Season One of Ranma 1/2 introduces the colossal problem that Ranma and his father have. Ranma Saotome is dragged to the cursed training ground known as Jusenkyo by his father in order to buff up on his martial arts skills (of which this series is stuffed with!). Too bad falling into one of the many springs at the Chinese grounds instantly turns you into whoever (or whatever in Ranma's father's case) drowned there last. Now, the duo are cursed when hit with cold water! Ranma ends up a beautiful (and busty) redheaded female that no male can resist, and his unfortunate father manages to turn into a giant panda! Weird? Yes. Entertaining? Immensely. Most of Season One deals with Ranma trying to find a cure for his ailment and dealing with his fiancee who is a self-declared hater of men.
Season Two of Ranma 1/2 introduces more characters to the mix, and deviates a bit from the original manga. They added extra martial arts goodness to the mix, however, to make up for the changes. Ranma is still battling his fiancee, and a horde of others that are in love with him... as both a male and a female!
Ranma 1/2 Season Three seemed to fall a bit in terms of production and plot. Ukyo is introduced as another of Ranma's suitors, and Ranma actually likes this girl! Too bad it is only as a friend.
Ranma 1/2 Season Four is undeniably... weird. Acid trip while drinking sake upside down on a jelly bean hammock... weird. I've never had the privilege of seeing the first three seasons, but from what I'm hearing, the original voice of Ranma is not featured in this season. This does not bother me for two reasons. One, I don't have a clue what the first guy sounded like, and two, the voice for Ranma 1/2 Outta Control Season Four is the same voice that does Inuyasha. Oh, how I love Inuyasha's voice!
The introduction song for Ranma 1/2 Outta Control Season Four is danceable. I literally got up from the couch and started dancing when it came on. It is catchy, fun, and I can't stop playing it (which is very sad, I realize). On a down side, I think that is my favorite part of the box set. Don't get me wrong, Ranma 1/2 Outta Control is full of martial arts goofiness, perverted men, and slapstick comedy; however Season Four is lacking an overall plot.
The first episode involves teachers dressed as animals, exploding coconuts, and a new principal that sounds way too much like Jar Jar Binks for my tastes. The principal drives me insane! His accent is grating and I feel for the students when they torture the man to find a certain coconut. Unfortunately, he is involved way too much in the first few episodes. The first disk heralds the triumphant return of Furinkan High School's long lost principal (ugh). He insists that all boys receive buzz cuts and all girls receive "boy style" haircuts. Surprisingly enough... no one is happy about this. While the turmoil of the hair wars rages, a student, Kuno, has been possessed by a cursed sword and Ranma has been drained of all his power!
Disc two of Ranma 1/2 ushers in a woman that we think is Ranma's mother. Shampoo returns from China with a bell that has a giant ghost cat attached to it! The ghost kitty is searching for a bride (I didn't know ghost cats could marry in China). Apparently, the writers thought a lot of "long-losts" and cursed items were a good idea for Season Four. They also introduce a new teacher on disc two. The teachers at Furinkan High School are totally mental; I wish they would have taught at my high school!
The third disc of the bunch lays a lot on you all at once. The ghost cat episode is still my favorite (who doesn't love ghost cats?), but this was pretty darn entertaining as well. Ranma's father runs off into the woods to take care of a weird little boy claiming he is sick. A fortune teller gives Kuno some news about his future bride, and Ryoga gets scary strong via a tattoo. Ryoga's plight continues on into the fourth disc as Ranma tries to defeat the tattooed man.
In disc four, Ranma has to suck it up and go on a date (in his female form) with Kuno in order to potentially cure his curse. I think the poor boy/girl is just a slab of meat to both sexes this entire series! Even Shampoo gets in on the action with a magic thread that makes Ranma fall in love with her. The series ends with a threat to the Tendo Dojo, Akane running away, and a lot of martial arts chaos that threatened to make my face explode.
Ranma 1/2 has its moments that make your jaw brush the ground, your sides split from laughter, and your eyes roll into the back of your head. The art wasn't the most amazing I've ever seen, but it was good enough. The show isn't suitable for younger children bases on some mild nudity, but thirteen and ups should enjoy this goofy series. Bases on recommendations from mega fans, I am going to check out the first couple seasons. Apparently, the art, voice acting, and plots are a lot more enjoyable. Either way, it was an entertaining (if not occasionally repetitive) way to kill some time.
