and original video animations

edit
Main article:List of Ranma ½ episodes § Films (1991–1994)

Studio Deen also created three theatrical films;The Battle of Nekonron, China! A Battle to Defy the Rules!on November 2, 1991;Battle at Togenkyo! Get Back the Brideson August 1, 1992; andSuper Indiscriminate Decisive Battle! Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenixon August 20, 1994. The first two films are feature length, but the third was originally shown in theaters with two other films:Ghost Sweeper MikamiandHeisei Dog Stories: Bow.

Following the ending of the TV series, 11original video animationswere released directly to home video, the earliest on December 7, 1993, and the eleventh on June 4, 1996.[30]All but two are based on stories originally in the manga. Twelve years later, aRanmaanimation was created for the "It's a Rumic World" exhibition of Rumiko Takahashi's artwork. Based on the "Nightmare! Incense of Deep Sleep" manga story from volume 34, it was shown on odd numbered days at the exhibition in Tokyo from July 30 to August 11, 2008.[31]But it was not released until January 29, 2010, when it was put in a DVD box set with theUrusei YatsuraandInuyashaspecials that premiered at the same exhibit.[32]It was then released on DVD and Blu-ray by itself on October 20, 2010.[33]Viz Media also licensed all three films, and the original 11 OVAs for distribution in North America (however they released the third film as an OVA).[34][35]MVM Filmshas released the first two films in the United Kingdom,[36][37]while Madman Entertainment released them in Australasia.

Third anime series

edit

A new anime adaptation was announced inWeekly Shōnen Sundayon June 26, 2024.[38][39]The new animeremakeseries, simply titledRanma ½,is produced byMAPPAand directed byKōnosuke Uda,with Kimiko Ueno writing the series' scripts, Hiromi Taniguchi designing the characters, andKaoru Wadacomposing the music. Most of the original Japanese voice cast for the main characters will reprise their roles. In contrast with the original animation, the remake will censor some Chinese communist symbolism. The series premiered on October 6, 2024, onNippon TVand its affiliates,[a]withNetflixlicensing it for streaming worldwide weekly after the Japanese broadcast. The opening theme is "Iinazukekkyun" performed byAno[ja],[41][42]while the ending theme is "Anta Nante" performed byRiria[ja]specifically for the anime.[43]Viz Media andHot Topichosted the world premiere of the first episode on August 23 duringAnime NYC.[44]Earlier that same month, it was reported that the first 12 episodes of the anime were leaked alongside many otherIyunolocalization company works.[45]

Episodes

edit
No.Title [46][47]Directed by [46]Written by [46]Storyboarded by [46]Chief animation directed by [46]Original air date [a]
1"Here's Ranma"
Transliteration: "Ranma Ga Kita"(Japanese:らんまが tới た)		Kōnosuke UdaKimiko UenoKōnosuke UdaHiromi TaniguchiOctober 6, 2024(2024-10-06)
In Tokyo of the 1980s, the Martial Arts Tendo Dojo lives Mr. Tendo along with his three daughters; the eldest Kasumi, the middle Nabiki, and the youngest Akane. Mr. Tendo informs them that one of them are going to marry Ranma Saotome, the son of his friend Genma. The father and son go on journeys to sharpen their martial art skills and they crossed into China on their latest trip, the Tendos are met by a panda and girl who turns out to be Ranma. Akane shows Ranma around and has a quick sparring match with them, wanting to befriend the visitor, until she goes off to take a hot bath, and witnesses Ranma transform into the man that her father was expecting, giving her quite a fright. After she calms down, the panda, revealed to be Ranma's father Genma, explains that two weeks ago, while in China they traveled to the legendary training ground Jusenkyo, but no one uses it anymore as it dangerous due to over a hundred natural springs form there and each has a tragic legend, during their fight Genma falls in a spring and comes out as a panda, the springs are cursed so when a person falls in a spring they become cursed and Ranma falls in a spring and comes out as a girl. But their curse is an on and off switch; they transform when they touch cold water and they turn back when they touch hot water. Ranma and Akane both do not want the engagement despite having similar personalities.
2"I Hate Men!"
Transliteration: "Otoko Nanka Daikkirai"(Japanese:Nam なんか đại っ ngại い)		Nobuyoshi AraiKimiko UenoKōnosuke UdaYoshiko SaitoOctober 13, 2024(2024-10-13)
3"Because There's Someone He Likes"
(Japanese:Hảo きな người がいるんだから)		Tadahito MatsubayashiKimiko UenoTadahito MatsubayashiTakeshi YoshiokaOctober 20, 2024(2024-10-20)
4"The Hunter"
(Japanese:Loạn mã を truy ってきた nam)		Parako ShinoharaKimiko UenoMitsue YamazakiNao OtsuOctober 27, 2024(2024-10-27)
5"Who Says You're Cute"
(Japanese:かわいくねえ)		Taro KuboKimiko UenoIkuo MorimotoHiromi TaniguchiNovember 3, 2024(2024-11-03)
6"Kodachi, The Black Rose"
(Japanese:Hắc バラ の tiểu thái đao)		Yoji SatoErika AndoTomohisa ShimoyamaTakeshi YoshiokaNovember 10, 2024(2024-11-10)
7"Hot Competition"
(Japanese:Nhiệt đấu tân thể thao)		Yasuhiro GeshiErika AndoHiroko KazuiYoshiko SaitoNovember 17, 2024(2024-11-17)
8"Darling Charlotte"
(Japanese:Ái し の シャルロット)		Nobuyoshi AraiMisaki MorieNobuyoshi AraiNao ŌtsuNovember 24, 2024(2024-11-24)

