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Ranma ½ #3
Ranma ½, Vol. 3
¡Kodachi Kuno y Akane Tendo se enfrentan en un combate de gimnasia rítmica! Pero el destino le juega una mala pasada a la joven Tendo y es Ranma quien debe pelear. ¿Quién saldrá victoriosa? ¡Y la diversión no termina, pues Ranma y Akane reciben un desafío por parte de una talentosa (y peligrosa) pareja de patinadores!
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
11 people are currently reading
739 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,581 books2,131 followersRumiko Takahashi (高橋留美子) was born in Niigata, Japan. She is not only one of the richest women in Japan but also one of the top paid manga artists. She is also the most successful female comic artist in history. She has been writing manga non-stop for 31 years.
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 14, 2024
this marks the end of my ranma reading journey cause the library doesn’t have vol. 4, 5, and 6
November 30, 2019
Qué grande esa nueva pareja de patinaje y el combate de patinaje marcial. Me encanta la pareja que hacen Ranma y Akane. No puedo parar de reír con el torbellino del adiós.
October 24, 2021
This was another good one.
It pits Akane against the black rose, this girl is obsessed with Ranma and well there is a fancy martial arts competition but since Akane can't participate, female Ranma has to and its oblivious they are same and well its funny battle but I love the art here and the result goes as predicted but the battle was hilarious and had its moments. You could feel them (Ranma and Akane) slowly falling in love. And next up the Skateboard competition continues with the two new foes and why Ranma hates them is revealed here and hoe the black pig is involved too.
Its a light hearted slice of life stuff which shows the life of Ranma and Akane and is their love story and this volumes continues those moments, the two falling in love for each other slowly and Rumiko-san shows it in a great manner without diminishing on what makes this manga special. Its a great volume and highly recommending it!
It pits Akane against the black rose, this girl is obsessed with Ranma and well there is a fancy martial arts competition but since Akane can't participate, female Ranma has to and its oblivious they are same and well its funny battle but I love the art here and the result goes as predicted but the battle was hilarious and had its moments. You could feel them (Ranma and Akane) slowly falling in love. And next up the Skateboard competition continues with the two new foes and why Ranma hates them is revealed here and hoe the black pig is involved too.
Its a light hearted slice of life stuff which shows the life of Ranma and Akane and is their love story and this volumes continues those moments, the two falling in love for each other slowly and Rumiko-san shows it in a great manner without diminishing on what makes this manga special. Its a great volume and highly recommending it!
November 15, 2022
Sixth manga read for the "30 in 30 Manga Challenge" for the month of November 2022.
Quick review for a quick read. I definitely feel like I forgot how bonkers this series was from reading it years ago. This volume picks up where the last left off where Ryoga, Girl Ranma and Akane are facing off against Azusa and her partner - that particular battle had a few harrowing moments to speak of along with some funny ones. It turned out all right in the end...but then Ranma has to face off against yet another enemy - one who has traveled from China to kill girl Ranma.
Shampoo had a heck of an entrance here, and she goes between wanting to marry and kill Ranma based on the form taken. I liked this volume overall for what it offered. I'll have to revisit this series at some point.
Overall score: 3/5 stars.
Quick review for a quick read. I definitely feel like I forgot how bonkers this series was from reading it years ago. This volume picks up where the last left off where Ryoga, Girl Ranma and Akane are facing off against Azusa and her partner - that particular battle had a few harrowing moments to speak of along with some funny ones. It turned out all right in the end...but then Ranma has to face off against yet another enemy - one who has traveled from China to kill girl Ranma.
Shampoo had a heck of an entrance here, and she goes between wanting to marry and kill Ranma based on the form taken. I liked this volume overall for what it offered. I'll have to revisit this series at some point.
Overall score: 3/5 stars.
April 3, 2014
A weird middle-book and yet one that hits a nice stride. This volume straddles the end of the previous story, of Ranma and Akane feuding with ice skating wrestlers (what a wonderful nemesis to have), and the coming of Shampoo, the mad Amazon who wants to marry Ranma’s male half and kill his female half. Both parts of the volume are demented and zany, but would probably fit better in a bigger collection that nested more context. Regardless, the book was a joy to read.
My favorite part is Ryoga’s character development, and his uniquely dorky romance. He’s now opting to be stuck as a pig so he can spend time as Akane’s pet, because that’s the only way he can safely get her to be affectionate towards him. If the book was one ounce more serious, this would be creepy and terrible. As a sitcom, though, it’s adorable, especially for how deathly anxious Ryoga is about it. His attempts to invade the ice skate wrestling (I’m still glad that’s a thing) makes it one of the best fight scenes in the series so far, as he accidentally destroys the ice rink and both he and Ranma run the risk of falling into the water below and transforming. If nothing else, Takahashi put a disturbing amount of thought into the ridiculous perils her characters get into.
