It’s just so fun to see gender roles beaten the hell out of everyone, man.
What it's about
After falling in a Chinese hot spring, brash teenage martial artist Ranma Saotome is cursed to transform into a female version of himself and back every time he’s doused in water, which makes a major mess of the various engagements his selfish father promised, including the dojo owner’s daughter Akane Tendo.
The take
Genderbending isn’t a completely foreign trope for Western audiences, but it’s rare to see the shenanigans that happen in Ranma ½, which takes a genderbending water curse to form a complicated web of relationships, that starts out as a casual romance comedy (albeit with plenty of kicks) and eventually evolves into a ridiculous fighting fantasy adventure. It’s rather revolutionary for its time, in part due to Ranma’s queer gender, but also due to its precursor of the harem trope, as well as its then-new take on the tsundere in Ranma’s intended fiancée Akane Tendo. Ranma ½ is eccentric, but the chaotic comedy is also so entertaining to watch.
What stands out
It’s not great that every time Ranma transforms into a girl, everyone is compelled to feel Ranma up, but it’s so satisfying to see Ranma beat the hell out of them immediately after.
Comments
Add a comment
Your name
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
Blue Box
Two kids fall in love with their sport (and maybe each other) in this charming coming-of-age series
7.6
The Queen of Villains
An intimate, sweet depiction of the savage world of ‘80s joshi wrestling
9.0
My Love: Six Stories of True Love
A simple ode to life-long partnership
8.0
Rilakkuma and Kaoru
Netflix's first stop-motion anime is cute, quirky, and surprisingly profound.
8.2
Atlanta
Absurd but genuine drama-comedy by multi-talent Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino
9.6
Uzumaki
A small town spirals over spirals in this strange, supernatural mini-series
7.8
Barry
Bill Hader's dramedy brainchild is dark and very funny
9.0
Loudermilk
An endearing comedy series about a nonchalant AA facilitator
7.0
Fermat’s Cuisine
Math and the culinary arts mix in this tasty live-action manga adaptation
7.0
Black Snow
A cold case Outback murder mystery revealing Australia’s colonial past