As always with these double volumes, there are a ton of stories that span the breadth of what Ranma ½ is known for, wacky antics in a mix of fantasy, romance, and action. This one features mostly multi-chapter storylines, as follows:
● Genma realizes that Ranma’s strength is starting to exceed his own and deals with both parental pride and jealousy as a result. It’s a fun idea to address such themes, though the inevitable face-off between them, while suitably goofy, doesn’t have as much of a payoff as I might have wanted.
● Akane is able to make a confection that can give a clue as to her soul mate, which typical antics ensuing after Ryoga and Ranma try it out. There’s also cleverness in this plot, but again, this story wraps up a bit abruptly.
● The “martial arts cheerleading” storyline harkens back to many similar classic plots involving zany takes on school sports. This one adds a dash of kendo, and it is fun to see Ranma take up the cause (sort of) for Kuno of all people.
● Not until the 225th chapter of the whole manga does Ranma’s mother finally get introduced. With this development, we actually get the first story in a very long time in which gender-switching finally returns to the limelight after being absent or only briefly mentioned of late. Here we have Ranma deliberating on the question of “manliness” when facing a very traditionally minded mother. There are some deeper issues that get hinted at, and there are even scenes in which the Tendo family mourn their own lost matriarch, though being foremost a comedy, things never get too serious. It’s nice to get back to some of the series’ original themes, though.
● Shampoo gets her hands on a brooch that can enhance either love or hate, and when she starts loathing Ranma, Ranma in turn tries to win her over. There’s some fun, but at times I might question the characters’ motivations (especially Ranma, who is under no magic).
● This 2-in-1 volume concludes with its only single-chapter story, in which Happosai gets into a typical Happosai-style conundrum involving a ghost.