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Ranma ? #12

Ranma 1/2, Vol. 12

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Whenever male martial artist Ranma gets splashed with cold water he becomes a buxom young girl! Now, Ranma's arch-rival Ryoga has discovered how to reverse the transformation. But before Ranma can learn the secret, his strength is sapped by evil "sensei" Happosai. Is he doomed to spend his life being beaten up by infants and little old ladies?

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

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257 people want to read

About the author

Rumiko Takahashi

1,549?books2,061?followers
Rumiko 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

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5 stars
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439 (32%)
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303 (22%)
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Miss Ryoko.
2,665 reviews167 followers
November 25, 2012
Sigh.

It actually pains me to give a Ranma 1/2 volume a 3 star rating. But I really only did just "like" this volume. The storyline of the giant cat monster was really lame and super out of the blue. The storyline of Akane learning how to swim really wasn't that interesting. The only part I really liked was the very end story of the little boy adopting Genma as his pet and Ranma stumbling upon them. It was a silly, cute little story.

I still really love this series, but the storylines are getting less and less engaging for me. But I'll keep reading! I love the characters and all the silliness that happens in the volumes. I just doubt they'll be many 5 star ratings anymore :-(
Profile Image for Frahorus.
356 reviews80 followers
May 23, 2017
La prima parte col preside impazzito che vuole tagliare i capelli agli studenti maschi ¨¨ troppo stupidina, mentre la seconda con il rinnovato triangolo Ryoga - Akane - Ranma (che in realt¨¤ vuole il sapone di Shan-Pu ) ¨¨ stata pi¨´ divertente.
Profile Image for Lisa.
173 reviews25 followers
January 24, 2021
We finish the Ultimate Weakness Moxibustion in this volume, picking up with Ryoga thinking Ranma has assaulted Akane. Ranma goes with it, realizing that now he can use Ryoga¡¯s anger for his training. He pulls off the Dragon¡¯s Heaven Blast, and they all go back to Tokyo to face Happosai. The problem, though, is that Happosai knows this trick - so he refuses to get angry and deprives Ranma of his battle aura. Dejected, Ranma laments that his training was for nothing, but then he realizes that he had to learn to keep from getting angry or humiliated himself, and decides that he has no pride to lose. So he challenges Happosai again, and instead of fighting his angry aura, he offers photos of him in girl form, wearing lingerie, and builds up Happosai¡¯s lust aura to create the move.

It works, but at the last minute Akane sees that Happosai dropped the moxibustion chart and she jumps in and gets caught by the blast. Ranma saves her and the chart is blasted to confetti, but the others piece it together and Ranma is cured.

In the next story Shampoo gives Ranma a giant bell to match her little one, citing a legend that it means they will marry. Instead, a ghost cat appears looking for Shampoo. Ranma challenges it (as much as he can, given his phobia), but the cat makes the mistake of possessing his father. After its defeated, Shampoo makes a big deal of Ranma fighting for their love, and he tells her off, so she hands him the small bell and pushes him in the koi pond so that cat will go after female-Ranma instead. Ranma goes full bell-Ken and the ghost cat decides she¡¯s too mean.

Then we have a story where we learn that Akane doesn¡¯t know how to swim, so principal Kuno is determined to teach her. All of his methods are ridiculous, and Ranma has to save her a couple of times, and she still is hopeless and can¡¯t swim. (I feel you Akane; I¡¯m the same.)

And finally we have a one-shot where Genma¡¯s been gone training for a week, so Ranma goes after him. Turns out he¡¯s been adopted by a rich woman whose sickly son wanted a panda. Genma¡¯s living the luxurious life, and the woman tells Ranma that she¡¯d wanted her son to play outside with the panda. Ranma does whatever she can to get the child to play, and suspects he¡¯s lazy rather than sickly. Eventually she and Genma take off and the boy chases them all the way home, proving that Ranma was right.

