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Ranma ?, Vol. 5
Ranma and Shampoo change into cats, and Ranma becomes invincible. But what happens to Shampoo? This tale combines action, adventure, and romantic comedy, and is the longest-running manga in the United States.
- GenresManga
212 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,557?books2,063?followersRumiko Takahashi (¸ßÇÅÁôÃÀ×Ó) was born in Niigata, Japan. She is not only one of the richest women in Japan but also one of the top paid manga artists. She is also the most successful female comic artist in history. She has been writing manga non-stop for 31 years.
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Ch¨±¨ High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Sh¨nen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ?. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of sh¨nen martial arts manga, Ranma ? features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ? is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Ch¨±¨ High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Sh¨nen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ?. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of sh¨nen martial arts manga, Ranma ? features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ? is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 26, 2014
This book brightened my day. Even the last panel on the last page, with a total throwaway joke, cracked me up. Ranma ? is still so unlike anything else I read, and it's a delight. It has no shame about absurdity, parodying martial arts combat dramas in a way that's entirely relatable to my own action movie culture. The point at which a love triangle is put to the test in a "martial arts food delivery contest" is sublime even before the roof-hopping heroes are interrupted by a master skateboarder.
It's a weird series, but with great heart. It's also refreshingly different from most forms of Fantasy, which tend to raise stakes and take matters farther and farther from the lead characters' hands. Here, as most conflict arises from unrequited love, the ploys and battles are always on the terms of the participants. Ranma doesn't love Shampoo, but can be goaded into betting his marital life on a race if his pride is called out, and in the course of one page, he's suckered just like that. No bringing The Ring to Mordor, no terrorist plot against the Soul Society. The ridiculous plots are actually about what the characters want to do with their lives. This is shockingly rare in modern fiction, and with Takahashi's oddball sense of humor and affection, is an utter delight to read.
Beyond that, Takahashi seems to relish writing an ever-expanding cast. Now we'll get Ranma's father popping up in a background, smirking for just one panel, and it enriches the scene he's in. Characters who aren't in the forefront of the plot still cycle in to needle each other, or to have highly endearing cameos. The overall feeling of the world is still nebulous with possibilities, but more enjoyable for how the author has populated it.
Bonus points for this volume actually wrapping up all its story arcs.
It's a weird series, but with great heart. It's also refreshingly different from most forms of Fantasy, which tend to raise stakes and take matters farther and farther from the lead characters' hands. Here, as most conflict arises from unrequited love, the ploys and battles are always on the terms of the participants. Ranma doesn't love Shampoo, but can be goaded into betting his marital life on a race if his pride is called out, and in the course of one page, he's suckered just like that. No bringing The Ring to Mordor, no terrorist plot against the Soul Society. The ridiculous plots are actually about what the characters want to do with their lives. This is shockingly rare in modern fiction, and with Takahashi's oddball sense of humor and affection, is an utter delight to read.
Beyond that, Takahashi seems to relish writing an ever-expanding cast. Now we'll get Ranma's father popping up in a background, smirking for just one panel, and it enriches the scene he's in. Characters who aren't in the forefront of the plot still cycle in to needle each other, or to have highly endearing cameos. The overall feeling of the world is still nebulous with possibilities, but more enjoyable for how the author has populated it.
Bonus points for this volume actually wrapping up all its story arcs.
January 20, 2021
We finish off the last story with Ranma using his Neko-ken to defeat Cologne. This is an interesting moment in the Ranma/Akane development, because he turns to Shampoo saying ¡°only you can help me¡± with the softest expression, which of course makes Akane angry - but then she¡¯s the first to realize his plan.
