Ranma 1/2 TV Series

[shooraijin]

This has now been converted into an official review in the main database:
http://www.christiananime.net/forums/reviews.php?display=64

[shooraijin]

Manga:
Viz has translated about half or so (to date) of the various manga collections
for domestic sale. At the current rate, all of the manga should be available
in a couple more years. The show is not wholly faithful to the manga and has
many episodes that are not based on it at all, and of those that are, the
plot sometimes diverges notably. The first two box sets and the OAVs are
probably the most faithful; the other seasons less so.

Summary:
Ranma 1/2 is one of the most successful shows in Japanese television history.
In a notoriously fickle market where even high quality shows barely persist
past twenty or thirty episodes, this show achieved widestream popularity for
years and even in reruns is a strong draw. The show has been translated into
many languages, and with its Chinese scenes and plots is popular even in the
authoritarian People's Republic of China where it enjoys a cult following.
The key to this popularity is its familiar plots of Japanese daily life,
school, romance and rivalry, updated by the magical fantasy story line and
a cast of humourous, over-the-top characters driven by sharp writing and
charming art. Despite content that could be problematic for some younger
viewers, the show itself is tremendous fun and very entertaining -- the third
season being some of the funniest anime episodes ever created. Please note
that if the nudity disturbs you or is a personal stumbling block, this is not
a show to watch (and by skipping the majority of it by skipping the first
season, you will miss out on many of the key characters and some of the
best episodes) -- simply stay away. Otherwise, this show deserves the
reputation it has as one of the longest-running, most entertaining animes,
and well-worth your investment.

Official CAA Age Rating: 13+ (for brief nudity, rare suggestive content,
rare language and slapstick violence)

[Kite]

Thank,thank,thank you!!! I read the reivew and from what I saw is no worse then my first .hack manga.

[shooraijin]

Right, but this is the anime now

[MasterDias]

How many volumes of manga does Ranma 1/2 have?

[shooraijin]

There are 38 tankoobon, 24 of which have been translated into English so far (okay, more than half, so I can't do division). #25 is in progress.

[Keito-chan]

Ive been watching the ranma 1/2 dubb english and i find it good, but i was annoyed when they changed ranmas voice, because it just makes him sound completely different, and more like a girl -.-'' I have the tv series part 2, how many more are there after this?

[Rev. Doc]

Ive been watching the ranma 1/2 dubb english and i find it good, but i was annoyed when they changed ranmas voice, because it just makes him sound completely different, and more like a girl -.-'' I have the tv series part 2, how many more are there after this?

That's really kind of funny because the first person to voice Ranma was a girl, Sarah Strange. The second was Richard Cox. I prefer the original myself.

[Mithrandir]

Very well done. It's nice to have a resident expert on hand to review, ne? Incidentally - Is there a reason it's not in the DB?

[shooraijin]

Mostly because 1) I don't have access (I think?) and 2) the DB wasn't up when I wrote this ... unless the address I have is wrong. PM me.

One thing to add to the anime review DB, too, would be a link back to a thread in the anime forum so it can be discussed. I think that would add a lot

[Retten]

Hey nice review very indepth this will come in handy if I ever decide to buy the series but with 161 TV eps I dont if that will ever happen

[shooraijin]

> I prefer the original myself.

So do I. In fact, in the "wrap up" bonus video on the last disc of box set 7, Richard Ian Cox remarks that about half the "fan" mail he got when he took over the role consisted of the words, "where's Sarah?"

Cox did grow into the role, and gradually made it his own, but Sarah Strange was still the best Ranma in terms of style. She (ironically) had a richer voice and one that seemed to go better with a buff martial arts teen than Cox's, which seems to be kind of whiny and effeminate. (Apologies to all Inu-Yasha fans ... Cox is the voice of Inu-Yasha too. )

> I have the tv series part 2, how many more are there after this?

