Ranma is a regular guy with a not-so-regular problem. See, when he was
training in China, he accidentally fell in a cursed spring. As a result,
whenever he comes in contact with cold water, he turns into a she.
Not to worry, a splash of hot water to turns Ranma back to his male self just
as quickly. It doesn't help that Ranma's future marriage has already been
arranged by his father... and that several girls and guys are after both
boy-type and girl-type Ranma!
Review: Ranma 1/2 (OVA)
Anybody who goes through Animetric with a fine-toothed comb (quite an amusing
pastime I assure you) will be aware that yours truly has hitherto reviewed
Ranma 1/2 on two previous occasions -- first the manga series, and then the Ranma TV series.
Indeed I spend an inordinate amount of time reading and watching Ranma manga
and anime. Sometimes even I fear to take a cold shower, in case I turn into a
pig-tailed girl, a panda, or something less savory.
Anyway, before the men in white coats come and take me away, let me tell you
about the excellent Ranma OAV Series
(I got the 12 episode DVD set). Overall, this is an excellent package
with many moments of hilarity. It only falls short of a 5-star rating due to
the inclusion of some odd clunkers. Here are the episodes therein:
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 1 - Curse of the Contrary Jewel
Grandma Cologne gives Shampoo a necklace that turns her love for Ranma into
hate in a highly devious scheme to entrap Ranma into marrying her
granddaughter. Confused? You just have to find out what it all means by
watching this hilarious episode. (5 stars)
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 2 - Tendo Family Christmas Scramble
A rather dull episode about a Christmas party at the Tendo residence. I wonder
if this one is based on a Rumiko story because I don't recall reading anything
so boring in the Ranma manga... (2 stars)
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 3 - Akane vs. Ranma! I'll Be the One to Inherit Mother's Recipes!
Mediocre episode about Akane and girl-type Ranma competing in the kitchen... I
guess it's worth the odd giggles. (3 stars)
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 4 - Stormy Weather Comes to School! Growing Up with Miss Hinako
Now this is more I like it! Possibly my favorite Ranma episode ever! Enter the
new school teacher, cute little Miss Hinako who looks like a 9-year old
girlie... that is, until she absorbs the energy from other people
(leaving them limp as a wet rag) and transforms into a voluptuous Vogue
cover girl type of babe. Happosai is no match for her, so how will Ranma fare?
Unmissable! Had me in stitches, in fact, I think I'll go watch it again right
now! ^^ (infinite numbers of stars)
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 5 and 6 - The One to Carry On, Part 1 and 2
Lengthy arc about two girls who show up wanting to take over the Tendo dojo.
Good fighting sequences. Reasonably entertaining. Can't compare to the Miss
Hinako ep, of course! (3.5 stars)
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 7 and 8 - Reawakening Memories, Part 1 and 2
A mysterious call beckons Akane to a monster island (that is an island
chock-a-block with monsters, even more than your average government). Watch
out for a rare romantic ending. Good fun! (4 stars)
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 9 - Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix
BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! Just thinking about that "Legendary Phoenix" makes me
laugh. The funniest looking bird you'll ever see has made a home for itself on
Kuno's head. Why and wherefore you'd better find out for yourself.
BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! (5 stars)
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 10 - Oh Cursed Tunnel of Lost Love! Let My Love Be Forever
An amusing ep about Ukyou's scheme to break up and Ranma and Akane's
relationship by suggesting that they go to a haunted tunnel of love...
(4 stars)
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 11 - Hell Hath No Fury Like Kasumi Scorned
Heehee! A favorite of both Ro and myself. Sweet and kindly Kasumi gets
possessed by a demon that makes her carry out evil acts. Still, she does them
in that unique characteristically nice Kasumi-esque way. The scene where she
irons the Panda's arm is priceless! (5 stars)
Ranma 1/2 (OVA) Episode 12 - The Two Akanes, "Ranma, Look At Me!"
More possession! A great ghostly ep! Ranma accidentally knocks a
"goddess" doll down from its perch and breaks it to pieces. It doesn't
help that he does a very poor job of reassembling it. The doll is not at all
pleased and plans her revenge, starting with switching souls with Akane...
(5 stars)
The artwork in the OAV series is of a very high standard, but for some reason
I prefer the less polished Ranma TV art better. I just find that it more
closely resembles Miss Takahashi's original character designs. This is not a
serious problem though, and does not detract from the fun in the least. So
there you have it, possibly my last Ranma review! No Ranma fan should be
without this DVD set.
Miscellanies: Ranma 1/2 (OVA)
I think Ms. Hinako should have a series of her own!
Ranma 1/2 OVA | |
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 6 |
| Status | Finished Airing |
| Aired | Oct 21, 1993 to Aug 19, 1994 |
| Producers | Kitty Films, Pony Canyon, Fuji TV |
| Studio | Studio Deen, Kitty Film Mitaka Studio |
| Rating | PG-13 - Teens 13 or older |
| Themes | Magical Sex Shift, Martial Arts |
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