Video games

edit
Main article:List of Ranma ½ video games

There have been seventeenvideo gamesbased on theRanma ½franchise. While most arefighting games,there have been severalRPGs,puzzlegames, andPachinkoslot machines. The most recent game isPachislot Ranma 1/2,released on November 5, 2018, forPachinko.[48]Only two have been released in Western countries.Ranma ½: Chōnai Gekitōhenwas released in the US asStreet Combat;the characters wereAmericanized,having their appearances completely changed, and the music was changed as well.[49]However,Ranma ½: Hard Battlewas released in both North America and Europe unaltered.[49]

Live-action special

edit
Poster for theRanma ½TV drama, featuring the cast and artwork by Rumiko Takahashi

A live action television adaption ofRanma ½aired onNippon Television,in a two-hour time-slot, on December 9, 2011.[50][51]Although it was initially reported that the special would contain an original story, the film does take its main plot from one of the manga's early stories with several other early scenes mixed in. The special starsYui Aragakias Akane, withKento KakuandNatsuna Watanabeplaying male and female Ranma respectively.[52]Ryōsei Tayama is cast as the antagonist, the new original character Okamada.[53]The all-girl pop group9ninecontribute "Chikutaku☆2Nite"as the theme song.[54]It was released on both DVD and Blu-ray on March 21, 2012.[55][56]

Other media

edit

The Ranma ½ Memorial Bookwas published just as the manga ended in 1996. Acting as an end-cap to the series, it collects various illustrations from the series, features an interview with Takahashi,[57]and includes tidbits about Ranma: summaries of his battles, his daily schedule, trivia, and a few exclusive illustrations. AMovie + OVA Visual Comicwas released to illustrate the theatrical filmSuper Indiscriminate Decisive Battle! Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenixand theOVAepisodesThe One to Carry On(both parts). It also included information on the voice actors, character designs, and a layout of the Tendo dojo.

Additionally, guidebooks were released for three of theRanma ½video games; these included not only strategies, but also interviews.[58]Two books including interviews with the cast of the live-action TV drama, and some select stories, were released in 2011.[59][60]

The music from theRanma ½TV series, films and OVAs have been released on variousCDs.Four from the TV series, two from the first film, one from the second, one from the third film and OVAs, and three compiling the music byDoCoused in the OVAs.[61]DoCo is a pop group composed of the anime's main female characters'voice actresses.Several compilation albums were also released, some composed of the opening and closing theme songs and others ofimage songs.[62]Many of the image songs were first released as singles.

Reception

edit
ARanma ½-themed mural featuring P-chan and female Ranma inVic, Spain

By November 2006, it was reported thatRanma ½had sold over 49 million manga volumes in Japan.[63]Shogakukan has printed 53 million copies as of November 2011,[64]and by April 2021 it had 55 million copies in circulation.[65]

TheRanma ½anime was ranked number 17 onAnime Insider's 2001 list of the Top 50 Anime,[66]although the list was limited to series that were released in North America. It ranked 36th onTV Asahi's 2006 list of Japan's 100 favorite animated TV series, which is based on an online poll of the Japanese people,[67]up from the previous year's list where it ranked 45th.[68]In November 2006, theNew York Comic Conannounced that it would host the first-everAmerican Anime Awards.Fans had the chance to vote for their favorite anime online during the month of January 2007. Only the five nominees receiving the most votes for each category were announced on February 5. Among the 12 different categories,Ranma ½was voted into the "Best Comedy Anime" category, and theRanma ½OVAs were voted into the "Best Short Series" category.[69]A 2019NHKpoll of 210,061 people sawRanma ½andRanma ½ Nettōhennamed Takahashi's second best-animated work. Shampoo and Ranma were voted fourth and fifth place respectively in her characters category.[70]