The complete domestically available Ranma collection goes like this. (There are some various specials that have not been released outside of Japan ... yet. )

Box sets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... so, five more. Save your pennies
OAV box set
Movie 1
Movie 2 (see separate Movie/OAV reviews)

[Shao Feng-Li]

i like this review.. id own Ranma in an instant if it werent for the little nudity....*sigh* at any rate, it sounds cleaner than inuyasha....

[true_noir_chloe]

Great review, Shooraijin! That is one of the most thorough and impressive reviews I've read for awhile. I'm still working my way through Ranma1/2. I left off at the end of season 3. Is it season 4 that Richard Ian Cox takes over? I probably won't notice since it's been so long since I've seen an episode.

[shooraijin]

Yeah, he starts with the first disc of Season 4. (But, because of the timing in which the dubbing was done, Sarah Strange "reappears" in both movies and all the OAVs.)

[Mithrandir]

*snickers* It's there, silly. I'll PM you the URL.

[Keito-chan]

Wow you know alot about ranma 1/2 ^^ There is one more thing i don't understand, do you watch the OVA after the series, also in the OVA i downloaded ranma's voice was done by Sarah Strange. Theres so many to get @_@ Im gonna have to say alot of pennies! ^.^''

[Rev. Doc]

Wow you know alot about ranma 1/2 ^^ There is one more thing i don't understand, do you watch the OVA after the series, also in the OVA i downloaded ranma's voice was done by Sarah Strange. Theres so many to get @_@ Im gonna have to say alot of pennies! ^.^''

I think it would be good to have the first three seasons watched before you go on to the OAVs and movies. That way you have most of the major characters covered and their relationship to one another. But the OAVs and movies are pretty much stand alone stories and are not dependent of your having seen the entire 161 episodes of the TV series to understand so it's really not a big deal if you really wish to see those at any point. And the animation is so good it's really a treat.

[shooraijin]

I agree. About the only major characters not yet introduced by the end of third season would be the Principal, and Gosunkugi (and both are relatively minor in the scheme of things, and in the OAVs). In fact, that's pretty much what I did when I waiting for the fourth box set to come out.

[Gypsy]

Well, I think after reading the reviews that I'll want to check the series out. I never used to care for Rumiko's stuff, but since I started watching Maison Ikkoku, it's been growing on me. Ranma seems to have lots of unique and individual characters - something that I look for in an anime. Also, I don't think the story could be accused of being rushed with that many episodes ... I hate it when I get attached to a short series. In any case, this series has made it to my "to buy" list. The first box set is called Digital Dojo, correct?

[Rev. Doc]

The first box set is called Digital Dojo, correct?

Yes, that is correct.

[Gypsy]

Thanks! ^^ I was just double checking because most of the Ranma dvds on ebay are ... well, not official. Although I must admit - getting the entire dubbed TV series for less than $130 is tempting ... I'm being a good girl and doing pointed searches for a legit boxset.

[shooraijin]

> The first box set is called Digital Dojo, correct?

Right (inexplicably at that ... it's not called that in the original Japanese).

[Mithrandir]

Muhuhahaha! Another convert!

[madphilb]

I have to say that I've not looked into this Anime because I thought it was way worse than what it sounds like it is... I may have to check it out. Thanks Shooby (we can call you that, can't we? )

[Shao Feng-Li]

What is the "Baka song"? last friday during jujistu, sensei mentioned it, and said it was from ranma 1/2...

[Gypsy]

*laughs* It's a great song! I'm sure Shooraijin will tell you ALL about it!

[Shao Feng-Li]

if i heard right its just " baka baka baka baka..."

[shooraijin]

Well, mostly. It's off the Song Calendar spin-off album (import only, sorry), where Akane sings about what a jerk Ranma is (thus "baka baka baka baka baka!!!!"), and the entire song is done in a spoof heavy metal style. It's an absolute riot, especially when it suddenly slows down.

[Kite]

I plan on getting the box sets some time. Hipposoi is whack!