Ranma 1/2, Vol. 2 [Paperback]

Rumiko Takahashi (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Ranma 1/2 | Publication Date: May 2003

In the second entry in the series, pursued by lovesick suitors, Ranma is also under attack - for reasons he doesn't understand - by martial artist Ryoga!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With more than 22 million copies of her work in print, Rumiko Takahashi may well be the most popular comics artist in the world, and Ranma 1/2 may be her most popular work yet. Takahashi's best gift might be that of characterization. The situations in this, the second volume of Ranma 1/2 stories, all center around characters who seem fully human because so many subtle character traits are perceptible. Filled with action (this one deals with an ice-skating competition) and balanced with tenderness (a character's embarrassing first kiss), it's no wonder these stories are so universally loved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569319634
• ISBN-13: 978-1569319635
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,433 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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hijinks continue, February 18, 2005

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ranma 1/2, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Rumiko Takahashi struck comic gold with "Ranma 1/2," the story of a guy who turns into a girl whenever he gets touched with cold water (and you'd be surprised how often that happens). The second volume picks up where the first left off, and Takahashi was obviously hitting her stride in this series.

Directionally-challenged Ryoga Hibiki makes it to the Tendos' home, and brawls with Ranma out in the yard. Turns out that Ranma accidently knocked Ryoga into a cursed spring -- and now Ryoga turns into a cute black piglet. As if this grudge weren't enough, Akane adopts the piglet, whom she names "P-chan," which drives Ranma into a frenzy.

Problems continue when Akane is injured before a martial arts gymnastics competition, leaving Ranma (in his female form) to take her place. The only problem is, it's against Kuno's psychotic sister Kodachi -- who loves Ranma as a boy, but loathes him as a girl. No sooner has Ranma dealt with that crisis than another combat challenge pops up: To get Ryoga/P-chan back from a ditzy ice skater, Ranma and Akane will have to learn martial-arts ice-skating. But Ranma's lessons take an unpleasant turn when he gets his first kiss... from a boy.

The boy-turns-into-girl-when-splashed-with-water shtick sounds like a one-off gimmick. But Takahashi shows new ways to get creative in the second volume of "Ranma 1/2." The stories flow a little faster and a little more smoothly, now that she's introduced the characters and their peculiar problems.

She also starts ideas that continues throughout the series -- sticking the words "martial arts" besides all sorts of activities, and having characters fall into various cursed springs. But she doesn't lose track of the personal relationships, such as various characters competing for Ranma and/or Akane's affections. One comic gem involves siblings Kuno and Kodachi, who are unknowingly competing for the same person in different form.

The characters have also changed a little. Akane no longer loathes all men, and is rapidly becoming a good partner for Ranma. Ryoga -- who apparently craves any form of affection -- falls in love with Akane after she cuddles him in his pig form. And obviously Ranma is starting to like Akane -- otherwise, why would he care if she cuddled Ryoga?

The "Ranma 1/2" series took off after the first volume, when Takahashi stepped up the pace and took her martial-arts-romantic-comedy to new and strange heights.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing, May 23, 2004

By 

Tori - See all my reviews

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

this book is just as good as the first book except possibly a little more romance.
by now ranma and akane are always going at each others necks but in the end they always find a way out of the hardest spots.
laugh out loud funny a action/adventure/romance(very little).
not reconmender for younger children(ranma when in female form runs around topless and yes it shows most to all parts)
but any way this is a amazing book and i would recomend it to almost any one at all.
Bye Bye
from: mewme
IT ROCKS

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Habit-Forming!, January 9, 2003

By 

Ana Hotaling "saotomeranchan" (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ranma 1/2, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

If you're looking at volume 2 of Ranma 1/2, you've either joined the club of those addicted to the world of Saotome Ranma, or you clicked on any Ranma 1/2 book link to see what all the hoopla about Ranma is about. For these folks, here's your synopsis!

Created/written/illustrated by Takahashi Rumiko (also responsible for Japan's current hit "Inu-Yasha" and cult favorite "Maison Ikkoku"), Ranma 1/2 tells the saga of teen martial artist Saotome Ranma, who had the misfortune of falling into a cursed spring on a training trip in China. The curse causes him to become a curvy young redhead female version of himself whenever he is splashed by cold water (tea, rain, anything wet). His rather irresponsible father, Genma, also fell into a spring, but his curse causes him to change into a panda. The manga (more than 30 volumes in the original Japanese) follows their (mis)adventures as Ranma and his dad move in with old family friend Tendo Soun, whose youngest daughter, tomboy Akane, Ranma happens to be engaged to (an arrangement neither teen is pleased with). Ranma encounters challenges at school and in his training from suitors of both genders who are either aware or unaware of his curse, as well as from rivals who either want to thrash him soundly or claim Akane as their own.

It is important to note that the Japanese are very frank about such subjects as bathing and nudity, and poor Ranma is often caught with his shirt off when he gets splashed... and in time learns to use his "feminine wiles" to get what he wants. There is, however, no sex, despite the anime's listing by Viz Video as a "martial arts sex comedy." Gender comedy is more like it, since the main characters don't even kiss... well, except once, but Ranma was in cat-mode then (you need to read the series to figure out THAT one).

In summary, Ranma 1/2 is entertaining, very easy to follow, and well drawn, with characters that have their own personalities and quirks and are different from each other, with plots that keep you riveted, if not laughing -- or groaning -- on Ranma's behalf. An excellent introduction to Japanese manga.