by Mike Favila, Editor

I am personally glad to see that Viz is coming out with Ranma 1/2 box sets very regularly.  At this rate, they should be able to kick out the whole episode run by next year.  Ranma 1/2 Anime Set 2 is very similar to Set 1, and that is a good thing.

Now that the cartoon has introduced all the main characters and their individual back stories, Rumiko Takahashi and the animators can expand a little bit more on the main characters’ personalities and introduce the supporting cast.  While the show is mainly about martial arts, the real hilarity is watching everybody duke it out either for Ranma or Akane’s romantic affection.  Although we’d already seen Shampoo going after Ranma, but she really takes it up a notch.  Wild Kuno and oh so desperate Ryoga are still constantly trying to woo Akane, but the melodrama won’t stop.  Shampoo’s unrequited love, Mousse enters (Mousse, Shampoo, get it?) the picture as well.

My favorite character Happosai also makes his first appearance in Set 2.  Happosai is Tendo and Genma’s sensei, and instead of acting like the wise, calm stereotype of a teacher, he goes around at night stealing panties that have been hung out to dry, therefore putting the whole dojo in uncomfortable positions.  Conversely, Shampoo’s granny also starts a ramen shop in town and starts putting the pressure on Ranma.

In later seasons, it starts to get a little ridiculous trying to keep track of who is who, but for now, everybody has a specific hilarious purpose.  (For example, where is the rest of Kuno’s family anyway?)  The variety of characters always insures that there is a surplus of stories to tell.

Presentation

Ranma 1/2 Set 2 is housed in a very sturdy cardboard artbox, which contains 3 discs.  It’s convenient and sturdy, and makes for a great collector’s set.  Included in the package is an art card, with girl Ranma holding P-chan in her lap.

While the last set which had a Ranma 1/2 manga sample, Set 2 just contains the synopsis for each episode and the credits for the original series.

Audio & Video

The video presentation is still in it’s original 4:3 aspect ratio.  The menus are very modern and clear, identical to the last set.  The 2.0 Stereo audio is distinct and lively.

You still have the option of listening in Japanese with English subtitles, English with English subtitles (mismatched), or English with just subs for the song intro and outro, along with the signs in the cartoons.

Special Features

The first set contained a little featurette which included interviews with Ranma 1/2 fans at New York Comic Con.  Ranma 1/2 Set 2 has a continuation of interviews and fan reactions from the same convention.

Overall

Ranma 1/2 Set 2 has done a great job of continuing what was excellent in Set 1.  The artbox, book, DVD packaging all serve to accentuate that this is a premium product and worth placing on your shelf.  I had great time sharing this with my little brother and sister, who were laughing at all the visual puns and jokes for the first time, though I had to dodge the questions about why Happo was so obsessed with panties.

Rating:
ComicsOnline.com gives Ranma 1/2 Set 2 5 out of 5 chestnuts roasting in a fire technique!

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