Ranma 1/2 - OAV Series, Episodes 1-12 | 
| Directors: Takeshi Mori, Shinji Takagi (ii), Tomomichi Mochizuki
Actors: Kappei Yamaguchi, Megumi Hayashibara, Noriko Hidaka, Ron Halder, Takehito Koyasu
Studio: Viz Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $119.99
Buy Used: $30.99
You Save: $89.00 (74%)
Used (4) from $30.99
Rating:  34 reviews
Sales Rank: 77695
Format: Color, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: Japanese (Original Language), English (Subtitled), English (Dubbed)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Academy Ratio
Running Time: 375 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.9
ISBN: 6305813027
UPC: 013023044296
EAN: 9786305813026
ASIN: 6305813027
Theatrical Release Date: January 1, 2000
Release Date: January 28, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
Since its debut in the manga weekly "Shonen Sunday Comics" in 1988 and as an anime series a year later, Rumiko Takahashi's gender-bending comedy Ranma 1/2 has been a popular favorite in both Japan and the United States. The first OAV episodes make it easy to understand why: the stories blend outrageous physical comedy, absurd situations, and likable, obtuse characters with just enough sentiment to keep the humor from becoming mean-spirited. Ryota Yamaguchi's screenplays push the nutty situations to the maximum, and director Junji Nishimura keeps the action moving. School blowhard Kuno hatches a phoenix that looks more like an outsized marshmallow Easter chick than the noble bird of legend: it imprints on Ranma, causing no end of trouble. An enchanted brooch produces 180-degree revolutions in the emotions of Shampoo, the Chinese girl. When she wears the pin right-side up, she chases Ranma harder than ever; when she wears it upside-down, she detests him with equal fervor. A demon escapes after 300 years of imprisonment and possesses members of the cast: Ranma and Ryoga use their martial arts skills to bombard the monster with charms that would recapture it--if they had spelled the magic formula correctly. The filmmakers balance these absurdities with gentle moments that anchor the character relationships. When Akane knits a scarf for Ranma in "Tendo Family Christmas," it looks like it's been attacked by a flock of voracious moths. He happily dons it and hands her a gift he bought with money borrowed from her venal sister Nabiki. Not realizing that Akane's spirit has been trapped in an enchanted doll, Ranma holds it and reflects on the things that make her attractive to him. The warm moments play against the exaggerated slapstick--when Akane punches Ranma, he literally goes flying--and vice versa. Ranma fans will want this three-disc set in their libraries; newcomers will find it an excellent introduction to one of the best-loved anime series of all time. Not rated; suitable for ages 12 and up: minor nudity and cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon
Description
Includes 12 original video episodes. Romance, comedy, martial arts mayhem, multiple personality changes, devilish dolls, haunted caves, magical phoenixes, evil ogres, legendary monsters and more! Special features include: Bilingual (English & Japanese), English Subtitles, Scene Access, Character Profiles & Info, Music Videos, and Trailer.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 29 more reviews...
 Great dvd set for any anime collection.. May 11, 2000
32 out of 37 found this review helpful
Well, since Ranma is an older series and most likely anyone buying the dvd set will probably know the general plot to Ranma, I won't go into a synopsis on the OAV series in this set. I'll comment instead on the presentation. First off, the box is encased in a plastic see-thru slip cover ala Fushigi Yuugi. It even opens up ala Fushigi Yuugi. There are pictues of Ranma, Genma, Shampoo, Moose, and Ranma's mom?(Or Akane's) in the inside covers. The disc hub is unfortunately that ungiving, unmoving hard hub that feels like you can split a disc while removing them. Be careful with the discs while doing so. Also, included in a side pocket to the sleeve is a sheet detailing the episodes in order along with a general synopsis of the story. Picture quality in this set is great. Crystal clear although I did find one minor picture glitch in my first disc. Subtitles are done in yellow with black background which is a bit harsh on the eyes. The subtitles also seem to shimmer a bit. I find it's a little bit annoying, but liveable. Still, despite some minor quips, the set is worth its price if you're a Ranma fan.
