
Welcome to Manga Unmasked! In this series, we'll be taking a deep dive into the various manga series available in our collection. So, whether you're already a fan of manga or just a curious reader, we hope you might learn a little about your next potential reading obsession. In this edition, Ranma has a lot going on between his martial arts training, an arranged marriage he never agreed to, and—oh yeah—the curse that turns him into a girl with a splash of cold water. Change this relationship status to: It's Complicated.
Check out the previous manga explored with the Manga Unmasked series—My Hero Academia, Spy x Family, Sailor Moon, Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki, One-Punch Man, One Piece, Delicious in Dungeon, Apothecary Diaries, Witch Hat Atelier, Kaiju No. 8, Mob Psycho 100, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and MHA: Vigilantes.
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Don't see your favorite manga, anime, or author in this list or our collection? Suggest materials to add to our catalog.
A Little Background

Ranma 1/2 is a shōnen* manga that blends slice-of-life, rom-com, supernatural fantasy, and martial arts. It was written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. The series was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from August 1987 to March 1996, and its chapters were collected into 38 volumes.
*Shōnen means "young man/boy." For manga/anime, shōnen is the term used for stories generally marketed to a younger male audience but is a genre anyone can enjoy.
In addition to Ranma 1/2, Rumiko Takahashi is known for writing and illustrating Urusei Yatsura (1978-1987), Maison Ikkoku (1980-1987), Mermaid Saga (1984-1994), One-Pound Gospel (1987-2006), Rumic Theater (1987-present), Inuyasha (1996-2008), Rin-ne (2009-2017), and Mao (2019-present).
Ranma 1/2 has been adapted into anime a few times in the past decades. Its first two adaptations, Ranma 1/2 and Ranma 1/2 Nettōhen, aired from 1989 to 1992 on Fuji TV, releasing an additional 12 OVAs and three films. A live action special was aired on Nippon Television in 2011. Jumping to October 2024, an updated animated series produced by MAPPA began airing on Nippon Television and streaming on Netflix.
With over 55 million copies in circulation, Ranma 1/2 remains one of the best-selling manga series to date. The 2024 animated adaptation has been nominated for six categories at the 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2025, including Best Comedy, Best Romance, and Best Ending Sequence.
A Genre/Gender-Bending Adventure

Ranma Saotome has a problem. First, his father has promised that Ranma would marry one of three Tendo daughters to carry on the legacy of the Tendo Dojo, which is owned and operated by Soun Tendo. Second, one splash of cold water turns him into a girl. You see, Ranma and his father, Genma, were cursed while training in the Bayankala Mountain Range in the Qinghai Province of China. Both Ranma and his father fell into the cursed springs in Jusenkyo, and now cold water—be it rain or a dip in a pool or a glass of water to the face—transforms Genma into a panda bear and Ranma into a girl. Fortunately, hot water reverses the effects. If only his romantic and school life had so simple a solution. Despite his gender-swapping, Ranma's still stuck in an arranged engagement with the definitely-uncute, martial arts tomboy Tendo daughter.
Akane Tendo has a problem. First, she strongly dislikes boys—or at least the boys at her school who are way too eager to defeat her and win a date. Second, her father made a deal with his old friend that either Akane or one of her two sisters would marry his son... only... the Ranma that shows up at their doorstep is a girl with a panda. She's pretty and good at martial arts and could become a good friend... only... Ranma isn't a girl all the time, and the arranged marriage is still on, and her sisters have dumped the engagement on Akane. What?!
No way are they going to go along with this arranged marriage. They can't stand each other!
The Promised Couple


Ranma Saotome
Ranma is the main protagonist of Ranma 1/2. Ranma has been trained in martial arts—in the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryu, or "Anything Goes" style—since he was a toddler by his father. They have traveled across China in pursuit of Ranma, the heir to the Saotome branch of the Anything Goes Martial Arts, mastering his martial arts and becoming a "man among men."
During their travels, Genma and Ranma come across the cursed springs at Jusenkyo, where each pool carries the curse of transforming anyone who falls into the water takes the shape of whatever drowned in that particular pool. Ignoring the warnings, Genma and Ranma proceed to train on the bamboo poles above the pools... and both fall in.
