Customer Reviews

Ranma 1/2: OVA Series Box Set

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How could I possibly finish my reviews of Ranma 1/2 without mention the 12 OVA episodes that followed the show? These 12 episodes pick up right where we left off. Ranma and the gang are still growing together and getting into the usual...until these 12 episodes came along that is.

These episodes truly stand alone from the origional TV series. For one the animation is brilliant and much more fluid that the TV show, but thats how it goes with the quality factor. What truly sets these 12 episodes up on the pedestil is the intensity that is brought with each incredible half hour. There isn't much room for cheap laughs here. There is everything from giant 7 headed dragons to baby phoenixes, enchanted murderous dolls and even a huge christmas party that has an ending that will make you want to hold that special someone close to you.

Finally this is the moment in time where we get one step closer to the bond of Ranma and Akane at this stage in life Ranma lets the world and the viewers know exactly how he feels about Akane. So prepare for the action the laughs and yes the many tears that are shead as you watch the final 12 special adventures of Ranma 1/2. (Trust me you can skip the movies)

*Recomended Episode: Tendo Christmas Scramble*

If you are looking to own the DoCo music videos that were the original opening and endings to the OAVs, you will not find them here. Viz completely left them out of this smaller set, which is an EXTREME dissapointment to me, since that was half of the reason why I liked the OAVs so much. Bad form, Viz. Bad form.

They also chose to arrange the discs in the same case, stacked on top of each other, which always makes me worry about scratches and the like. Not happy with this set up at all.

But if you just want a review of the actual content, the Ranma OAVs are wonderful. Probably the only "episodes" of the series that I could still sit down and enjoy with no worries.

This is an extras-free, 2 disc set of all 12 OAVs. I'll rate all 12:

Shampoo's sudden switch-A magic brooch causes Shampoo to hate Ranma 4/5

Tendo Christmas scramble- The Tendos hold a Christmas party 4/5

I'll be the one to inherit Mother's recipes- Akane tries to cure her inability to cook 4/5

Growing up with Miss Hinako- a new and odd teacher comes to school-4/5

The one to carry on Two new girls come to the dojo claiming to be Soun's daughters- 3/5

The one to carry on part 2- Akane tries to win back the dojo 3/5

Reawakening memories- Akane travels to a forest to return a horn she was given as a child 4/5

Reawakening memories part 2- Ranma and Ryoga help Akane to save Shinnosuke 4/5

The lengendary phoenix- Kuno hatches a violent phoenix on his
head 3/5

Cursed tunnel of lost love- Ukyo and Shampoo try to break up Ranma and Akane 4/5

The evil ogre- Kasumi is possessed by an evil ogre 4/5

The 2 Akanes- Akane's body is taken over by a vengeful doll 5/5

If you're looking for a super-violent porn cartoon (as MST3K called them), this show is not for you. But if your looking for a zany comedy with real character development this show is the best thing you could get from Japan. The OVA's have noticeably better animation than the show itself, as these were independently produced. My wife and I watch them over and over again on a regular basis. Think of it as a sitcom with the unlimited possibilities of an animation. Definitely a great start for anyone interested in the series.

The Ranma 1/2 OAV Series DVD set has two discs that include all twelve OAV episodes released for the series. Each disc contains six episodes. The first disc has: "Shampoo's Sudden Switch - The Curse of the Contrary Jewel," "Tendo Family Christmas Scramble," "Akane vs. Ranma! I'll Be the One to Inherit Mother's Recipes!," "Stormy Weather Comes to School! Growing Up With Miss Hinako," and both parts of "The One to Carry On." The second disc has: both parts of "Reawakening Memories," "Team Ranma vs. The Legendary Phoenix," "Oh, Cursed Tunnel of Lost Love! Let My Love Be Forever," "The Evil Ogre! Hell Hath No Fury Like Kasumi Scorned," and "The Two Akanes! `Ranma, Look at Me!'."

Most of the episodes included in this set are very enjoyable, and include the humor that is expected from Ranma 1/2. The animation quality is also noticeably better than the animation in the regular series episodes. However, I was rather disappointed that there are absolutely no special features included in the set. On the one hand, I understand that since six episodes are included on each disc, there really wouldn't have been room for any special features. If it had been up to me, I would have made the Ranma 1/2 OAV Series box set a three-disc set, where each disc had four episodes and some special features. Also, I was disappointed that Viz Media decided not to subtitle the opening theme song that appears on the second disc of the set.

The Ranma 1/2 OAV Series DVD box set sells at retail outlets for about $45, which is basically the same price the season box sets sell for. While I enjoy Ranma 1/2, I think Viz Media is charging too much for the OAV series box, especially for what you get. If you're a Ranma 1/2 fan, then you need to get the OAV series box set in order to complete your Ranma 1/2 DVD collection. However, I would recommend seeing if you can find it for a better price, either because a retail outlet regularly sells it for a lower price, or the set is lowered during a sales promotion.

I purchased this item yesterday from a seller for 30$. What a great price! I watched these online and they will be the first step into obtaining the full series of Ranma 1/2! The only problem I have is that for these 12 episodes they brought Sarah Strange back for male Ranma's voice. I much preferred Richard Ian Cox. I am just glad that I got these for such an Enormous discout, Sarah Strange or not!

Unless I got the boxset location of the episodes wrong, wasn't the episode where Ranma loses his memories and thinks he's REALLY a girl, and the episode where the gang travel back in time 300 years and meet young Cologne and Happosai a part of the OVA's?

After finally getting the final season of Ranma 1/2 I felt a little melancholy as I realized that this entertaining anime series was over, but low and behold we finally have the twelve OVA set and now I'm truly gratified with my decision to purchase this set. I've seen most of these episodes online and after awhile and with the price more reasonable I've now have the enjoyment of listening to both the English dubbed and Japanese subbed actors/actresses with no problems and with these dvds with a great deal more clarity in video quality with this set. The few episodes I felt were the best was when an evil ogre plagues the Tendo dojo possessing the Ranma characters and causing hilarious calamity, than we have a young substitute female teacher who a first seems to be a young child but because of a certain technique learned from Happosai actually has a unique and ultimately deadly ability that forces a confrontation between Ranma and the teacher, and we have Kuno buying a phoenix egg from a vendor that supposedly makes the owner invincible when the egg hatches but as Kuno soon realizes it's not quite the invincibility he was thinking about. The episodes are very funny and entertaining to watch and like the series itself memorable to the fans of the series, so for any Ranma fan here's another set with a good price worth getting for your home collection....

This series seemed to fall in with the original TV series where it leaves off. If you liked the original TV series then you will probably like the OVA as well. It is a little pricey since you only get 12 episodes so I can't give it a five out of five. If you are watching the seven seasons of Ranma 1/2 make sure you finish them before you watch the OVA because a character introduced at the end of season 7 (The last season) is in the OVA. It did feel a little weird that each of the two disks have different openings and closings making it feel more like two small OVA series then one OVA series. Another note about the openings and closings, the first disks closing seems way too long because they have the song then the credits instead of the credits during the song like every else does.

This comes with a "special collector's postcard set", consisting of 6 postcards with full-color art. Not to mention the 'pin-up' of female Ranma on the back of the table of contents insert!
Postcard 1 is Christmas themed, centering on boy!Ranma carrying Akane for some reason while random Christmas things go on in the background.
Postcard 2 is Shampoo daydreaming of marrying Ranma in an elaborate ceremony.