Kara Dennison
December 30, 2024 
The bad news is, the new Ranma 1/2 anime adaptation is already over for the season. The good news? A second season is already in production! While we’re waiting for it to come back, there are lots of ways to fill time. If you’ve got lots of time, you can watch all 161 episodes of the original anime or read all 407 chapters of the original manga. Or, if you prefer, you can join us in looking back on our favorite moments so far!
There are too many top-tier moments to list them all—from Ranma’s chaotic arrival at the Tendo Dojo to the martial arts gymnastics tournament. But we’ve picked a handful that we’re personally fond of. What about you?
Defeating the Golden Pair
Ranma 1/2 is packed with cool fights, and anything goes when it comes to how those fights play out. When Azusa Shiratori tries to lay claim to P-chan (or “Charlotte,” as she dubs Ryoga’s pig-form), Akane has a chance to win him back in a martial arts skate-off. The figure skating arc is a great time overall, but the action toward the end is what really stands out for us. Once the “normal” figure skating is done, the true chaos begins.
In the competition’s final moments, combat shifts to another standoff between Ranma and Ryoga. Ranma’s been pushed to his limits facing off against Mikado and Azusa, but Ryoga sees a chance to settle his old score. Unfortunately, the cracked skating rink includes the peril of icy water below. And if Ryoga touches that water, Akane will know his secret. It’s worth it to see these two duke it out, and to see the Golden Pair implode in the face of defeat.
Akane’s Loss
Speaking of Ranma and Ryoga fighting, we get to see one of the most iconic Ranma 1/2 moments in this first season. The series starts with Akane sporting a long ponytail, even though she’s best known for sporting an adorable bob. That wasn’t just a character redesign: it was a major emotional plot point.
The fights that surround Ranma and Akane as other characters fight for and/or against them can be funny, but this is where we first see non-comedic collateral damage. Sure, Akane could technically have taken a much more serious injury. But when you know what her long hair meant to her and why she grew it out, the loss takes on a whole new meaning. MAPPA brought this key moment to life beautifully in this new series.
Shampoo’s Kisses
Right as Season 1 of Ranma 1/2 closes, we meet Shampoo. This Chinese Amazon who’s as cute as she is deadly. And she wants to kill Ranma—girl-type Ranma, specifically. The code of the Amazons demands it. The same code demands that she marry boy-type Ranma. And both of these vows are sealed with very different kisses.
The kiss of death that Shampoo gives both Akane and girl-type Ranma is absolutely terrifying. The other kiss is terrifying mostly to Ranma himself. But we love her changing dynamic between Ranma’s two forms. Sadly, her awareness of his curse left the season on a contemplative note. But long-time fans know she’ll be back!
Ranma 1/2 season 2 is in the works. More information will be coming at a later date!