Then Shampoo shows up, literally at the moment when the ice skating nonsense is over, punching through the wall and into the plot. At first I sighed at the thought of yet another enemy showing up to fight the Tendo kids. Yet that’s not what she’s here for – instead, she’s on this mad courting ritual that has remarkably little violence, and instead is about characters trying to avoid each other, and Ranma and Akane constantly being separated and set against each other even as they fall more attached. This is the basic formula for the romance that never resolves, a curse the Ranma ½ series has thick around it, but for right now it works. I get why they’re not confessing to each other, and even am amused at how many interlopers are trying to screw up their relationship. What a tangled web they weave when everyone falls in love with the wrong person.
My favorite part is Ryoga’s character development, and his uniquely dorky romance. He’s now opting to be stuck as a pig so he can spend time as Akane’s pet, because that’s the only way he can safely get her to be affectionate towards him. If the book was one ounce more serious, this would be creepy and terrible. As a sitcom, though, it’s adorable, especially for how deathly anxious Ryoga is about it. His attempts to invade the ice skate wrestling (I’m still glad that’s a thing) makes it one of the best fight scenes in the series so far, as he accidentally destroys the ice rink and both he and Ranma run the risk of falling into the water below and transforming. If nothing else, Takahashi put a disturbing amount of thought into the ridiculous perils her characters get into.
Then Shampoo shows up, literally at the moment when the ice skating nonsense is over, punching through the wall and into the plot. At first I sighed at the thought of yet another enemy showing up to fight the Tendo kids. Yet that’s not what she’s here for – instead, she’s on this mad courting ritual that has remarkably little violence, and instead is about characters trying to avoid each other, and Ranma and Akane constantly being separated and set against each other even as they fall more attached. This is the basic formula for the romance that never resolves, a curse the Ranma ½ series has thick around it, but for right now it works. I get why they’re not confessing to each other, and even am amused at how many interlopers are trying to screw up their relationship. What a tangled web they weave when everyone falls in love with the wrong person.
January 19, 2016
The third volume in this series just keeps upping the silliness. I hope the parade of weird characters never ends.
December 27, 2021
Buiiiino, pos parece que comienza el slowburn y que ambos están en fase de negación xD. Me encantan los slowburns con dos idiotas negando lo que sienten y poniéndose celosones. Ryoga MVP.
June 18, 2025
Adds some further fun foils to Ranma and Akane!
Interesting stakes and directions!
The ice skating combat was plotted and paneled so brilliantly, constantly fascinating!
Interesting stakes and directions!
The ice skating combat was plotted and paneled so brilliantly, constantly fascinating!
January 4, 2023
This volume finishes up the martial arts figure skating (which gives us the first “Akane is my fiancé!” declaration). But don’t worry - Akane and Ranma don’t have time to get close before Shampoo, the Chinese Amazon, enters the story. She was bested by female-Ranma in combat and has followed her to Japan to kill her. Male-Ranma knocks her out, and she tells him that per Amazon law, she must marry him. (Sounds pretty shaky for a matriarchal warrior society, but I’m gonna let that pass.) She begins doting on Ranma and he realizes that she’s pretty cute. (“If only Akane acted like this!” he states, adding fuel to the fire that is my shipping heart.)
Shampoo and Akane argue, though, and Shampoo nearly kills Akane’s cute little pig (who’s Ryoga, in cursed form. Shhh, don’t tell Akane!). So she gives Akane the Kiss of Death and vows to kill her to get her out of the way. Instead, she shows mercy and just uses a shampoo/shiatsu technique to erase Ranma from Akane’s memories. Ranma does his best to bring Akane back to herself, and shows his curse to Shampoo, telling her the truth: he’s really a girl. This makes Shampoo quite sad, but she also says she’s leaving for good.
—-
Shampoo is beautiful and funny as a character, because she switches from lethal to adorable in seconds. The writing is a bit annoying, as they give her broken Japanese/English. I don’t think it’s intentionally racist, as other characters from China don’t have this speech pattern. It’s probably more for the hot/cute foreign girl feels. It’s not really fun either way. But again—I’m reading for nostalgia feels! So this volume hits the spot. :)
Shampoo and Akane argue, though, and Shampoo nearly kills Akane’s cute little pig (who’s Ryoga, in cursed form. Shhh, don’t tell Akane!). So she gives Akane the Kiss of Death and vows to kill her to get her out of the way. Instead, she shows mercy and just uses a shampoo/shiatsu technique to erase Ranma from Akane’s memories. Ranma does his best to bring Akane back to herself, and shows his curse to Shampoo, telling her the truth: he’s really a girl. This makes Shampoo quite sad, but she also says she’s leaving for good.
—-
Shampoo is beautiful and funny as a character, because she switches from lethal to adorable in seconds. The writing is a bit annoying, as they give her broken Japanese/English. I don’t think it’s intentionally racist, as other characters from China don’t have this speech pattern. It’s probably more for the hot/cute foreign girl feels. It’s not really fun either way. But again—I’m reading for nostalgia feels! So this volume hits the spot. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
Ranma and crew are very cute!
May 21, 2018
I read books 3 & 4 as part of a reading challenge. I've never read Manga before and although I did laugh once or twice, it was all so absurd and so filled with fighting that I did not find it enjoyable at all, mostly mystifying, and was glad it could get through it quickly. I also wasn't a big fan of the way the women were depicted. I definitely won't be back for more.