AlthoughLumfrom Takahashi's first seriesUrusei Yatsurais often cited as the firsttsunderecharacter in anime and manga, Theron Martin ofAnime News Networkstated thatRanma ½'s Akane Tendo is closer to how they would later typically be portrayed in the 2000s. He also suggested that one could argueRanmais an early example of aharemor reverse harem series, due to the main character attracting suitors in both genders.[71]The series's publication in North America proved highly successful as well, being many Americans' first introduction to manga and its anime adaptation one of the first Japanese animation shows to achieve popularity in the US.[72][73]In an overview of the series,Jason ThompsoncalledRanma ½"the direct ancestor of all comedy-action manga, likeSumomomo MomomoandHistory's Strongest Disciple Kenichi",although noted that it was not the first, but only spanned the period when manga and anime sales were at their height.[49]Relating it to Takahashi's other works, he summed the series up as "At the start, the fighting is minimal and it's almost a semi-serious relationship comedy, likeMaison Ikkoku;then it turns completely ridiculous; and by the climax, when Ranma fights the evil bird-people of Phoenix Mountain in an excessively long and un-funny fight scene, it's like a warmup forInuyasha."[49]Reviewing the final volume of the manga,Anime News Networkremarked that "Every dimension of Rumiko Takahashi's storytelling skills come into play here: comedy, romance and introspection, and of course, high-flying fantasy martial-arts action."[74]However, they felt some of the action scenes were hard to follow and noted that the mirroring to left-to-right format caused errors with the art.[74]

In their review of Viz Media's season five DVD box set,Anime News Networkpraised the Japanese cast's performance and the animation, but criticized the English version's slight script changes and minor voice actors while praising its main cast. They also remarked that whileRanma ½is a classic, after a hundred episodes, the same jokes are just not funny anymore.[75]THEM Anime Reviews'Raphael See called the television series and the OVAs "one of the funniest things [he's] ever seen, anime or otherwise" and also praised the English dub as some of the best.[76]However, he was much more critical of the first two films particularly for both using the samedamsel in distressplot.[77][78]Mike Toole ofAnime News NetworkincludedBig Trouble in Nekronon, Chinaat number 83 on The Other 100 Best Anime Movies of All Time, a list of "lesser-known, lesser-loved classics," calling it "a solid action-comedy and a good, well-rounded example of the appeal ofRanma ½"[79]

Legacy

edit

Hiroshi Aroadmitted that he createdFutaba-kun Change!based onRanma ½.[80]Western comic book artists who have citedRanma ½as an influence include CanadianBryan Lee O'Malleyon his seriesScott Pilgrimand AmericanColleen Cooveron her erotic seriesSmall Favors.[81][82]

Film directorMakoto Shinkaimentioned thatRanma ½served as an inspiration for the 2016 animation filmYour Name.[83]Matt Bozon, creator of theShantaevideo game series, citedRanma ½as a big influence on his work. The title of the fourth game,Shantae:1⁄2Genie Hero,is also a tribute to the series.[84]

Notes

edit
  1. ^abNippon TV lists the series premiere on October 5, 2024, at 24:55, which is effectively October 6 at 12:55 a.m.JST.[40]

