Ranma ½

Ranma ½
Company type	Manga franchise
Industry	Manga, anime, entertainment
Predecessor	Urusei Yatsura
Founded	August 19, 1987; 39 years ago
Founder	Rumiko Takahashi
Headquarters	Nerima, Tokyo, Japan
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Rumiko Takahashi (creator)
Products	Manga, anime series, OVAs, films, live-action special
Owner	Shogakukan (manga publisher)

Ranma ½ is a Japanese manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi, which was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from August 1987 until March 1996. The series was collected into 38 volumes by Shogakukan. The narrative follows the teenage martial artist Ranma Saotome, who suffers from a curse causing him to transform into a girl when splashed with cold water, and revert to his male form upon contact with hot water. Ranma’s efforts to lift this curse are complicated by an array of allies, adversaries, and arranged fiancées.

The story employs a comedic approach centered on a gender-fluid protagonist who tactically exploits his transformations. The plot is propelled by an extensive ensemble cast characterized by intricate relationships and unique traits, although the core dynamics among characters remain stable once introduced.

The manga inspired two anime adaptations produced by Studio Deen—Ranma ½ and —which aired on Fuji TV between 1989 and 1992. This also included 12 original video animations (OVAs) and three feature films. A live-action television special was broadcast on Nippon Television in 2011. A new anime series produced by MAPPA debuted in October 2024 on Nippon Television and Netflix. English-language rights for North America are held by Viz Media, while Madman Entertainment manages distribution of the manga and anime in Australasia, and MVM Films handles the first two films for the UK market.

With sales exceeding 55 million copies worldwide, Ranma ½ stands as one of the best-selling manga franchises globally and is credited as a groundbreaking work that helped popularize manga and anime in the United States.

Plot

While training in the Bayankala Mountain Range located in Qinghai Province, China, martial artist Ranma Saotome and his father Genma accidentally fall into cursed springs at . These mystical springs cause anyone exposed to cold water to transform into an animal or form associated with a previous drowning victim, reverting back upon exposure to hot water. As a result, Genma turns into a panda, whereas Ranma changes into a female version of himself.

Soun Tendo, who owns the Tendo dojo and practices the "Anything-Goes School" style of martial arts, had arranged a marriage between his daughters and Genma’s son to ensure the dojo’s future. Soun’s three daughters—composed Kasumi, cunning Nabiki, and spirited martial artist Akane—are part of this agreement. Akane, being Ranma’s peer, is designated as his fiancée despite their mutual reluctance, which leads to frequent encounters characterized by their well-known love-hate relationship.

Ranma attends school alongside Akane, where he meets rivals such as Tatewaki Kuno, the kendo team captain who pursues Akane but also unknowingly harbors feelings for Ranma’s female form. The town of Nerima serves as the backdrop for ongoing martial arts clashes involving characters like Ryoga Hibiki—who becomes a black piglet after falling into another cursed spring—and Mousse, who transforms into a duck when wet. Adding to the chaos is the mischievous grandmaster Happosai, notorious for stealing underwear from schoolgirls.

Romantic complications arise with figures such as Kodachi Kuno, a champion in martial arts rhythmic gymnastics; childhood friend and second fiancée Ukyo Kuonji, who runs an okonomiyaki stand; and the Chinese Amazon warrior Shampoo, supported by her great-grandmother Cologne. The school environment becomes increasingly eccentric with characters like the Hawaii-obsessed Principal Kuno and power-draining English teacher Hinako Ninomiya. Ranma’s wavering affections contribute significantly to ongoing disruptions in both his personal life and school affairs.

Production

Rumiko Takahashi developed Ranma ½ as a martial arts-themed manga that intertwines daily life with combat arts. Having previously created female protagonists, she opted for a male main character but incorporated a half-female aspect to simplify storytelling. The concept of gender transformation originated spontaneously, inspired by a sign at a bathhouse entrance, which led to the idea of changes triggered by water. This plot device required the setting of Jusenkyo to be in China, a country associated with enigmatic springs. Many locations within the series are based on actual sites in Nerima, Tokyo, which is both Takahashi’s hometown and the story’s backdrop.