After that, we¡¯re introduced to a trend that continues through the series: Ranma learns a technique that advances his art, then Ryoga follows suit. These keep the two characters as great rivals throughout the series. In this moment, Ryoga loses to Ranma and then takes Cologne up on an offer to learn then Bakusai Tenketsu (literally ¡°detonation point¡± - translated here as Breaking Point). He goes off to train in the forest, so Ranma and his dad also go train - taking Akane with them. (Her dad says it¡¯s to learn how to be a good wife, helping Ranma cook and such. Too bad she¡¯s terrible at it!) Here we get some table flipping, though, and get to see Ranma jealously eating all of Akane¡¯s foul food because she¡¯s so happy Ryoga will eat it with gusto.
The new technique does its trick, strengthening Ryoga to the point where he¡¯s now strong enough to endure Ranma¡¯s Kachu Tenshin Amuguriken.
After that we get one of the most ludicrous stories in the entire manga. Ranma, in girl form, is kidnapped by a fellow who¡¯s the heir to a martial arts tea ceremony dynasty, and wants him to fight his fianc¨¦ so he can get out of marrying her. Ranma reveals that he¡¯s a guy, and Akane offers to help instead - but she¡¯s a klutz. So Ranma learns the rules and begins the fight - except the fianc¨¦ is... a monkey? The heir takes off with Akane, since their fianc¨¦s are distracted, but Ranma tries to out a stop to it. Then the REAL fianc¨¦ (who is gorgeous and most definitely not a monkey) arrives and confesses that she sent her beloved monkey-servant because she was shy. Ummm... yeah. They live happily ever after and we don¡¯t think about it ever again.
Then we end the volume with a martial arts takeout delivery race. Shampoo, Akane, and Ranma are all competing and the recipient of the fast food orders is Tatewaki Kuno, who can¡¯t decide between (female) Ranma and Akane as to who he truly loves, so he told them that whoever arrived first would win him. Ultimately Ranma wins the race, keeping his perfect martial arts competition record.
This volume is a bit of a hot mess, but it introduces one of my favorite concepts, and that¡¯s Akane as color commentator or martial arts battles. We see it a bit during the first fight with Ryoga, when she recognizes his strength before anyone else - but that fit more into the active story (since she warns Ranma not to close in). Now she just does some running commentary, even when tied up and dangling from a tree. Which is the other thing we see for the first time - while Akane has been a prize to be won, this is the first time she plays damsel in distress. It becomes a running theme, though many times she breaks herself free.
After that, we¡¯re introduced to a trend that continues through the series: Ranma learns a technique that advances his art, then Ryoga follows suit. These keep the two characters as great rivals throughout the series. In this moment, Ryoga loses to Ranma and then takes Cologne up on an offer to learn then Bakusai Tenketsu (literally ¡°detonation point¡± - translated here as Breaking Point). He goes off to train in the forest, so Ranma and his dad also go train - taking Akane with them. (Her dad says it¡¯s to learn how to be a good wife, helping Ranma cook and such. Too bad she¡¯s terrible at it!) Here we get some table flipping, though, and get to see Ranma jealously eating all of Akane¡¯s foul food because she¡¯s so happy Ryoga will eat it with gusto.
The new technique does its trick, strengthening Ryoga to the point where he¡¯s now strong enough to endure Ranma¡¯s Kachu Tenshin Amuguriken.
After that we get one of the most ludicrous stories in the entire manga. Ranma, in girl form, is kidnapped by a fellow who¡¯s the heir to a martial arts tea ceremony dynasty, and wants him to fight his fianc¨¦ so he can get out of marrying her. Ranma reveals that he¡¯s a guy, and Akane offers to help instead - but she¡¯s a klutz. So Ranma learns the rules and begins the fight - except the fianc¨¦ is... a monkey? The heir takes off with Akane, since their fianc¨¦s are distracted, but Ranma tries to out a stop to it. Then the REAL fianc¨¦ (who is gorgeous and most definitely not a monkey) arrives and confesses that she sent her beloved monkey-servant because she was shy. Ummm... yeah. They live happily ever after and we don¡¯t think about it ever again.