References

edit
  1. ^"Viz Media Concludes 2015 With an Action and Drama-Filled Digital Anime Update for December".Viz Media.Archivedfrom the original on June 28, 2022.RetrievedAugust 10,2018.The hilarious hijinks of the classic anime martial arts adventure, RANMA ½, continues with the addition of Season 5, Episodes 93–115 available to stream now in their entirety with dubbed English dialogue!
  2. ^"The Official Website for Ranma 1/2".Viz Media.Archivedfrom the original on July 19, 2017.RetrievedOctober 27,2017.
  3. ^Loveridge, Lynzee (July 15, 2017)."Celebrate 30 Years of Martial Arts Mischief with Ranma 1/2 Stamps".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on July 29, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.Rumiko Takahashi'sRanma 1/2martial arts romantic comedy is celebrating 30 years of gender-bending hijinks.
  4. ^Yoshida, Toshifumi."Inuyasha Comes to America".Furinkan.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedMay 18,2014.
  5. ^abAcres, Dylan."Interview in Italy".Furinkan.Archivedfrom the original on October 18, 2004.RetrievedMay 18,2014.
  6. ^"らんま１／２ １ | cao kiều Rumiko – tiểu học quán コミック".shogakukan-comic.jp(in Japanese).RetrievedJuly 18,2024.
  7. ^"Memorial Interview".Furinkan.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedMay 18,2014.
  8. ^"Miscellaneous – Inspirations".Furinkan.April 25, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon February 24, 2007.
  9. ^Smith, Toren."Career Retrospective".Furinkan.Archivedfrom the original on January 26, 2021.RetrievedMay 18,2014.
  10. ^Horibuchi, Seiji."Animerica Interview".Furinkan.Archivedfrom the original on January 17, 2020.RetrievedOctober 5,2009.
  11. ^"35th Anniversary Interview".Natalie.mu.RetrievedMay 18,2014.
  12. ^Tuần san thiếu niên サンデー 1987/08/19 tỏ vẻ số thứ tự 36.Bunka.go.jp(in Japanese).Agency for Cultural Affairs.Archived fromthe originalon August 2, 2019.RetrievedAugust 1,2019.
  13. ^Tuần san thiếu niên サンデー 1996/03/06 tỏ vẻ số thứ tự 12.Bunka.go.jp(in Japanese).Agency for Cultural Affairs.Archived fromthe originalon August 2, 2019.RetrievedAugust 1,2019.
  14. ^らんま１／２〔 tân trang bản 〕 / 1.Shogakukan(in Japanese).RetrievedMay 18,2014.
  15. ^らんま１／２〔 tân trang bản 〕 / 38.Shogakukan(in Japanese).RetrievedMay 18,2014.
  16. ^"らんま１／２ の đã khan một lãm – tiểu học quán コミック".shogakukan-comic.jp(in Japanese).RetrievedJuly 18,2024.
  17. ^"2004 Press Releases".Viz Media.April 25, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon December 30, 2009.
  18. ^"Product page for volume 36".Viz Media.October 20, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on February 8, 2010.RetrievedOctober 20,2006.
  19. ^Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 7, 2013)."Viz Media Adds Deadman Wonderland, Gangsta. Manga".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on September 13, 2016.RetrievedJuly 7,2013.
  20. ^"VIZ: Read a Free Preview of Ranma 1/2 (2-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1".viz.RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  21. ^"VIZ: Read a Free Preview of Ranma 1/2 (2-in-1 Edition), Vol. 19".viz.RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  22. ^Ranma 1/2 (2-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1ArchivedAugust 15, 2021, at theWayback Machine–VIZ Media
  23. ^Ranma 1/2 (2-in-1 Edition), Vol. 19–VIZ Media
  24. ^Pedro Cleto (November 15, 2004)."Fenómeno Manga ameaça explosão".bedeteca(in Portuguese).Archivedfrom the original on December 14, 2014.RetrievedDecember 14,2014.
  25. ^"Ranma 1/2: Season One: The Digital Dojo; TV Anime Season 1 DVD Box Set".Amazon.Archivedfrom the original on April 12, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  26. ^Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 10, 2013)."Viz Media to Release Ranma Anime on BD/DVD".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on September 6, 2022.RetrievedAugust 10,2013.
  27. ^Inoa, Christopher (September 28, 2020)."The Fairy Tale of Inuyasha: 20 Years Later".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on December 8, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 7,2021.
  28. ^"Ranma 1/2 TV Season 1 Collection".Mania.Archived fromthe originalon December 16, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  29. ^Hayward, Jon (October 2, 2006)."Madman Panel – Complete Report".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  30. ^"OVAs".Furinkan.November 17, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2012.RetrievedMay 31,2012.
