Ranma ½

genre: comedy / action / romance

Saotome Ranma -- a typical young boy, with a not so typical curse. It seems that while he and his father were on a martial arts training expedition, they came across the fabled Jyusenkyo springs. What they didn't know was that anyone who fell into one the springs would forever be cursed -- by turning into whatever drowned in spring, should the victim be doused in cold water. Douse them in hot, and the hapless soul reverts to their normal self.

Tendo Akane is your typical, young school girl who doesn't like boys. Unlucky for her, she's engaged. To Ranma. Which, you'd think would be very lucky indeed... But that all depends on your point of view...

This popular long-running children's comedy was created by none other than the very prolific Takahashi Rumiko, whose other works include such popular titles as Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, and the more serious Rumic World series. Ranma 1/2 is populated by several memorable (and popular!) characters, including the fan-favourite 'P-Chan', whose likeness can be found as a stuffed anime in many toy stores across the nation. The series is distributed in North America by Viz Video.

Parental Guidance Advised - Viz Video advertises this as a 'martial arts sex comedy', though we beg to differ -- this is not a 'sex comedy' at all in the traditional sense, it's a gender role / role reversal / juvenile / marital arts comedy. No sex whatsoever. Bear in mind that the Japanese audience has different standards with regards to casual nudity, so you'll see various scenes with bare-chested, well-developed young girls throughout the series. Some of the movies seem to dwell inordinately on large jiggly breasts, but for the most part, it's harmless.

• The Movie: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China
• The Movie 2: Nihao, My Concubine

• Ranma: The Movie encyclopædia entry