Then we end the volume with a martial arts takeout delivery race. Shampoo, Akane, and Ranma are all competing and the recipient of the fast food orders is Tatewaki Kuno, who can¡¯t decide between (female) Ranma and Akane as to who he truly loves, so he told them that whoever arrived first would win him. Ultimately Ranma wins the race, keeping his perfect martial arts competition record.
This volume is a bit of a hot mess, but it introduces one of my favorite concepts, and that¡¯s Akane as color commentator or martial arts battles. We see it a bit during the first fight with Ryoga, when she recognizes his strength before anyone else - but that fit more into the active story (since she warns Ranma not to close in). Now she just does some running commentary, even when tied up and dangling from a tree. Which is the other thing we see for the first time - while Akane has been a prize to be won, this is the first time she plays damsel in distress. It becomes a running theme, though many times she breaks herself free.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2021
3 stars to both Volumes 5 and 6
I was very surprised that volumes 5 and 6 did not live up to the humorous volumes before it. It feels like the second book syndrome with these 2 volumes. The jokes weren't as funny, the storyline was confusing and all these extra characters were being added just to spice things up! Plus, excessive nudity?? Which was unnecessary at times?? Hopefully, volumes 7 and 8 can break away from this syndrome and present a story that is more funny and comprehensible!
I was very surprised that volumes 5 and 6 did not live up to the humorous volumes before it. It feels like the second book syndrome with these 2 volumes. The jokes weren't as funny, the storyline was confusing and all these extra characters were being added just to spice things up! Plus, excessive nudity?? Which was unnecessary at times?? Hopefully, volumes 7 and 8 can break away from this syndrome and present a story that is more funny and comprehensible!
May 19, 2020
This is a review for the 2-in-1 edition that I read (but couldn't find on here) consisting of volumes 5 and 6.
This has to be one of the weirdest series I have ever read. I love the reaction of the cats by the person who is deathly afraid. It's hilarious but consists of the weirdest stories, most of them being violent.
This has to be one of the weirdest series I have ever read. I love the reaction of the cats by the person who is deathly afraid. It's hilarious but consists of the weirdest stories, most of them being violent.
July 29, 2022
Starting to get a little bored with this... too much action not enough comedy. The increasingly ridiculous martial arts moves are good in theory and it kind of reminds me of Bollywood, but not in a good way.
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December 28, 2022One thing I don't get is why in anime the boys are reluctant to date the girls who throw themselves at them, especially when they're hot. Especially like 16 year boys who typically only ever think of dating and being with the hottest girl.
February 21, 2023
Tengo que confesar que me perd¨ª un poquito con la historia, pero bueno nada m¨¢s que decir aqu¨ª volvio shampoo pero convertida en gata el colmo es que Ranma tiene fobia a los gatos.
January 20, 2016
Part 1: Kitten of the Sea: Ranma-chan is fighting Cologne. Ranma-chan tricks Shampoo into becoming a cat so he can change and use the cat-fist technique. Shampoo ends up in the bath tub with Ranma. Akane gets angry and tears apart a watermelon with her hands.
Part 2: Care to Join Me? Cologne offers to train Ryoga but he turns her down. Ryoga then attacks Ranma but is defeated, Ranma stopping him from turning into P-chan right in front of Akane. Akane gets mad and hits Ranma for fighting with Ryoga.
Part 3: Training Meals: Ranma is on a training trip with Genma and Akane. Cologne is now training Ryoga. Royga eats Akane's cooking, and Cologne says Ranma's fight with Ryoga will be in one week.
Part 4: The Breaking Point: Ryoga learns how to shatter a boulder with one finger and is ready for his fight with Ranma. Akane's been tied up and is hanging from a tree as the prize.
Part 5: The Immortal Man: Ryoga has become much tougher physically and the fight is a stalemate at the moment.
Part 6: Fast Break: Ranma ends up winning when both of them fall into water, changing Ryoga to P-chan.
