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Ranma ? #14
Ranma 1/2, Vol. 14
Follows the adventures of half-boy, half-girl martial artist Ranma, whose transforming gender problems began at the Accursed Springs in China when he became cursed to turn into a girl when splashed with cold water, and back into a boy with hot water.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
3 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,580?books2,075?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 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 19, 2022
Just what I needed. Most of this volume is a madcap race story, with all our big martial artists pairing off on a race through a maze of hotsprings and bizarre traps. It's so silly and fun.
January 20, 2016
Part 1: Target: Pigtail: Some guys are in China trying to find something called the Dragon's Whisker. Ranma has it. They attack Ranma and he beats them up. They look like pork buns. They attack him various times afterwards. Ranma tells Akane and the others it's a secret he has.
Part 2: Let Your Hair Down: Happosai joins the attack and eventually they get the whisker from Ranma, but Akane takes in and chases after Ranma.
Part 3: The Whisker's Secret: Ranma's hair grows continuously without the whisker in it. Akane helps him, but Genma appears, wanting the whisker for himself. Genma takes the whisker, and Cologne tells Ranma that without the whisker he will go bald.
Part 4: Hair Raising: There's a major fight over who gets the dragon's whisker. Eventually Ranma finds out it's effect is over and he won't become bald after all.
Part 5: Let's Go to the Hot Springs: There's going to be a hot springs obstacle race. Ranma will team up with Shampoo, Mousse with Akane, and Ryoga with Ukyo.
Part 6: Screamin' at the Hot Springs!: The race is really wild with Mousse attacking Ranma and Ukyo and Shampoo fighting. The winner gets a trip to Jusenkyo.v
Part 7: Three-Leg Scramble: The guys running the race are trying to fix it so no one will win. The teams keep changing. Finally they take a break at a hot springs.
Part 8: Hot Bath!: The girls and the girls are in opposite sides of the hot springs. Normal strangeness goes on. Akane and Ranma ended up teamed.
Part 9: Ranma Gives Up?!: Ranma and Akane end up in a sand trap but manage to work their way out.
Part 10: The Final Choice: Akane and Shampoo each demand that Ranma choose them to team up with.
Part 11: A Goal Too Far: The choice doesn't go well, of course. All three end up in a pool of sake. The villagers keep moving the goal line, and Ryoga and Ukyo end up winning the race.
Part 2: Let Your Hair Down: Happosai joins the attack and eventually they get the whisker from Ranma, but Akane takes in and chases after Ranma.
Part 3: The Whisker's Secret: Ranma's hair grows continuously without the whisker in it. Akane helps him, but Genma appears, wanting the whisker for himself. Genma takes the whisker, and Cologne tells Ranma that without the whisker he will go bald.
Part 4: Hair Raising: There's a major fight over who gets the dragon's whisker. Eventually Ranma finds out it's effect is over and he won't become bald after all.
Part 5: Let's Go to the Hot Springs: There's going to be a hot springs obstacle race. Ranma will team up with Shampoo, Mousse with Akane, and Ryoga with Ukyo.
Part 6: Screamin' at the Hot Springs!: The race is really wild with Mousse attacking Ranma and Ukyo and Shampoo fighting. The winner gets a trip to Jusenkyo.v
Part 7: Three-Leg Scramble: The guys running the race are trying to fix it so no one will win. The teams keep changing. Finally they take a break at a hot springs.
Part 8: Hot Bath!: The girls and the girls are in opposite sides of the hot springs. Normal strangeness goes on. Akane and Ranma ended up teamed.
Part 9: Ranma Gives Up?!: Ranma and Akane end up in a sand trap but manage to work their way out.
Part 10: The Final Choice: Akane and Shampoo each demand that Ranma choose them to team up with.
Part 11: A Goal Too Far: The choice doesn't go well, of course. All three end up in a pool of sake. The villagers keep moving the goal line, and Ryoga and Ukyo end up winning the race.
August 29, 2013
Emmy Re-Reads 8-29-13
March 4, 2016
((3.5))
August 25, 2021
This volume only has two arcs: one is about the secret of Ranma's ponytail, the other is about a hot springs obstacle course where the prize is a trip to any hot or cold springs in the world. So all the people who turn into things are very excited about this one and want to go back to the springs so they can be turned back into themselves. Of course, hot springs means there is nudity.
December 1, 2023
Ranma got his strength back in this one, and I was so happy that Happosai would go away for a bit. It was a false sense of security. So then after the strength thing, Ryoga turned up with a stupid doodle one his stomach that made him super strong. That was solved... then Happosai returned to make his second appearance in one volume. I'll cross my fingers that he will not be in the next one.
December 7, 2019
4,5 stars
December 30, 2023
I really like the race vignette the best! The first one isn¡¯t that great, imo, but has its moments.
January 1, 2024
I am giving it a 4.5 stars.
Happosai is creepy.
The Principal is okay.
Happosai is creepy.
The Principal is okay.
January 11, 2025
Pretty good volume, I loved the ending of the last arc and it was natural that a few shorter stories followed it!