I loved this volume mainly for the end of the Ultimate Weakness Moxibustion arc. It was such a well-rounded story dealing with Ranma¡¯s sense of self-worth. And it focused on his ideas of nobility; like at one point all his rivals join in the final battle with Happosai and he doesn¡¯t want to do the move because they¡¯ll get hurt and don¡¯t deserve it, before realizing that these people have been just awful to him. Also, he recognizes everything Akane has done to help him, and it¡¯s really sweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
693 reviews16 followers
October 3, 2016
I enjoyed reading this manga series a must read for manga lovers everywhere.
Profile Image for Cecillie.
989 reviews14 followers
November 28, 2023
Kuno's dad is out of his mind. Also what kind of principal can just fuck off for three years and still have the same job, and there seemingly not having been a substitute or another hire for the job? Also also, he's an awful father. He is honestly a walking lawsuit.
Then there's this whole "waterproof" soap thing. It's just bizarre. There's no other way to describe it.
Profile Image for Child960801.
2,457 reviews
July 11, 2021
This volume concludes the arc about Ranma loosing all his strength. Then there is a short arc with a cat demon, one about Akane learning to swim, and finally a short one about Genma being adopted by a sickly boy while in his panda form. I still enjoy these and they make me laugh a lot.
Profile Image for Marlene Willinger.
274 reviews
January 10, 2025
These stories are so out of pocket, and YET they have consistency throughout them somehow!?? I love that it was only logical for Ranma to beat the principal with his feet because he went through the martial arts tea ceremony training before! Absolutely hilarious
Profile Image for Chloe.
246 reviews
December 28, 2023
"The sweet agony of knowing that no matter gentle you held me, you never loved me as a man." -Ryoga


The principal is annoying.
Profile Image for BooksLoveBrains.
271 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2023
This one¡¯s not bad, but I think the best part is this is kind of the start of Ranma actually thinking and strategizing to win, rather than just using his fighting skills alone.
2,000 reviews19 followers
December 19, 2015
Continuing on directly from last volume Ranma is still under Happosai's strength sapping moxibustion spell. He tries to master the heaven blast of the dragon with Ryoga as a sparring partner.

Next up he tries it on panty obsessed Happosai but finds that he can't raise the old man's anger so he tries to inflame his lust instead by resorting to offering provocative pictures of himself in girl form!

Next up is a shampoo story in which Shampoo gives Ranma a bell owned by a freaky giant cat looking for a bride.

Last story has Akane learning to swim, being tutored by the principal who gets her to wear a mermaid and swan suit.

This is an OK volume but there's not much transformation and the last two stories are a bit lame. I did however love the giant cat artwork and Akane as a mermaid is brilliant if all too brief.

My big issue with this series is that we're now 12 volumes in and nothing has happened other than random crazy stuff. Ranma and Akane's relationship is still at square one, and there has been little or no real plot development.

Still if you like random crazy manga with a heavy dose of humour this is a good title to check out. It always manages to make me smile.

Profile Image for KianaML.
57 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2014
I'm so glad that I found this manga after loving Inuyasha so much! Ranma not only has action but is funny as well!

I thought this volume was pretty good! Ranma finally gets his strength back in a humorous way with some romance with Akane as well~ then the giant cat spirit and Akane learning to swim seemed kinda random but it was enjoyable (minus the so called Hawaiian principal) none the less. Overall I love Ranma and this volume was pretty good!
Profile Image for Books on Stereo.
1,389 reviews170 followers
October 2, 2016
Another great entry into this series. I am seriously in love with all the characters in this series, and I don't want it to end. I am so excited to pick up the next volume ASAP.

P.S. If you are super cool make sure to follow me on Twitter (@Charlesxplosion) and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ (/user/show/3...)

And Check out my Youtube channel:
Profile Image for Jucchan.
61 reviews
April 22, 2011
They say you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. But I did - And I was right ;) This series is amazing! You get genderbender, fantasy, action, romance and slapstick-humor along with intense serious moments, what more can you want?
Profile Image for Laurianne Uy.
Author?1 book24 followers
September 5, 2015
OH MY GOD Ryoga YOU ARE MY FAVORITTTEEE.

This one finds Ranma really railing against being weak. Even going as far as to dress in lingerie to distract Happosai.

Panda Genma finds a house to stay in for a week with a sick little boy.
Akane attempting to swim.
5,895 reviews31 followers
February 27, 2016

Section titles include:

The Roar of Heaven:

The Great Rematch
St. Happosai

Burn, Happy, Burn:

The Paper Chase:

Ranma Reborn:


Who Will Bell the Cat?:

Kitty Takes a Bride:

Swim Like a Hammer:

Courage Under Water:


Step Outside:.
Profile Image for Bee (BacchusVines).
2,138 reviews15 followers
May 2, 2021
2021
My past self loved the Cat-Bride episode and the swimming with Akane episodes. This manga is so over the top, but I am still enjoying all the little moments.


2018
The Shampoo episode had me laughing so hard, and the swimming with Akane is just...cx
Profile Image for Sory Borges.
68 reviews
May 22, 2016
El principio me aburri¨® mucho, luego ya que empez¨® otra historia fue m¨¢s entretenido
Profile Image for Michael Beyer.
Author?28 books3 followers
October 23, 2019
I really love the artwork and cartoon stylings of Rumiko Takahashi. She's a genius of manga artwork.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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