 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | VIZ MEDIA | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 4:3 FULL SCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH AND JAPANESE DD 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 600 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | T+ | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 11/27/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 11/26/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
SYNOPSIS:
The story of a boy who turns into a girl, a father who turns into a panda and the strange Chinese curse what did it to ‘em.
It’s not easy being teenage martial artist Ranma Saotome, bit it’s even worse when your martial-artist father Genma takes you from home at an early age to go on a decade-long training mission. He doesn’t speak a word of Chinese, and yet he insists upon bringing you to the cursed training ground known as Jusenkyo, where falling into one of the many springs there instantly turns you into whoever-or whatever- drowned there last. And then, the two you have this little accident… From now on, a splash of cold water will turn your father into a giant panda, while you…well you turn into a red-haired (and problematically well-built) female version of yourself. Hot water will reverse the effect, but only until the next time. What’s a half-guy, half-girl to do? All 24 episodes of the TV’s second season on five DVD discs in an inexpensive and newly repackaged thinpack box set. REVIEW:
More Ranma fun, gender bending comedy and martial arts romantic mayhem are in the fourth season of Ranma ½. This season boasts some longer story arcs that cover at least two, sometimes three episodes. One involves him turning weak after Happosai uses a nasty trick on him leaving Ranma without any physical strength. It allows for a touching moment between him and Akane. A particularly funny arc has Ryoga getting a comical tattoo on his belly that gives him incredible strength, so much so that he may be able to defeat Ranma at last! However, it may also be the one thing in his moment of triumph that could reveal to Akane that he is also her pet little black pig P-chan! That little black pig is a consummate favorite of fans and the end of this arc highlights the brazen little pot belly. The stand alone episodes are numerous and each a comedic treat. There’s a monk who can foretell the future and informs Kuno who the perfect women fated for him is and it’s Nabiki! It gives fans a special of the scheming Tendo sister as she winds Kuno up over their pending (supposed) nuptials. Later, the possible appearance of Ranma’s mom has the household in an uproar, Kuno gets possessed by a sword, there’s a return of the Hawaiian Headmaster from Hell, a ghost cat demanding Shampoo to marry him, a new teacher who’s so enthusiastic he’s driving his students crazy, a story about Kasumi and a man from her past and it’s not the doctor, and that’s barely covering half of the season! One of the funniest episodes in this season for me was when Kuno gains the power of three wishes. To wile that last one away from Kuno, Ranma is willing to do anything to get it and be able to wish himself to never turn into a girl again. But when he says anything, does that include having to use feminine cunning on Kuno as Ranma’s girl-self and actually let the kendo lecher…kiss him as a her?! If he really never wants to be a girl again, he may just have to kiss Kuno to do it! Another especially fun episode is when Shampoo is up to her old tricks with grandma’s help. A magical red thread of fate will bind Ranma and make him think he’s in love with her. It actually works and they’re about to get hitched when everyone turns up in arms over it. One half wants to make sure they get married in order to have Akane to themselves and get rid of male Ranma as competition. The other half wants to make sure Shampoo’s plan fails in order to keep Ranma for themselves or to get Shampoo. It ends up in a huge and hilarious brawl and highlights the romantic martial arts comedy that this anime is based on. There are many things that Ranma fans will enjoy. There are episodes that highlight nearly each of the larger cast of this show, including one episode that focuses on Mousse and his plight trying to win Shampoo’s heart. Plus old enemies return, like the doodling fetishist Azusa and this time has her target set on Kuno. It leads to another all out ice match with Akane and Ranma. And new enemies show up like the ghost cat, poker man, and more. The season finale involves the return of Shampoo’s young Amazon sisters Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung. They’re intent on making sure their sister’s Amazon honor is upheld. They won’t return to China with their sister in disgrace for not having yet married Ranma. So they set off to do in each of Ranma’s “fiancées” including Ukyo, Kodachi…and Akane! Then they decide to defeat Ranma! They use their special attack on him and the battle turns into a grudge match between the two girls and Akane. Sure the show is silly at times, but that’s all part of the enjoyment. It’s a cheerful anime that is pure entertainment. It’s cheery and lighthearted. Ranma is pure fun. EXTRAS:
Bonus features include clean opening and closing animation, line art gallery, staff credits and actor profiles. IN SUMMARY:
Ranma ½ is pure comedic anime enjoyment. Any anime that can blend martial arts comedy and romance this well is brilliant.
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