In an interview from 1990, Takahashi disclosed that she worked with four female assistants who managed backgrounds, panel outlines, and shading, while she concentrated on narrative development, layouts, and character illustrations. She deliberately avoids employing male assistants to preserve a productive atmosphere. Her workflow typically involves drafting chapter layouts overnight and then collaborating with her team over several days to finalize each installment.

Takahashi aimed Ranma ½ primarily at a female and younger audience. When questioned about whether the gender-swapping theme was intended as a critique of patriarchal society, she clarified that her intention was simply to craft an entertaining story inspired by fairy tales and transformation themes. Despite suggestions to introduce more dramatic elements early on, she preferred to keep the tone lighthearted initially, allowing drama to evolve gradually. Additionally, she took part in selecting voice actors for the anime adaptation, insisting that the voices for male and female Ranma be portrayed by actors matching each respective gender.

Manga

Created and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi, Ranma ½ debuted in the shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday issue #36 on August 19, 1987, following the conclusion of her previous work Urusei Yatsura. The series was published almost weekly until March 1996, culminating in 407 chapters. These chapters were compiled by Shogakukan into 38 black-and-white volumes released between 1988 and 1996; these were later reissued as 38 volumes from 2002 to 2003. A special edition by Shōnen Sunday encompassing all 20 volumes was issued from 2016 through 2018, including interviews with Takahashi under the title The Making of Ranma.

In North America, Viz Media initially published Ranma ½ as monthly comic books from 1992 until 2003, reversing the artwork for left-to-right reading. These issues were later gathered into graphic novels. In 2004, Viz announced a reprint version that maintained the original content but featured smaller dimensions and lower pricing. Viz's collection consists of 36 volumes, slightly rearranged compared to the Japanese editions. The final volume appeared in November 2006, marking Viz's longest-running manga release over more than thirteen years. In 2013, Viz revealed plans for a new edition combining two volumes into one while restoring the original right-to-left reading format. The first double-volume was published in March 2014; the last followed in March 2017. All nineteen two-in-one editions were digitally released by Viz on July 27, 2021. This version is distributed in Australasia by Madman Entertainment.

Alongside Spriggan, Ranma ½ was among the earliest manga titles introduced in Portugal by Texto Editora in 1995.

Initial and Follow-up Anime Series

The first anime adaptation, created by Studio Deen, was broadcast on Fuji TV from April 15 to September 16, 1989, totaling 18 episodes before being discontinued due to poor viewership. Subsequently, the series was revamped and retitled , moving to a new time slot and running for 143 episodes from October 20, 1989, until September 25, 1992. While closely following the original manga, the anime conceals Ranma's gender-changing ability from most high school characters and rearranges story arcs, incorporating new episodes and characters not found in the source material.

In 1993, both series were licensed by Viz Media, marking Ranma ½ as one of their initial anime acquisitions. The English-language dub was produced by Ocean Productions in Vancouver and initially distributed on VHS through Viz Video, later appearing on DVD via Geneon USA. Viz merged the two series into a single collection, reorganized episodes into distinct "seasons," and modified the episode sequence. A DVD reissue was released by Viz's own production division in 2007. At Otakon in 2013, Viz announced plans for a Blu-ray and DVD release scheduled for 2014. Since autumn 2013, the series has been available for streaming on Viz's Neon Alley platform.

In September 2020, Jason DeMarco, co-creator of Toonami, disclosed that attempts to broadcast Ranma ½ on the American TV block were unsuccessful due to concerns over nudity in the content. Madman Entertainment secured licensing rights for parts of the series in Australasia but only issued the first four "seasons" before their rights expired.

The original anime (1989–1992) covers roughly 56% of the manga material—adapting 229 chapters from volumes 1 through 22 out of the total 38 volumes.

Films and Original Video Animations

Studio Deen produced three feature films: The Battle of Nekonron, China! A Battle to Defy the Rules! (released November 2, 1991), Battle at Togenkyo! Get Back the Brides (August 1, 1992), and Super Indiscriminate Decisive Battle! Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix (August 20, 1994). The first two films were full-length theatrical releases; the third premiered alongside two other movies—Ghost Sweeper Mikami and Heisei Dog Stories: Bow.

