Ranma 1/2: Vol. 13 [Paperback]

Rumiko Takahashi (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 6, 1999 | Series: Ranma 1/2 (Book 13)

It's not easy for teenage martial artist Ranma to remain victorious over his ever-vigilant rivals. But it's even worse thanks to a bizarre curse that turns him into a girl whenever he's splashed with cold water. With a keen sense of social satire, this episode has Ranma fending off the advances of a boy smitten with his female half.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (May 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569313628
• ISBN-13: 978-1569313626
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,817,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The spotlight on Rumiko Takahashi's career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular in their own right. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another--Maison Ikkoku ran from 1980 to 1987, Ranma 1/2 from 1987 to 1996, and Inuyasha from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include Mermaid Saga, Rumic Theater, and One-Pound Gospel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ranma 1/2 will keep you laughing, March 1, 2000

By 

"becky-chan" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ranma 1/2: Vol. 13 (Paperback)

ALrighty then. Rumiko-san has to have the oddest sense of humor there is. The plot line for Ranma 1/2 goes something like this; boy-hating girl has a father, who say's she's to marry the son of an old friend. Old friend shows up (as a giant panda) and brings a girl along. old friend explains that his son turns into a girl when splashed with cold water (and turns back when splashed with hot water). From this point on, some of the craziest whacks pop in and out of the story. There's Ryoga, Ranma's arch rival with no sense of direction (and lots of Bandanas and umbrellas). Shampoo, the chinese amazon who wants to kill the girl form of Ranma, and marry the boy form. Kuno, the girl obsessed overdramatic moron who runs around with a BIG sword, and his twin sister, Kodachi the black rose, who is equally insane and dramatic. Happosai (can't spell his name, sorry) the panty stealing perverted midget man, and Pantyhose! the love triangles (and quadrilaterals and pentagons, aw hell, everyone want's to marry someone, except Akane and Ranma of course) might confuse you of at first, but you'll get use to it. And the best part is the fact that cold water will turn up in the oddest places (you'd never believe how many old ladies will be washing they're houses before school). And then of course there's the odd assorment of weapons that the characters use (spoons, umbrellas, bandanas, anything can be a lethal weapon when Akane's involved) you just won't be able to stop laughing. If you're a fan of Clamp, Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z or Slayers (Xellos-sama!) you'll love Ranma 1/2! And even if you have no idea what i just said, and are just nodding your head to keep me from talking anymore (just humor the crazy people they say) you'll like it! P-chan!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The mark of the battling god, October 25, 2005

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ranma 1/2, Vol. 13 (Paperback)

Ryoga Hibiki has only two ambitions: Defeat his arch-rival Ranma Saotome, and win Akane's affections. Both of those come into jeopardy in the thirteenth volume of Rumiko Takahashi's "Ranma 1/2," where Ranma must deal with magical swords, old enemies, and less-than-festive goings-on.

Ryoga is wandering in the mountains when he encounters a wacky old hermit. The old man gives him the "mark of the battling god," which will make him the strongest man on earth -- except that it's a goofy smiley face. He can only erase it if he's defeated, and Ranma takes up the challenge immediately. But can he figure out how to defeat the world's strongest man, before Akane figures out Ryoga's darkest secret?

Christmas is less than merry when a pair of little kids, who believe Happosai is Santa, begin following him on his underwear raids. And Kuno wins it big when he gets a magical sword which grants three wishes -- and Ranma seizes the chance to be all man again. He goes on a date with Kuno (with Akane lurking around to make sure Kuno doesn't get frisky), and is about to get the final wish -- but only if he kisses his most loathed classmate.

Finally, an old enemy from Ranma and Ukyo's past returns: the Gambling King, who cheated little kids ten years ago, and whom the two kids defeated. Now he's come to demand payment for what Ranma bet and lost. Problem is, it's the Tendo dojo; Soun promptly kicks Ranma out until he can win it back, which he's determined to do. Problem is, Ranma is really lousy at gambling.

Ranma has always made enemies easily, and now we find out that he's been doing it since the age of five or six. And of course, the teenage martial artist has to deal with his frequent foils -- kendo-mad Kuno; Happosai, who makes his life a misery; and Ryoga. The ending of the Christmas story is a bit weak, but is made up for by Ranma's final line.

And this has some very fun (and tense) moments, like when it seems that Akane has discovered Ryoga's secret (he's really her pet pig). On the other hand, Takahashi throws in some funny physical humour, like Ranma scouring Ryoga's stomach, Kuno's assorted wishes, and poor Ryoga doing an unwitting striptease in front of a ladies' club.

One nice touch is the deepening of the Ranma-Ryoga relationship, which has always hovered somewhere between rivalry and friendship. Ranma admits this out loud, when he offers to help Ryoga because "you're the only man I consider my rival." Nice touch there. And of course, we discover that Ranma is a lousy gambler, and that there are things (kissing a guy) even he won't do to undo his curse.

Un-merry Christmas, same-sex smooches and stomach graffiti provide plenty of smiles in the thirteenth volume of "Ranma 1/2."

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun to read!, September 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ranma 1/2: Vol. 13 (Paperback)

This book is a great continuation of the Ranma series. It has 4 stories with all your favorite caractors: Ryoga, Happosai, Ranma and the gang, Kuno and a new one: The Gambling King. You have to read Vol. 13!