April 4, 2015
Always great fun.
September 24, 2016
Ranma and Akane team up in this manga. Got to love this these two are something else. Ranma even get's his first kiss in his female form and not from someone you would expect. A must read.
December 31, 2020
31 Dec 2020
Plot: Kodachi meets Akane and falls for boy-type Ranma. Ranma subs in for Akane during the rhythmic gymnastics martial arts tournament. Kodachi and f!Ranma fight. The gang meet the weirdo skaters. Ryoga gets semi-kidnapped. Ranma has his first kiss stolen from him and gets mad about it. The gymnastics tournament starts.
1. Asuza is the most HILARIOUSLY UNHINGED character in this story and let's remember we've already met the Kunos. Every panel with her in it is a delight.
2. Manga!Akane continues to be far more competent than anime!Akane, doing things like figuring out Kaodachi was trying to sneak-attack f!Ranma.
3. P-Chan is a blessing especially when he spends half his panels with frustrated angry tears in his eyes. I love to see him cry because I love him guys I promise.
4. There were, however, way too many panels in this volume dedicated to fight sequences. Ranma is a great story, but its strength lies in humor and characters. The fights don't really add all that much.
Plot: Kodachi meets Akane and falls for boy-type Ranma. Ranma subs in for Akane during the rhythmic gymnastics martial arts tournament. Kodachi and f!Ranma fight. The gang meet the weirdo skaters. Ryoga gets semi-kidnapped. Ranma has his first kiss stolen from him and gets mad about it. The gymnastics tournament starts.
1. Asuza is the most HILARIOUSLY UNHINGED character in this story and let's remember we've already met the Kunos. Every panel with her in it is a delight.
2. Manga!Akane continues to be far more competent than anime!Akane, doing things like figuring out Kaodachi was trying to sneak-attack f!Ranma.
3. P-Chan is a blessing especially when he spends half his panels with frustrated angry tears in his eyes. I love to see him cry because I love him guys I promise.
4. There were, however, way too many panels in this volume dedicated to fight sequences. Ranma is a great story, but its strength lies in humor and characters. The fights don't really add all that much.
June 15, 2021
It turns out that my library has most of this series, and since the Covid regulations have lifted enough that we can now access the stacks, I was able to find these books. Still so funny. I laugh so hard when reading these books. They are absolutely ridiculous.
The martial figure skating competition happens in this volume and then we are introduced to a new character: Shampoo, a young woman martial arts expert from China who Ranma met during his time there. Lots of drama over different people having crushes on each other.
The martial figure skating competition happens in this volume and then we are introduced to a new character: Shampoo, a young woman martial arts expert from China who Ranma met during his time there. Lots of drama over different people having crushes on each other.
November 16, 2023
This series is so delightfully ridiculous. Like martial arts gymnastics? Where the oponent is the sister of the weirdo that's obsessed with Akane, and she's also a huge cheater. That's kind of hilarious. Then there's the martial arts figure skating, which honestly sounds like a war crime with how deadly fighting with knives strapped to your feet is. Also the Sanzenin dude's obsession with kissing every girl he comes into contact with except his skating partner. Again absolute crime, but also kind of funny in this context.
January 3, 2021
Si bien el arco de los patinadores no es mi favorito, Ranma me encoge el corazón, solo quiero abrazarlo y decirle que todo estará bien. Es increíble, asqueroso y frustrante que en su corta vida como mujer haya sufrido acoso.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 27, 2022I forgot that Ranma is a super slow romance and that there's a lot of back and forth and various other romantic competitors coming in and making them all jealous.
Also, I forget, does Akane ever find out Ryoga is P-Chan?
Also, I forget, does Akane ever find out Ryoga is P-Chan?
June 26, 2017
Sin duda un gran tomo, Ranma celoso, un mayor acercamiento con Akane, fue genial.
July 1, 2017
This series is so great and funny! Shampoo is such a cute character!
July 1, 2017
A.J. thought it was "hilarious" and recommends it to "anyone."
September 25, 2017
Jokes are getting kind of old. Same old banter between Ranma and Akane. Shampoo was very cute, and I hope she comes back.
April 30, 2018
Cute. Fun. Full of fights.
July 10, 2018
The crack continues! Gave this an extra star because my girl Shampoo makes her enterance.
January 11, 2019
4.5 stelline
Leggere Ranma é sempre un gioia🤩
Leggere Ranma é sempre un gioia🤩
June 27, 2019
EVERY. SINGLE. VOLUME. IS. AMAZING. I want to binge the rest of the series and never stop reading every time I finish a volume. That's all I have to say. Give me volume 4 please.
December 7, 2019
4,5 stars
April 2, 2020
La batalla de gimnasia y la de patinaje son lo máximo.
April 3, 2020
It's so nice to see that Akane and Ranma finally have a sweet moment~
February 1, 2022
De todos los enemigos de Ranma, mí favorita de lejos siempre ha sido la pareja de patinaje. Además que aparece una de los personajes secundarios más queridos como es Shampoo
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews