Remember when we were all buzzing about the Ranma 1/2 reboot back in August? Well, after what felt like forever, it finally dropped on Netflix on 5th October, bringing the classic anime to a whole new bunch of fans. It’s the second major work from the legendary manga artist Rumiko Takahashi to get a reboot recently, following the successful revival of Urusei Yatsura which wrapped up over the summer.
The new Ranma 1/2 promised to be a true and exciting reimagining of the original we all loved, and with just two episodes in, it’s definitely delivered on that promise.
With MAPPA, the animation studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man at the helm, and most of the voice cast from the original show returning, the beloved gender-bending romantic comedy is finally getting the revival it deserves. (Its two previous anime adaptations ended way before the manga did in 1996)
It’s been a bit over thirty years since Ranma Saotome graced our screens, but Ranma’s story was remarkably progressive for its time, so it still feels fresh even now. This new adaptation promises to introduce viewers to one of the most hilarious and notoriously convoluted romantic comedy casts in history. So if you’re wondering whether you should catch Ranma 1/2 on Netflix, here’s why it’s definitely worth adding to your watch list this weekend.
Ranma 1/2 follows Ranma Saotome, a brash teenage martial artist who, after an unplanned dip in a Chinese hot spring, becomes cursed to transform into a female version of himself whenever he gets splashed with cold water, while hot water changes him back to a boy. Needless to say, hijinks ensue!
Since this is a rom-com, a lot of the episodes revolve around Ranma attracting suitors of both genders. Throwing another wrinkle into the mix, thanks to a long-standing agreement between their fathers, Ranma has already been betrothed to his short-tempered, man-hating classmate Akane. And Ranma will be picking up engagements like Pokemon as the series goes on.
It’s all very goofy, packed with lots of puns and slapstick humour interspersed with frenetic and colourful martial arts fight scenes. The series piles on character after character for Ranma to navigate, all with a winking, kinda queer approach to romance that was truly ahead of its time. Between the show’s setting — ‘somewhere in Tokyo in the ’80s’ — its retro art style, and vibrant, infectious colour palette, MAPPA makes it clear this is a loving homage to the original.
If you enjoy light-hearted anime with plenty of action, then Ranma 1/2 should be your next watch on Netflix. The first season will have twelve episodes in total, with new episodes rolling out each Saturday until 21st December 2024.
