About “Ranma 1/2” in a few words:

Ranma 1/2 is about martial artist boy cursed to transform into girl. He is not alone in his chaotic life. His fiancee, friends and rivals each bring their own brand of mayhem. Between duels, awkward romances and absurd situations, this series blends comedy, martial arts and a sprinkle of romance. Its playful take on identity and relationships ensures never a dull moment for viewers.

Meet the characters from Ranma 1/2

Ranma Saotome

Ranma is the chaotic heart of the whole mess — hot-headed martial artist with a cursed splash of water that turns him into a girl (cold water, of course, because of course it would be that dramatic). He’s cocky and annoyingly competent in a fight, but also weirdly insecure about pretty much everything that isn’t a punch. Loves showing off, hates being told what to do, and will spontaneously switch from hero mode to sulky teenager in two panels, which is the best. He swears he hates girly stuff but sometimes secretly likes bows (don’t tell him I said that).

Akane Tendou

Akane is a walking contradiction: tough karate champ, terrible cook (mostly), and secretly soft enough to glue a cracked heart back together with sheer stubbornness. She’s blunt, stubborn, and will punch you for being patronizing — then make you tea when you’re bleeding, because of course she will. Protective of the people she cares about and mortified by romantic mushiness (but also flustered like crazy), she’s the stable center everyone keeps running into. Also she loses things all the time? Or maybe she’s just very dramatic about lost gloves.

Ryouga Hibiki

Ryouga is the tragic compass — literally cannot find his way anywhere, and it’s his whole personality arc, bless him. Broody, strong as a bull, and ridiculously loyal to Akane (from a safe, confused distance), he’s the guy who will fight you and then get lost heading home. He shows up smelling faintly of wilderness and bad luck, claims he’s “just tough” but cries at tiny dog commercials, so pick your mental image. Also he hates Ranma with the mature subtlety of a thunderclap, yet competes in ways that are secretly kind of sweet.

Shampoo

Shampoo is deliciously dramatic — a Chinese Amazon who’ll pounce you into next Tuesday for disrespecting her honor, and then bring you steamed buns because she feels awkward about the violence. She turns into a cat-girl with cold water (which she hates explaining) and is completely sincere about her feelings for Ranma, in the way only someone trained to kill you as a greeting can be. Fierce, clueless about modern city etiquette, and surprisingly soft when she’s not plotting assassinations, she’s both adorable and terrifying in the best possible mix. Also she insists on archaic customs for dates for reasons that are 50% cultural pride and 50% attempt to scare rivals away.

Nabiki Tendou

Nabiki is the mercenary mastermind of the family — if there’s money to be made from your misery or secrets, she’s already written a spreadsheet in her head. Dry, sharp, and unflappably practical, she will sell you out and then lend you the exact amount you need with interest and a wink. She seems cold but pops up at the right moments with advice that’s suspiciously useful (and often wrapped in a price). Also she buys weird souvenirs for no reason and will lecture you about value, then impulse-spend on sparkly things five minutes later.

Genma Saotome

Genma is the irresponsible dad who somehow survived getting turned into a panda and still manages to be simultaneously cowardly and infuriatingly clever. He runs from trouble more often than a stray dog, but will also hatch ridiculous schemes that sometimes (shockingly) work, and he loves his son in his own incompetent way. Perpetual schemer, occasional sage (in tiny, begrudging doses), and very proud of being a panda now that it has tactical advantages. Also he’s kind of a perv, in the way that will make you groan and then quietly accept that yeah, that’s Genma.

Tatewaki Kunou

Tatewaki is the over-the-top romantic samurai type who writes love poetry like it’s a weapon and charges into awkwardness with full honor. He’s noble, dramatic, and hilariously oblivious to how terrifying his declarations of love actually are — he will confess to Akane like he’s reciting a battle cry. Proud kendo captain vibes, thinks of himself as a tragic hero, and will swoon at the sight of a rival as if it’s a duel to the death (emotionally speaking). Also deeply earnest and totally unable to take rejection gracefully, which makes him endlessly entertaining.