January 18, 2025
3.5. it's fine but definitely reached the sitcom stage where nothing ever changes
January 25, 2021
Volume 14 was a nice, straightforward volume with only two stories, and they both captured the ludicrousness of the Ranma universe.
In the first, these weird pork-bun looking fellows arrive in Tokyo, having gotten directions that the fabled dragon's whisker was stolen by a fellow with a pigtail. So there have been crimes around Nerima involving people getting their pigtails chopped off. The Tendo Dojo/Anything Goes school is asked to help out, and Ranma points out that he's perfect bait. Well, turns out, he's the target. They attack him and try to chop his hair, and Ranma won't tell anyone why it's so important. (At one point they dump paint on him, but when he washes it out he won't unbraid it.)
It's later revealed that, while in girl form, he ate a soup that was magically prepared with the dragon whisker, and the cook said "thank goodness you're not a man, or this would do horrible things to you!" Turns out the horrible thing is making his hair grow infinitely until it falls out. So Ranma has been using a dragon whisker to tie it, as that's the only thing that will prevent it from growing when he's in his male form. (Turns out the whisker is a remedy for baldness - which is why the pork bun guys want it.) After lots of fighting, a few hair cuts, and a standoff between Ranma and his bald father, the hair stops growing. It turns out that the whisker has reached its magical expiration date, and Ranma's hair is just fine now.
The next arc is a madcap romp for all the shippers to enjoy. Akane wins a ticket to a hot springs three-legged obstacle course race, and the winners will get to go to any hot spring in the world. She tries to invite Ranma but they keep getting interrupted. Shampoo is the last person to halt their conversation, crashing in and asking Ranma to join her. He jumps at the chance, which angers Akane and saddens Mousse, so they decide to go together. Ryoga overhears and is devastated because he's been trying to work up the nerve to ask Akane, but Ukyo decides it will be good for her business to go where the tourists are.
So all three enter the three legged race and quickly outpace the others. Well, two pairs do - Ryoga tries to run the opposite direction at the starting line, so he and Ukyo lie in the dirt. They catch up though. And then you get the hijinks of Mousse just wanting to be with Shampoo, Akane being furious with Ranma, and Ukyo and Shampoo meeting for the first time and NOT getting along very well. Ranma ultimately keeps swapping partners in hopes that he can just get to the end of the damned race. During one particularly harrowing moment, Akane and Ryoga are paired together and rush through a cool-water spring, but of course, Akane isn't aware that her partner became a pig (because why progress the story and deal with consequences? lol). Ranma and Akane are paired when they fall into a quicksand trap. Ranma finally understands why she's upset with him (that she tried to ask him out first) and they actually have a kind of sweet argument? And then when he's safe and she isn't, he gives up the race in order to save her. She won't accept that, though, and channels some massive brute strength to get them both out. As they head toward the finish line, though, the goal keeps moving (because the organizers don't have the money to send anyone anywhere, and don't want a winner). They move the finish line against a rock wall just as Ranma and Akane are approaching, only to have Ryoga and Ukyo smash through the other side and effectively win.
Alas, in the epilogue, it's shown that although Ryoga wanted to go back to Jusenkyo, he got lost, and he and Ukyo ended up in Atami (the seaside vacation spot in Japan).
I love this race so much because it hits all of the high points I adore in Ranma, and oh my god, the fighting between Ukyo and Shampoo is divine. When Ranma pairs up with Akane the first time, as the reader and shipper I am I had a "yes! this will fix things!" reaction, until Morgan Freeman suddenly narrated "this did not fix things in the least", and Ranma was telling Akane that he knew he would do better with a macho jock girl like her. Also, omg, watching Ranma and Shampoo in motion together is beautiful. I use "in motion" loosely, of course, as these are still images, but the motion it evokes is just perfect. They're so evenly matched physically. I just... I really loved this storyline.
In the first, these weird pork-bun looking fellows arrive in Tokyo, having gotten directions that the fabled dragon's whisker was stolen by a fellow with a pigtail. So there have been crimes around Nerima involving people getting their pigtails chopped off. The Tendo Dojo/Anything Goes school is asked to help out, and Ranma points out that he's perfect bait. Well, turns out, he's the target. They attack him and try to chop his hair, and Ranma won't tell anyone why it's so important. (At one point they dump paint on him, but when he washes it out he won't unbraid it.)
It's later revealed that, while in girl form, he ate a soup that was magically prepared with the dragon whisker, and the cook said "thank goodness you're not a man, or this would do horrible things to you!" Turns out the horrible thing is making his hair grow infinitely until it falls out. So Ranma has been using a dragon whisker to tie it, as that's the only thing that will prevent it from growing when he's in his male form. (Turns out the whisker is a remedy for baldness - which is why the pork bun guys want it.) After lots of fighting, a few hair cuts, and a standoff between Ranma and his bald father, the hair stops growing. It turns out that the whisker has reached its magical expiration date, and Ranma's hair is just fine now.
The next arc is a madcap romp for all the shippers to enjoy. Akane wins a ticket to a hot springs three-legged obstacle course race, and the winners will get to go to any hot spring in the world. She tries to invite Ranma but they keep getting interrupted. Shampoo is the last person to halt their conversation, crashing in and asking Ranma to join her. He jumps at the chance, which angers Akane and saddens Mousse, so they decide to go together. Ryoga overhears and is devastated because he's been trying to work up the nerve to ask Akane, but Ukyo decides it will be good for her business to go where the tourists are.