Part 7: The Way of Tea: An unconscious guy comes riding into the area on a horse. It rains and changes Ranma to Ranma-chan and she wakes the guy up. The guy fixes her tea but it's drugged and he makes off with Ranma-chan. When she wakes up she's dressed in a wedding kimono. She agrees to take part in a martial arts tea ceremony.
Part 8: Meet Miss Satsuki: Ranma gets training in the martial arts tea ceremony. Miss Satsuki, though, seems to be a monkey.
Part 9: Proposal Accepted: Ranma and the monkey get into a fight. The guy from the horse decides he wants to marry Akane, but she punts him away and he falls onto the real Miss Satsuki, and it's love at first actual sight.
Part 10: It's Fast or It's Free: Kuno's room has huge posters of Akane and Ranma-chan. He goes to the dojo and claims he's choosing Akane as his one true love. Ranma gets changed into Ranma-chan by falling into the fish pool. Meanwhile Cologne finds out there is going to be a 'Miss Martial Arts Takeout' contest. Shampoo, Akane and Ranma-chan all enter the contest.
Part 11: Eyes on the Prize: It turns out Kuno's house will be the delivery place. All three girls arrive there at exactly the same time, though.
Part 12: Noodles, Anyone?: They drop in the Kuno training facility. Akane gets disqualified from the contest.
Part 13: I Won't Eat It!: Kuno and Ranma-chan fight. She ends up nude in Kuno's pool, and Kuno eats her ramen.
Part 2: Care to Join Me? Cologne offers to train Ryoga but he turns her down. Ryoga then attacks Ranma but is defeated, Ranma stopping him from turning into P-chan right in front of Akane. Akane gets mad and hits Ranma for fighting with Ryoga.
Part 3: Training Meals: Ranma is on a training trip with Genma and Akane. Cologne is now training Ryoga. Royga eats Akane's cooking, and Cologne says Ranma's fight with Ryoga will be in one week.
Part 4: The Breaking Point: Ryoga learns how to shatter a boulder with one finger and is ready for his fight with Ranma. Akane's been tied up and is hanging from a tree as the prize.
Part 5: The Immortal Man: Ryoga has become much tougher physically and the fight is a stalemate at the moment.
Part 6: Fast Break: Ranma ends up winning when both of them fall into water, changing Ryoga to P-chan.
Part 7: The Way of Tea: An unconscious guy comes riding into the area on a horse. It rains and changes Ranma to Ranma-chan and she wakes the guy up. The guy fixes her tea but it's drugged and he makes off with Ranma-chan. When she wakes up she's dressed in a wedding kimono. She agrees to take part in a martial arts tea ceremony.
Part 8: Meet Miss Satsuki: Ranma gets training in the martial arts tea ceremony. Miss Satsuki, though, seems to be a monkey.
Part 9: Proposal Accepted: Ranma and the monkey get into a fight. The guy from the horse decides he wants to marry Akane, but she punts him away and he falls onto the real Miss Satsuki, and it's love at first actual sight.
Part 10: It's Fast or It's Free: Kuno's room has huge posters of Akane and Ranma-chan. He goes to the dojo and claims he's choosing Akane as his one true love. Ranma gets changed into Ranma-chan by falling into the fish pool. Meanwhile Cologne finds out there is going to be a 'Miss Martial Arts Takeout' contest. Shampoo, Akane and Ranma-chan all enter the contest.
Part 11: Eyes on the Prize: It turns out Kuno's house will be the delivery place. All three girls arrive there at exactly the same time, though.
Part 12: Noodles, Anyone?: They drop in the Kuno training facility. Akane gets disqualified from the contest.
Part 13: I Won't Eat It!: Kuno and Ranma-chan fight. She ends up nude in Kuno's pool, and Kuno eats her ramen.
December 19, 2015
Every now and again I've got to re-read Ranma 1/2. Rumiko Takahashi is a great story teller. This is one of the funniest manga I have ever read.
July 25, 2022
Hmmm I may stop here. A lot of the same beats over and over.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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