Being able to switch between boy and girl with a splash of cold or hot water doesn't get in the way of Ranma's training, but it does make Ranma's romantic life way more complicated when both girls and boys crush on either of Ranma's forms. Not to mention, he's arranged to be married to a toyboy girl who dislikes boys.


Akane Tendo
Akane is the deuteragonist of Ranma 1/2 and is the youngest of Soun Tendo's three daughters. Akane is a bit of a tomboy, though she does strive to be cute at first, and she is comically strong for her size. She practices martial arts in her father's dojo and fights off—literally—the many advances of the boys at her school.
Akane can't stand boys... So why did her older sisters decide she was best for the arranged marriage with Ranma? Well, he's not a boy all the time.
- Ranma 1/2 Volumes
**This list includes a brief summary of the events in each book. Here there be spoilers, so read the later summaries at your own risk.
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 1 by Rumiko TakahashiA one-to punch of action and comedy by one of Japan's most beloved creators!
Teenaged martial artist Ranma Saotome went on a training mission with his father one day... well, actually they'd been training for years, but this day was different. At a legendary training ground in China, the two had a little accident.
A fall into some cursed springs triggered a transformation. Now, every time Ranma is splashed with cold water, he changes into a girl. His father, Genma, when splashed, changes into a panda! Does this complicate their lives? You bet!
Battle of the Sexes
Years ago, Genma promised his old friend Soun Tendo that Ranma would marry one of Soun's three daughters, and carry on the family's martial arts school. Except that the girl picked to be Ranma's bride doesn't seem to like him, Ranma keeps getting into fights... and did we mention that whole changing into a girl thing?
ImageOne day, teenaged martial artist Ranma Saotome went on a training mission with his father, and ended up taking a dive into some cursed springs at a legendary training ground in China. Now, every time he's splashed with cold water, he changes into a girl. His father, Genma, changes into a panda! To make matters worse, Ranma's supposed to be engaged to a girl who doesn't like him—or at least says she doesn't.
Challenging Situations
Being a martial artist, Ranma just can't resist the call to combat, and takes on one opponent after another: Ryoga, a lone-wolf fighter with no sense of direction; Kodachi, the "Black Rose" of rhythmic gymnastics; and finally, Asuza Shiratori and Mikado Sanzenin, the freestyle figure skating champions. Is there such a thing as TOO much fighting spirit?
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 3 by Rumiko Takahashi
The figure skating contest to decide the ownership of Akane's pet pig, P-chan, continues, with the addition of yet another team of combatants. (Let's just say Ryoga has a personal interest in the outcome.) Then, Ranma has to face his most dangerous threat yet—a Chinese Amazon warrior named Shampoo who has pledged to kill him...and will stop at noghing until she does!
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 4 by Rumiko Takahashi
Chinese Amazon warrior Shampoo hasn't given up on Ranma yet—only instead of killing him, she now wants to marry him! There's just a few obstacles in the way of their future happiness, starting with a childhood phobia of Ranma's that's very relevant when it comes to Shampoo. Then there's Shampoo's suitor Mousse, martial arts master of hidden weapons, and her formidable grandmother, Cologne!
This is introduction to Ranma’s phobia, due to Genma’s negligence. This leads to Tatawinki Kuno and Gosunkugi to trap him. This is also introduction to Mousse who is Shampoo’s childhood friend.
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 5 by Rumiko TakahashiShampoo's great-grandmother Cologne has every intention of seeing her great-granddaughter marry Ranma, and to that end, she promises to teach Ryoga an ultimate martial arts move—the Bakusai Tenketsuor "Breaking Point" technique. Can Ranma defeat his greatest rival for Akane's affection? Or a better question might be, does he even want to?
1) This is the continuation of Ranma getting the Phoenix Pill from cologne to cure him from cologene curse from hot water.
2) Ryoga is learning a new technique breaking point from Cologne to fight ranma.
3) Ranma captured and force to marry another suitor and force to fight in Martial arts tea ceremony.
4) Akanie Ranma and Shampoo compete in a Martial arts Take-out contest
ImageBack when Ranmas's father Genma and Akane's father Soun were young martial artists, they learned the secrets of the Anything-Goes School of Martial Arts from one of the greatest masters of all time. Unfortunately, he's also someone they would do just about ANYTHING to get away from, and the entire Tendo household is about to find out why...