So all three enter the three legged race and quickly outpace the others. Well, two pairs do - Ryoga tries to run the opposite direction at the starting line, so he and Ukyo lie in the dirt. They catch up though. And then you get the hijinks of Mousse just wanting to be with Shampoo, Akane being furious with Ranma, and Ukyo and Shampoo meeting for the first time and NOT getting along very well. Ranma ultimately keeps swapping partners in hopes that he can just get to the end of the damned race. During one particularly harrowing moment, Akane and Ryoga are paired together and rush through a cool-water spring, but of course, Akane isn't aware that her partner became a pig (because why progress the story and deal with consequences? lol). Ranma and Akane are paired when they fall into a quicksand trap. Ranma finally understands why she's upset with him (that she tried to ask him out first) and they actually have a kind of sweet argument? And then when he's safe and she isn't, he gives up the race in order to save her. She won't accept that, though, and channels some massive brute strength to get them both out. As they head toward the finish line, though, the goal keeps moving (because the organizers don't have the money to send anyone anywhere, and don't want a winner). They move the finish line against a rock wall just as Ranma and Akane are approaching, only to have Ryoga and Ukyo smash through the other side and effectively win.
Alas, in the epilogue, it's shown that although Ryoga wanted to go back to Jusenkyo, he got lost, and he and Ukyo ended up in Atami (the seaside vacation spot in Japan).
I love this race so much because it hits all of the high points I adore in Ranma, and oh my god, the fighting between Ukyo and Shampoo is divine. When Ranma pairs up with Akane the first time, as the reader and shipper I am I had a "yes! this will fix things!" reaction, until Morgan Freeman suddenly narrated "this did not fix things in the least", and Ranma was telling Akane that he knew he would do better with a macho jock girl like her. Also, omg, watching Ranma and Shampoo in motion together is beautiful. I use "in motion" loosely, of course, as these are still images, but the motion it evokes is just perfect. They're so evenly matched physically. I just... I really loved this storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2014
Another fun instalment to this mad-cap gender-bending series.
Wasn't over keen on the 1st story about the magical dragon's whisker that makes men's hair grow. Bald men covet it but woe betide any man who already has hair, because it will grow and grow until they run out of hair. the only way to avert this is to tie the dragon's whisker into the hair and what do you think is securing Ranma's pigtail? A particularly daft story - it's one saving grace are the pork bun monks, simply because they are just so cute and fun.
The other story in this volume has an obstacle race, the prize of which is a trip to any hot spring in the world. Ranma desperately wants to win to try and stop his curse forever. Ryoga, Shampoo, Akane, Ukyo and Mousse are also contestants. There's some nice Akane/Ranma interaction amid all the insanity.
This isn't a bad volume, but I do think that the stories are running out of steam a bit at this point. I much prefer the ones that focus on confusion as characters switch forms and try and keep people from finding out. Still it has a lot of energy and the pork bun monks are original. If you like old skool manga and want a laugh, definitely check out this series.
Wasn't over keen on the 1st story about the magical dragon's whisker that makes men's hair grow. Bald men covet it but woe betide any man who already has hair, because it will grow and grow until they run out of hair. the only way to avert this is to tie the dragon's whisker into the hair and what do you think is securing Ranma's pigtail? A particularly daft story - it's one saving grace are the pork bun monks, simply because they are just so cute and fun.
The other story in this volume has an obstacle race, the prize of which is a trip to any hot spring in the world. Ranma desperately wants to win to try and stop his curse forever. Ryoga, Shampoo, Akane, Ukyo and Mousse are also contestants. There's some nice Akane/Ranma interaction amid all the insanity.
This isn't a bad volume, but I do think that the stories are running out of steam a bit at this point. I much prefer the ones that focus on confusion as characters switch forms and try and keep people from finding out. Still it has a lot of energy and the pork bun monks are original. If you like old skool manga and want a laugh, definitely check out this series.
December 1, 2012
Yay!! I'm so happy to give this volume of Ranma a 4 star rating! This volume got back to being a lot like the first few I read. There were only a small handful of storylines and they weren't quick and random. The main storyline pertained to the actual overall story of the entire series and I liked that! Plus, it was hilarious and full of many of my favorite characters! Cologne, Shampoo, Ranma's dad, Ryoga... all fun, good stuff! I hope more of the remaining 20some volumes are more like this one than the last few I've read.
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?
June 30, 2011
Ranma does look good with his hair down, he can even pull off really long hair, something that very few guys can do. And then there was the hot spring obstacle course, that was an adventure. Dense as he can be, Ranma really is sweet in his own way. Another turn pager of laughter :)
July 19, 2012
pretty good.
July 1, 2013
I just love this series! It's action, yet funny at the same time! It's definitely one of my favorite manga
April 9, 2014
Too funny :')
August 28, 2014
Nota real: 3.5
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.
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July 5, 2010F TAK ranma v.14
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