  31. ^Loo, Egan (August 1, 2008)."New Ranma 1/2 Short Debuts at Takahashi's Tokyo Event".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on October 25, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  32. ^"It's a Rumic World スペシャルアニメBox【 hoàn toàn dư ước hạn định thương phẩm 】 (DVD)".Amazon.co.jp.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedMay 30,2012.
  33. ^"It's a Rumic World らんま1/2~ ác mộng! Xuân miên hương (DVD)".Amazon.co.jp.October 20, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedMay 30,2012.
  34. ^"Ranma 1/2: OVA Series Box Set".Amazon.Archivedfrom the original on April 12, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  35. ^"Ranma 1/2 Movie Box Set".Amazon.Archivedfrom the original on April 12, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  36. ^"Ranma 1/2 The Movie – Big Trouble Nekonron China".Mania.Archived fromthe originalon April 2, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  37. ^"Ranma 1/2 The Movie 2 – Nihao My Concubine".Mania.Archived fromthe originalon April 2, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  38. ^“らんま1/2” hoàn toàn tân tác アニメ chế tác quyết định! Đặc báo PV công khai 続 báo は ngày 17 tháng 7 にライブ xứng tin.Comic Natalie(in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 26, 2024.RetrievedJune 26,2024.
  39. ^Mateo, Alex (June 25, 2024)."Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2 Manga Gets New Anime".Anime News Network.RetrievedJune 25,2024.
  40. ^"Hōsō・Haishin Jōhō | Terebi Anime “Ranma 1/2” Koshiki Saito "Truyền ・ xứng tin tình báo | TVアニメ “らんま1/2” công thức サイト[Broadcast・Distribution Information | TV Anime “Ranma 1/2” Official Site].ranma-pr(in Japanese).RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  41. ^Cao kiều Rumiko ／ tiểu học quán (July 17, 2024)."TVアニメ “らんま1/2” 2024 năm ngày 5 tháng 10 ( thổ )より truyền / xứng tin quyết định! キービジュアル, đệ 1 đạn PVを công khai!! ".Hoàn toàn tân tác アニメ “らんま1/2” công thức サイト(in Japanese).RetrievedJuly 17,2024.
  42. ^Cayanan, Joanna (July 17, 2024)."New Ranma 1/2 Anime Reveals Returning & New Cast, Staff, October 5 Debut in 1st Trailer".Anime News Network.RetrievedJuly 17,2024.
  43. ^Loo, Egan (August 31, 2024)."Singer-Songwriter Riria. Performs New Ranma 1/2 Anime's Ending Song".Anime News Network.RetrievedSeptember 21,2024.
  44. ^Mateo, Alex (July 17, 2024)."Viz Media Screens World Premiere of New Ranma 1/2 Anime at Anime NYC on August 24 (Updated)".Anime News Network.RetrievedJuly 18,2024.
  45. ^"IGN: Netflix States Compromised Post-Production Partner Leaked Anime; Streaming Service is Aggressively Taking Action (Updated)".Anime News Network.August 9, 2024.RetrievedAugust 11,2024.
  46. ^abcde"Arasuji | Terebi Anime “Ranma Nibun-no-Ichi” Koshiki Saito "あらすじ | TVアニメ “らんま1/2” công thức サイト[Synopsis | TV Anime “Ranma 1/2” Official Site].ranma-pr(in Japanese).RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  47. ^"Watch Ranma 1/2 | Netflix Official Site".Netflix.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  48. ^"Video Games".Furinkan.April 28, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on January 23, 2013.RetrievedApril 28,2023.
  49. ^abcdThompson, Jason (January 26, 2012)."Ranma 1/2 – Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedJuly 5,2013.
  50. ^Loo, Egan (September 26, 2011)."Ranma 1/2 Manga Gets Live-Action Special with Yui Aragaki".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on September 29, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 27,2011.
  51. ^"Drama special" Ranma 1/2 "reveals its official poster".Tokyohive.Archivedfrom the original on November 18, 2011.RetrievedNovember 17,2011.
  52. ^Loo, Egan (September 26, 2011)."Live-Action Ranma 1/2's Supporting Cast, Writer Revealed".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on September 29, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 27,2011.
  53. ^Loo, Egan (October 6, 2011)."Ranma 1/2 Manga live-action new antagonist".Anime News Network.RetrievedOctober 6,2011.
  54. ^Loo, Egan (November 11, 2011)."Ranma 1/2 theme song by 9nine".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedNovember 11,2011.
  55. ^"らんま1/2 (DVD) (2012)".Amazon.co.jp.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 16,2013.
  56. ^"らんま1/2 (Blu-ray) (2012)".Amazon.co.jp.Archivedfrom the original on October 23, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 16,2013.
  57. ^"Interview with Rumiko Takahashi from the Memorial Book".WOT Club.April 25, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon May 2, 2007.