The introduction of Happosai, Ranma must find a way to stop his juvenile rampage. Akane fights the Dojo Destroyer, while Ranma dates Shampoo in order to gain the magic to stay a guy.
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 7 by Rumiko Takahashi
Akane's always wanted to play the role of Juliet on stage, and she's finally going to get her chance...that is, if she could just decide on one Romeo. Hidden springs, cookie contests, and persistent paparazzi—will Ranma's life ever settle down?
Akane gets the lead in the school play and Ranma learns that kissing is such sweet sorrow. Ryoga and Ranma try to find the legendary "Spring of Drowned Man," and twisted sister Kodachi Kuno concocts poisoned treats to snare Mister Saotome.
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 8 by Rumiko Takahashi
Ranma's latest rival is Ukyo Kuonji, a chef in the art of cookingokonomiyaki, a Japanese griddle specialty. But this latest fight is more than just a rivalry with a fellow martial artist—Ukyo's issues with Ranma go all the way back to childhood, and a certain promise he once made...
Ryoga teams up with Ukyo, goes on a date with Akane, and meets his long-lost fiancée. Meanwhile, Ranma and Akane both swallow "love pills" supposed to make them fall for the first person they see.
ImageShampoo's spurned suitor Mousse wants revenge, and to that end, he's kidnapped Akane, and made her the star attraction of a circus act that promises to have her transform—thanks to water from a certain Chinese spring—into a duck! Then, mailbox-impersonating weirdo Tsubasa arrives in town in pursuit of Ukyo's love!
Shampoo's spurned suitor Mousse wants revenge on Ranma for "stealing" the object of his affection. He's kidnapped Akane, and made her the star attraction of a circus act where she turns into a duck.
ImageAkane powers up! First, Shampoo feeds her some magical Chinese steamed treats, then some special sobanoodles give her super strength...with unfortunately disastrous after-effects! Then, Furinkan High gets a new principal who hails from Hawaii...and who has some very radical ideas about student discipline!
Akane gets all sorts of magical power-ups, first when Shampoo feeds her some magical Chinese steamed treats, then from some soba noodles that give her super strength. What she didn't count on were the disastrous after-effects.
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 11 by Rumiko Takahashi
Poor lovesick Ryoga—doomed to forever pine over the girl who thinks of him only as her pet pig P-chan...not that she knows how he feels, or that he is her pet pig, for that matter. A magical bar of soap could change this sad state of affairs, but both Shampoo and Ranma also want that particular bath product for themselves! Then, Ranma finds out what it feels like to be a loser for once, when Happosai applies a strength-sapping formula that leaves Ranma weak as a baby!
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 12 by Rumiko Takahashi
Ranma's recent weakness has convinced him he needs a new technique, and he's gone to the wilds of Japan to train. Cologne shares her knowledge of the Hiryû Shôten Ha, the "Heaven Blast of the Dragon," a technique that harnesses a combatant's battle aura and unleashes it into a powerful blast...but the learning curve is more challenging than he ever expected. Then, the sound of a bell brings Shampoo a new suitor, Akane takes swimming lessons, and Genma gains a new friend!
ImageThat's what Ranma said! With the "Mark of the Gods" now upon him (which is actually nothing more than a doodle representing a school of martial arts calligraphy), the only way Ryoga can rid himself of the mark is to lose in a fight--hopefully, to Ranma. Fox-Fu...Feline-Fu...Flat-Frog Fu...not a one of Ranma's "ultimate desperation strikes" seems to be working. For Akane, it's just too crazy to believe that P-chan may secretly be Ryoga. Better use some extra-hot water to wash that doodle off P-chan, though, just in case...
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 14 by Rumiko TakahashiThe legendary Dragon's Whisker...! Described by a reluctant Ranma as the "seal" that keeps something "terrible" from happening, four steamed pork buns have come all the way from Qinghai Province, China, in search of it. But what can it be?! Ranma wants it...the martial artist pork buns want it...Genma wants it. It looks like a simple pigtail-holder, but it's got to be more than that. According to Cologne, once hair kept bound by the Dragon's Whisker is gone, it's gone for good. Ranma's really cutting it close, this time...