Reawakening Memories May 26, 2000
Kent Gutschke (Adkins, Texas)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
In 1995, I took a job grading standardized tests while working on my degree. My first assignment was grading essays written by 11th graders in Oklahoma. And while many of the essays were dreadfully composed, one student in particular wrote an excellent essay on Japanese Anime. At that time, I had searched for animation that matched the humor, edge, and wit of the classic Warner Brothers' cartoons, and had met with little success. In this essay I graded, this student used Ranma to illustrate the best characteristics of Anime - bilingual puns, hilarious situations, and subjects that certainly would not qualify as politically correct. Shortly after the essay, I sampled many of the various Anime and Manga distributed by VIZ, and to my disappointment, found much of this genre poorly written and poorly animated. I found Ranma , however, an exception to the mediocrity that plagues so much Anime and American animation today. And in my opinion, this collection of stories is of better quality than the television series or feature-length movies. Without exception, the animation of the OAV series surpasses that of the television series and compares favorably with the two theatrical releases. I also find that the pacing of the OAV episodes is better than both theatrical releases. In the OAV series, the timing of the gags is impeccable, the characters are well developed, and the satire, while sometimes gentle, is often razor sharp. And if you investigate the stories more closely, you will find that Rumiko Takahashi has a knack for retelling Japanese myths and legends in hilarious ways, often turning your every expectation on its head (Reawakening Memories, Hell Hath No Fury, and One Grew Over the Kuno's Nest). And, when you compare the quality, length, and cost of the OAV series on DVD to that of the movies, the OAV series is the one to buy. Finally, should the student who introduced me to this amazing series read this review, thank you.
Ranma fan? You must have it.... May 23, 2000
Roberto Zegarra F (Lima, Lima Peru)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
If you are buting this DVD set it means you actually know Ranma's history, so I'm reviewing just the DVD presentation. The case is very original, all three DVDs come together, the box unfolds and shows the DVDs. It has a space for a booklet, but there is only a sheet with the episodes list, I think they should make a booklet or something. The DVD menus are fine, easy to use, maybe more colors in the menus were needed, but it's ok. The last DVD has all the op. and ending from the original japansese edition without credits, so, you get the RANMA DOCO LD for free. It has the transcription of the Animericca interview to Rumiko Takahashi, and other goodies. The subtitles are just too yellow for my taste, but you get used to them. By the other side, the subtitles are very close to the original japanese meaning. For example, in An Akane to Remember (OVA Special) Ranma says in english (dub): "There's something you don't know: Akane is mine!", but in japanese he actually said something different... and the subtitles are according to that. So, I suggest you to buy this DVDs if you are a Ranma fan, the price is just great, and you'll be very happy with them.
 Overall... August 12, 2000
13 out of 17 found this review helpful
I haven't really seen much of Ranma 1/2 the series since they don't show it on TV and I don't like spending too much money for a VHS with just a couple of episodes in it. I HAVE read a few volumes of the manga though, so I'm somewhat familiar with the characters that appear in the OVA. I love the manga, with its humor and crazy stories (and fighting styles). There were really great episodes, some not so great, but I guarantee you, you'll get at least a few laughs at each one of the stories. This is a must-have for Ranma 1/2 fans. I recommend this also to other people who like comedy anime. I guess that people who aren't familiar with the series can enjoy the OAV, but I STRONGLY suggest to at least familiarize yourself to the story and the characters to get the most out of the DVD set. I also like the extras that came along with the third disk :) Oh yeah, watch the english-subtitled, Japanese audio version for those who don't really understand the language (like me), the voice acting is much much better (of course) than the English version, you get more emotion in the Japanese version. Overall, this is a really good buy for Ranma 1/2 and anime fans.
For those who want more than the series May 29, 2002
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
If you want an introduction to Ranma, this set is not good for you. If you loved the tv seasons and manga, you just found the spot. This dvd contains 12 episodes (OAV) that means they are not part od the tv series, but aditional standalone chapters. In fact, they are 10 complete stories, because the second dvd has two stories of two episodes each, but believe me, they are the best ones.
Excelent quality, in japanese and english versions, but you'll prefer japanese with subtitles. Also, each AOV has its own opening and closing songs, but they were replaced on each disc by the ones dubbed to english. The good news is that all the original songs were placed in the last disc, without the anoying credits!!!. Those are the DOCO songs, the group of voice actresses of the serie. Some of the best songs from Ranma. If you have the cds (DOCO first, DOCO second or DOCO Karaoke), now you'll have the videos!!!!
Enjoy it.
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