Following the conclusion of the television series, eleven original video animations (OVAs) were launched between December 7, 1993, and June 4, 1996, primarily adapting stories from the manga. In 2008, a new Ranma animation debuted at Tokyo’s "It's a Rumic World" exhibition based on the "Nightmare! Incense of Deep Sleep" chapter. This short was later included in a DVD box set alongside specials from Urusei Yatsura and Inuyasha in 2010 and subsequently released individually on DVD and Blu-ray later that year.

For North American distribution, Viz Media acquired licensing rights for all three films as well as the eleven OVAs—treating the third film as an OVA release. In the United Kingdom, MVM Films managed distribution of the first two movies, while Madman Entertainment handled releases within Australasia.

Third Anime Adaptation

A fresh anime adaptation was announced in June 2024 through Weekly Shōnen Sunday. This remake series titled Ranma ½ is produced by MAPPA, with planning and production overseen by Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions. The project is directed by Kōnosuke Uda, featuring series composition by , character design by Hiromi Taniguchi, and music composed by Kaoru Wada. Most original Japanese voice actors have returned to reprise their roles. Unlike its predecessor, this version censors certain Chinese communist imagery. The initial season aired from October 6 through December 22, 2024 on Nippon Television and affiliated stations. Globally, Netflix streamed episodes weekly following their Japanese broadcast. The opening theme is "Iinazukekkyun" performed by Ano, while the ending theme "Anta Nante" by was specifically created for this adaptation. On August 23 at Anime NYC, Viz Media partnered with Hot Topic to premiere the first episode worldwide. Earlier that month, leaks of the entire first season surfaced online along with other localization projects from Iyuno, prompting Netflix to initiate vigorous DMCA takedowns.

Immediately after the first season finale aired, a second season was confirmed with returning staff and cast members. It is slated to premiere in October 2025 on the same network and affiliates.

Episodes

{{Episode list EpisodeNumber 11 EpisodeNumber2 11 Title You I Love TranslitTitle Wǒ Ài Nǐ NativeTitle 我愛你 NativeTitleLangCode zh DirectedBy Tokio Igarashi WrittenBy Kimiko Ueno Aux2 Tokio Igarashi Aux3 Yoshiko Saito OriginalAirDate ShortSummary Shampoo clarifies the Amazonian law mandating marriage or death after defeat by outsiders; she aggressively pursues male Ranma and confronts Akane intensely, resulting in Akane’s memory loss and heightened school tensions. LineColor ED7CAE }} {{Episode list EpisodeNumber 12 EpisodeNumber2 12 Title Shampoo Cleans Up TranslitTitle Hissatsu Shanpū NativeTitle 必殺シャンプー NativeTitleLangCode ja DirectedBy Yoji Sato WrittenBy Kimiko Ueno Aux2 Ikuo Morimoto Aux3 Nao Ōtsu OriginalAirDate ShortSummary To recover Akane’s memories wiped out by Shampoo’s Shiatsu method, Ranma secures a unique shampoo formula from China under pressure. He stages a feigned demise of his female form to persuade others, triggering Akane’s memory restoration through familiar insults. After witnessing Ranma’s split identity exposed, Shampoo leaves. LineColor ED7CAE }} }}

Video games

The Ranma ½ franchise has spawned seventeen video game titles, predominantly fighting games, alongside several RPGs, puzzle games, and Pachinko slot machines. The most recent installment is Pachislot Ranma 1/2, released on November 5, 2018, for the Pachinko platform. Only two games were introduced to Western audiences: Ranma ½: Chōnai Gekitōhen, which was renamed Street Combat with modified characters and soundtrack, and Ranma ½: Hard Battle, which was distributed unchanged in North America and Europe.

