Original review: 6/11/15
Congratulations, Rumiko Takahashi-san.... I simply cannot escape your work. Right when I was finishing my SECOND reading of Inuyasha, and a month after completing Ranma 1/2, I just had to get sucked into your latest work. Congrats. You've made me into an addict.
In the shounen department of manga, Takahashi is the most prevalent author of my reading collection. I'm a major fangirl of the anime Inuyasha (and adore the manga as well), and I enjoy her much, er, lighter pieces (though "short" will never be an accurate description).
I started watching Rin-ne on Hulu then got invested in the manga. I think this is like if Inuyasha and Ranma collaborated to make one series with a little of both in it. It has the supernatural elements and adventure thrill of Inuyasha, while remaining (mostly) in the school setting and retaining Ranma's almost nonchalant attitude about batshit insanity running amuck. That, and pointless gags (that don't result in "sit boy!").
However, the main characters are the most refreshing thing about the series (at least, for anyone who's familiar with Takahashi's previous works): they. Don't. FIGHT ALL THE TIME. I REPEAT: RUMIKO TAKAHASHI'S LOVE INTERESTS ACTUALLY GET ALONG. WHAAAA??? This is practically unheard of!! Sakura puts Rin-ne in line, sometimes, but far less aggressively than Kagome or Akane would have been. They hardly even bicker! Which does lead to one gaping problem in the relationship: limited chemistry. Now, I'm on the fourth volume, so maybe things start to heat up later, but right now..? They're more like Inuyasha and Kagome when fighting demons (and not fighting each other), like excellent teammates, but hardly potential lovers....
Ah, but I still have much to read, so I may end up with something resolutions or just eat my own words. We shall see.
Am I in love with this series? No, not really, but I do appreciate it more than Ranma (there was just a bit too much repetitive insanity for 36 volumes.... At least I had nearly all of them on person...). Inuyasha will forever hold my heart, but Rin-ne is looking promising.... At least, for now. ^^"