  58. ^"Manga Summaries".Furinkan.April 25, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon March 18, 2009.
  59. ^"らんま1/2～TVドラマ kỷ niệm ・よりぬき hoàn toàn bản ～ / thượng quyển".Shogakukan(in Japanese).RetrievedMay 18,2014.
  60. ^"らんま1/2～TVドラマ kỷ niệm ・よりぬき hoàn toàn bản ～ / hạ quyển".Shogakukan(in Japanese).RetrievedMay 18,2014.
  61. ^"TV Soundtracks".Furinkan.July 5, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedJuly 6,2012.
  62. ^"Compilation Soundtracks".Furinkan.July 5, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on July 16, 2013.RetrievedJuly 6,2012.
  63. ^"Anime News Service – October 18 – November 9 Anime News".Anime News Service.Archived fromthe originalon July 7, 2011.RetrievedJune 27,2011.RANMA has sold more than 49 million copies in Japan, and is one of the most recognized and acclaimed series ever produced.
  64. ^Loo, Egan (November 23, 2011)."Live-Action Ranma 1/2 TV Special's 1st Ad Aired".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2015.RetrievedOctober 19,2015.
  65. ^"Ngày 15 tháng 4 はアニメ『らんま1/2』 の truyền bắt đầu ngày. いま chấn り phản れば “Hoàn bích すぎる” thanh ưu trận ".Magmix(in Japanese). April 15, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on March 1, 2022.RetrievedMay 25,2021.
  66. ^"Wizard lists Top 50 Anime".Anime News Network.July 16, 2001.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2014.RetrievedOctober 18,2012.
  67. ^Loo, Egan (October 13, 2006)."Japan's Favorite TV Anime".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2018.RetrievedOctober 18,2012.
  68. ^Macdonald, Christopher (September 23, 2005)."TV Asahi Top 100 Anime".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on June 21, 2014.RetrievedOctober 18,2012.
  69. ^"New York Comic Con AAA Finalists".American Anime Awards.May 19, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon July 5, 2007.
  70. ^Loveridge, Lynzee (November 19, 2019)."The Results are in for NHK's Ultimate Rumiko Takahashi Poll".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on December 15, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 7,2021.
  71. ^Martin, Theron (April 2, 2014)."Ranma 1/2 Blu-Ray – Review".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on September 9, 2015.RetrievedAugust 29,2015.
  72. ^Silverman, Rebecca (March 19, 2014)."Ranma 1/2 [2-in-1 Edition] GN 1 – Review".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on January 25, 2021.RetrievedMarch 25,2015.
  73. ^"The Rising Sun Responds".Electronic Gaming Monthly.No. 55. EGM Media. February 1994. p. 24.
  74. ^abSantos, Carlos (February 6, 2007)."Ranma 1/2 GN 36".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on June 8, 2013.RetrievedJuly 5,2013.
  75. ^Dong, Bamboo (August 3, 2003)."Ranma 1/2 Season 5 DVD box – Review".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on February 9, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 16,2013.
  76. ^"Ranma 1/2 (Season 1)".THEM Anime Reviews.Archivedfrom the original on March 7, 2019.RetrievedAugust 29,2015.
  77. ^"Ranma 1/2 the Movie: Big Trouble in Nekonron China".THEM Anime Reviews.RetrievedAugust 29,2015.
  78. ^"Ranma 1/2 the Movie 2: Nihao My Concubine".THEM Anime Reviews.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2015.RetrievedAugust 29,2015.
  79. ^Toole, Mike (April 2, 2017)."The Other 100 Best Anime Movies of All Time, Part 1 – The Mike Toole Show".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on April 1, 2017.RetrievedApril 2,2017.
  80. ^Thompson, Jason (October 21, 2010)."Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga – Futaba-kun Change".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 6,2022.
  81. ^"Tokyo ComiCon 2017: Bryan Lee O'Malley (Scott Pilgrim) Talks about The Influence from 'Ranma 1/2'".Crunchyroll.December 2, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2022.RetrievedMay 26,2018.
  82. ^"Everyone Has Fun: Colleen Coover Talks 'Small Favors'".ComicsAlliance.February 16, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on May 27, 2018.RetrievedMay 26,2018.
  83. ^〈COLUMN1 nhập れ thế わりから thấy えてくる mặt trắng さ〉.『 quân の danh は. Công thức ビジュアルガイド』(in Japanese). Japan:Giác xuyên hiệu sách.August 27, 2016. p. 48.ISBN978-4-04-104780-4.
  84. ^"The Kickstart – Shantae Is Back In 1/2 Genie Hero".girlgamer. September 9, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon September 17, 2013.
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related toRanma ½.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ranma_½&oldid=1259334893"