Live-action special

A two-hour live-action TV adaptation was broadcast on Nippon Television on December 9, 2011. While initially reported as an original narrative, it mainly adapts an early manga storyline with added introductory scenes. The production features Yui Aragaki as Akane, with Kento Kaku and Natsuna Watanabe playing the male and female versions of Ranma respectively. The antagonist Okamada, portrayed by Ryōsei Tayama, is a character created specifically for this special. The theme song "Chikutaku☆2Nite" was performed by the pop group 9nine. The special became available on DVD and Blu-ray on March 21, 2012.

Other media

Published upon the manga’s conclusion in 1996, The Ranma ½ Memorial Book acts as a comprehensive series finale volume. It includes artwork compilations, an interview with creator Takahashi, summaries of Ranma’s battles and daily life, trivia, and exclusive illustrations.

A Movie + OVA Visual Comic was released to promote the theatrical film Super Indiscriminate Decisive Battle! Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix alongside the OVA episodes titled The One to Carry On (both parts). This release featured voice actor details, character sketches, and layouts of the Tendo dojo.

Guidebooks for three Ranma ½ video games offered gameplay strategies and interviews. In 2011, two additional books containing interviews with the live-action drama cast and selected stories were published.

Music related to the Ranma ½ TV series, films, and OVAs has been issued across various CDs: four albums from the TV show; two from the first movie; one each for the second and third movies and OVAs; plus three collections featuring DoCo’s music—a pop group formed by the principal female voice actresses who contributed significantly to the OVAs. Additional compilation albums include opening and ending themes as well as image songs, many originally released as singles.

Reception

By late 2006, the Ranma ½ manga had surpassed 49 million copies sold within Japan. Shogakukan had printed 53 million volumes by November 2011, with circulation numbers reaching 55 million by April 2021.

The Ranma ½ anime secured the 17th position on Anime Insider’s Top 50 Anime list in 2001 and climbed to 36th place in TV Asahi's 2006 ranking of Japan's most beloved animated TV shows, improving from 45th the year before. At the inaugural American Anime Awards in 2007, Ranma ½ earned a nomination for "Best Comedy Anime," while its OVAs were contenders for "Best Short Series." In a 2019 poll conducted by NHK, the series was ranked as Takahashi’s second most acclaimed animation work, with characters Shampoo and Ranma placing fourth and fifth respectively. The 2024 anime adaptation garnered six nominations at the 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards held in 2025, including categories such as Best Comedy and Best Romance.

Theron Martin from Anime News Network observed that Akane Tendo serves as an archetype for contemporary female characters, and identified Ranma as an early example of harem or reverse harem genres due to its variety of admirers. The series’ release in North America was notably successful, introducing many American viewers to manga and becoming one of the first major Japanese animation hits in the U.S. market. Jason Thompson described Ranma ½ as the "direct predecessor of all comedy-action manga," emphasizing its unique combination of humor, romance, and martial arts sequences.

While Anime News Network lauded the manga’s narrative, it noted that certain fight scenes could be difficult to follow and pointed out issues arising from left-to-right mirroring of the artwork. Their review of Viz Media’s fifth season DVD highlighted praise for the original Japanese voice cast and animation quality but criticized minor alterations in the English script and voice performances, also mentioning that the humor became somewhat repetitive after numerous episodes. THEM Anime Reviews praised both the TV series and OVAs as some of the most humorous anime ever produced, commending the English dub but finding fault with the first two films for their repetitive storylines. Mike Toole of Anime News Network ranked Big Trouble in Nekronon, China among underrated classics due to its effective blend of action and comedy.

Legacy

Hiroshi Aro has acknowledged that his creation of Futaba-kun Change! was influenced by Ranma ½. Among Western comic creators inspired by the series are Canadian artist Bryan Lee O'Malley (known for Scott Pilgrim) and American cartoonist Colleen Coover (creator of Small Favors). Renowned filmmaker Makoto Shinkai cited Ranma ½ as an influence on his 2016 movie Your Name. Additionally, Matt Bozon, who developed the Shantae video game franchise, credits the series as a significant source of inspiration; notably, the title of the fourth installment, Shantae: 1⁄2 Genie Hero, serves as an homage to Takahashi’s work.

External links

archived at Shōnen Sunday Museum
at Viz Media