Ranma ½ OAV Boxset
Reviewed by:
Keith Trudeau (July 17, 2002)
The Ranma 1/2 OAV Boxed Set, released in 2001, is a single fold-out
case conatining three DVDs, each featuring four episodes. It retails
on Amazon.com for about $106.00. The episodes are:
Disc 1:
- "Curse of the Contrary Jewel"
- "Tendo Family Christmas Scramble"
- Akane vs. Ranma! I'll Be the One to Inherit Mother's recepies!"
- "Stormy Weather Comes to School! Growing Up With Miss Hinako"
Disc 2:
- "The One to Carry On, Part 1"
- "The One to Carry On, Part 2"
- "Reawakening Memories, Part 1"
- "Reawakening Memories, Part 2"
Disc 3:
- "Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix"
- "Oh Cursed Tunnel of Lost Love! Let My Love Be Forever"
- "Hell Hath No Fury Like Kasumi Scorned!"
- "The Two Akanes, 'Ranma, Look At Me!'"
This set contains the very latest and high-quality Ranma animation
to date. Other than a definitve final movie, the OAV series was the
next-best sendoff to the Ranma 1/2 anime. Every sub-character is included
at one point of another. This series has something for everyone. Also,
later-introduced characters common only to the manga, like Ms. Hinako
and Nodoka, (Ranma's mother) make appearances.
Things you will like about this set:
As I said, Hinako and Nodoka are two appealing characters not often
seen in the anime. Also, Ranma and Akane have what I consider "their
shining moments" in the hour-long episodes, "The One to Carry On,"
and "Reawakening Memories." No other episodes examine their strange
relationship like those two. And Shampoo/Ukyo fans will not be disappointed
either, as they are featured frequently in five of the twelve episodes.
And the animation, as I said earlier, is top-notch. The opening/ending
videos (there are two kinds of each) are without question the best.
Things you won't like:
There are really no unappealing episodes. Other than perhaps the price,
I can't see any reason NOT to buy this set.
As for the extras:
First and foremost, the prize extra in this set is the DoCo music
videos. DoCo, if you do not already know, is the Ranma 1/2 female
signing group of Shampoo, Akane, Kasumi, Nabiki, and female Ranma.
The videos and songs are, for the most part, EXCELLENT. In
addition to these videos is a "character info" section, the OAV trailer,
a sketch of every room in the Tendo household, and an interview with
the series creator, the great Rumiko Takahashi herself. This is BY
FAR the most impressive "extras" collection of any Ranma DVD so
far.
This is a VERY good set of episodes. Not something to buy if
this is your first time seeing Ranma, but a gem in any collection.
However, if you're short on money, and you own a VCR, I strongly reccomend
buying the VHS version instead. Its cheaper, and you will still get
the DoCo videos as well. Either way, you win.
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