Taken place in Japan of the 80s-90s era. Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome are both Martial Artists of the "Anything Goes School of Martial Arts". Soun is a father of 3 daughters while Genma has only 1 son. They both agree that Genma's son: Ranma Saotome would marry one of Soun's daughters when the time comes. So that way the whole "Anything Goes School" will continue on.
By the time Ranma is 16, it was time for him to be acquainted with the Tendo family. Soun Tendo had no idea what Genma's son is like. But it very excited for one of his 3 daughters: Akane, Nabiki, & Kasumi will be the fiancé of Ranma. Only the Tendo family will learn that both Ranma & his dad have been cursed by the sacred hot springs of Jusenkyo in China. Genma was cursed with the form of a Panda and Ranma is cursed with the forms of a red haired busty girl. When douse with cold water, they turn into their cursed forms, but warm water will change them back to their original forms.
Soun Tendo at first was disappointed with all this, but after learning about their trip to China and how their curse forms work with water temperature. He finds it to be no big deal. Soun introduces Ranma to his 3 daughters and said he can pick either one of them to be his future bride. However Nabiki & Kasumi agreed that their youngest daughter Akane will make a fitting wife with Ranma. Akane didn't like the decision at all, and find this prearranged marriage to be a joke. And she finds Ranma's ability to turn into a girl to be perverted. Ranma didn't care too much about this prearranged marriage either. Because he wants to go back to China to find a curse spring that'll make him a whole male again.
Only problem is his dad refuses him to go back to China, when Genma's hoped for so long for his son to be the fiancé of one of Soun's daughters. To make a long argument short, Ranma & Genma now stay at the Tendo's house as honoree guests. Both Akane & Ranma don't want to get more involved together. But pretty soon they do start to care about each other. Even though they don't show that care to one another.
Made back 1989, based off of one of Japan's best selling Manga written & drawn by Rumiko Takahata. Who worked on the series from 1986-1996. Also a success in America, way before Anime became popular as it is today. The thing I like most about it is the theme of the series, the flow of the story, and the comedy which occurs frequently in each episode. Next to the comedy is action and romance. Since this is a martial arts related anime, you do see a lot of it in each episode.
Through out the whole series, you'll see Ranma & Akane's relationship grow. As well as encounters with other rivals and other fiancés that create a huge and complicated love triangle. Those who like Inuyusha, Urusei Yatsura, & Rumiko's other works will admire this one a lot. In my opinion this is one of Rumiko's best works.
Remember this is only Season 1 of the 7 season series. If you like the first 18 episodes, be sure to see the other 6 seasons of the "Ranma 1/2: Anything Goes School of Martial Arts" series.
Also this is a perfect Anime for dates or for someone's girlfriend.
