Ranma 1&1/2

Serina

12 grade

Ranma 1&1/2

Rumiko Takahashi

Akane Tendo, a terribly tomboyish girl and the middle child in a strange family thinks her life is odd enough as it is until her father tells her that his old friend is coming for a visit with his son in tow, who one of his three daughters will have to marry. With her 'I hate boys' attitude, Akane wants nothing to do with the new boy. However, her already hectic life is about to get much, much worse. A giant panda comes to town, carrying a kicking and cursing young woman, who claims to be Ranma Saotome, the future 'husband' for one of the Tendo girls. Obviously, none of them want to be betrothed to a girl, so the issue of marriage is dropped for the time being. Akane prides herself on being a martial artist and challenges Ranma to a match as way of being friendly. She is quite surprised to discover that Ranma is probably the best martial artist she's ever seen, and tells her, "At least you're a girl. I would hate to lose to a boy." Ranma is then pressured to use the household bath and Akane walks in to discover that there is a strange boy in the bathtub. After much explanation and yelling on Akane's part, it is discovered that the boy is in fact Ranma, and the giant panda is his father. The terrible tale began when Ranma and his father took a training trip in China and fell into one of the many accursed springs at the Jusenkyo training grounds. Legend has it that whatever drowned in it last, the unfortunate person who fell in will turn into when doused with cold water. As it happens, Ranma fell into the 'spring of drowned girl," and he changes back into a boy when submerged with hot water. Akane's sisters are all too happy to set her up with Ranma since she hates boys and Ranma is half girl. The problem is, Ranma is totally full of himself and thinks Akane is an unattractive tomboy. With tons of love triangles, slapstick comedy, and gender-bending hilarity, Ranma 1&1/2 is always interesting, even though it gets a bit repetitive in the 36 graphic novels it fills.

I picked this book up just because it sounded like so much fun.

I finished this book series because it was always amusing and the art was adorable.

I'd give this book to anyone who likes slapstick comedy (giant hammers and anvils included)

Rating ****