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 15 by Rumiko Takahashi
Ooh, le horreur! A stranger has shown up at school and he's eating everyone's lunch. Meet Picolet Chardin II, master of the trés terrifying "La Belle France School of Martial-Arts Dining." It turns out that Soun and Genma—as they've been known to do, once or twice—have promised one of their children in exchange for a debt, and now that debt's come due. A style of martial arts based on eating doesn't seem as though it would be all that difficult to master...but, then again, the size of the mouths in Picolet's family barely seem even human! If Ranma can't defeat Picolet at his own game, it'd be more than "La Belle France"—it'd be wedding bells!
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 16 by Rumiko TakahashiThe theft of the "Visitor's Registry" from the Jusenkyo Guide in Qinghai Province is only the start of the tragedy for Ranma and the others...but, for the unfortunately named "Pantyhose Taro," it's going to be the end! Over 10 years ago, a pregnant woman gave birth at the cursed springs of Jusenkyo. A quick dunking into a nearby spring by Happosai—where a yeti-riding-an-ox-while-carrying-an-eel-and-a-crane drowned 2,500 years ago—seals the fate of the bouncing baby...um, demon...and now it's out for revenge! For not only did Happosai turn the baby into the monster it's become, he also—
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 17 by Rumiko TakahashiSure, the only one who recognizes the engagement between Ukyo and Ranma may be Ukyo herself, but that still counts for something, doesn't it? Ten years ago, Ukyo made a special okonomiyaki sauce—which Ranma secretly ruined. Unaware of what Ranma had done, Ukyo to this day can't quite understand why Ranma's being extra nice to her despite the phenomenal failure of her special sauce. Akane's onto Ranma, though, and one way or another, he's going to pay. Which will it be, Ranma? The okonomiyaki frying pan, or the fire that comes from slurping down that nasty sauce itself...?
ImageRanma 1/2: Volume 18 by Rumiko TakahashiIt's the same old song. Ryoga-confronts-Ranma-and-Ranma-defeats-Ryoga (pause) Ryoga-confronts-Ranma-again-and-Ranma-defeats-Ryoga-again (fade out). Powerful martial artist though he may be, Ryoga has yet to defeat Ranma, and how depressing is that? Not every technique is suited to every martial artist (at least that's what Ranma's dad Genma says). What Ryoga needs is a technique suited to his own unique strengths—to his depression, that is! Sure, asking Akane to say "I hate you!" may be the quickest way for Ryoga to power up, but even if Ryoga's body survives his new technique's blast, will his heart be able to withstand the blow?
TV and Streaming
The first Ranma 1/2 anime created by Studio Deen and aired on Fuji TV hit the small screen on April 15, 1989. It ran for 18 episodes before being canceled due to low ratings. It was reworked, renamed Ranma 1/2 Nettohen, and aired in a different time slot for a second try. It ran for 143 episodes from October 1989 to September 1992. The anime version of the series differed in places from the original manga storyline and characters, including introducing anime-only arcs and characters.
In 1993, Ranma 1/2 was one of the first titles licensed by Viz Media. It was dubbed in Vancouver and released on VHS and DVD in collections of reordered episodes.
Ranma 1/2 has three original movies created by Studio Deen: The Battle of Nekonron, China! A Battle to Defy the Rules! (1991), Battle at Togenkyo! Get Back the Brides (1992), and Super Indiscriminate Decisive Battle! Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Pheonix (1994). Eleven original video animations (OVAs) were released directly to VHS.
The newest Ranma 1/2 anime adaptation produced by MAPPA with Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions is streaming on Netflix. It's the same story with an updated—but still nostalgic—style, and most of the original Japanese voice cast for the main cast have returned to reprise their roles. Season one started in December 2024, and season two has been confirmed.
- Ranma 1/2 Anime on DVD
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Ranma 1/2 (Subbed) - Season One
Ranma 1/2 (Subbed) - Season Two
Ranma 1/2 (Subbed) - Season Three
Ranma 1/2 (Subbed) - Season Four
Ranma 1/2 (Subbed) - Season Five
Ranma 1/2 (Subbed) - Season Six
Ranma 1/2 (Subbed) - Season Seven
Ranma 1/2 (Dubbed) - Season One
Ranma 1/2 (Dubbed) - Season Two
Ranma 1/2 (Dubbed) - Season Three
Ranma 1/2 (Dubbed) - Season Four
Ranma 1/2 (Dubbed) - Season Five