REVIEW: ‘Ranma 1/2’ Episode 2 — “I Hate Men!”

There’s zero hesitation in the onslaught of humor, action, and chaos in Ranma 1/2 Episode 2, “I Hate Men.” Taking a relatively straightforward plot and dialing it up to a 100, the series continues to pulsate with high-octane hilarity and character bits that fortify the adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s work. Utilizing inventive animation styles and formats that mesh and meld beautifully with the series’ tone, the MAPPA production earns its keep with another strong outing.

Ranma 1/2 Episode 2 embraces Looney Toon’s logic. The premise is simple. Despite not understanding why he needs to go, Ranma (Megumi Hayashibara and Kappei Yamaguchi) acquiesces to attending school alongside Akane (Noriko Hidaka). But what should be an easy commute complicates itself. First, there’s the issue of Ranma and his father trying to conceal his curse. He turns into a girl whenever cold water hits, only to resume his male form with hot water. The way that the series makes this such an uphill hurdle is hilarious, creating more and more unlikely scenarios to force the transformation.

One such instance happens on the way to school, where we meet Dr. Tofu, a local chiropractor whom Akane has a crush on. Ranma is in his female form then and is shocked by Tofu’s ability to sneak up on him. It’s a small moment used as an interlude as Akane gets hot water to change Ranma back to his male form, but it is a solid introduction to a new character.

Ranma 1/2 Episode 2 also has fun with spatial comedy and broad gags. We first meet Tofu  through the skeleton hand he places on Ranma’s shoulder.  It also proves that while, on the whole, Akane can’t stand men, she has at least one exception with her crush on Tofu.

That exception isn’t the rule, however, as we find in the chaos of her brawl upon approaching school. She’s met with a crowd of boys looking to defeat her to earn her love. This is spearheaded by lovable doofus Tatewaki, who believes anyone who wins against her will earn a date. The combat between Akane and the hoard of boys is electrifying. It shifts into a subtle paneling that gives greater depth and accentuates movement. But it picks up even more so when Ranma faces Tatewaki, the lines of motion crisp and dynamic.

But of course, the issue is muddied when rain strikes and Ranma becomes a girl once more, having to hide lest his secret reveals itself. He’s able to change back and realizes that, despite having the upper hand, Tatewaki did manage to land at least a single blow on him. That all of this has happened before their first class heightens the comedy as it increasingly leans into absurdism. It’s doubled down on when Ranma, Akane, and Tatewaki are all reprimanded and must stand in the hallway together while holding buckets of water, once again threatening Ranma’s curse.

Simplistic isn’t inherently wrong—something that Ranma 1/2 understands. We see it in the second fight between Ranma and Tatewaki when they scour the school halls. To evade capture, Ranma leaps through the third-story window only to be foiled by the swimming pool below. Thus begins Tatewaki’s relationship with female Ranma, as he realizes the person swimming him to safety is a woman, though he doesn’t realize that they’re the same person.

The increasingly ridiculous situations in which Tatewaki doesn’t recognize female Ranma make for pitch-perfect characterization. All of it culminates in Tatewaki offering a declaration of love with a bouquet, seemingly having moved on from Akane to Ranma. The sequence, stripped of color aside from the roses themselves, delivers a high-impact ending as Ranma’s situation grows messier still.

For a series so focused on comedy, it also continues to look amazing. The color texture and different styles of animation elevate the source material. The contrasting styles work rather than compete with one another. The watercolor skylines marry with the blocking and linework of action sequences, creating a fully formed visual scenario rather than disjointed ideas.

Ranma 1/2 Episode 2 is hilarious, with its jokes energizing the narrative through the absurdity of it all. The physical comedy, such as Tatewaki suspending in midair while talking to Ranma, plays into the surreal energy of the series. Meanwhile, the characters themselves are just as entertaining. The fact that female Ranma turns into such an absolute gremlin towards Akane works to solidify their combating relationship. It also showcases how Ranma behaves differently depending on what form he’s in.

Considering the source material and the studio behind it, it shouldn’t be as shocking, but Ranma 1/2 Episode 2 solidifies the series as a surprise hit of the season. The expert blend of humor, action, and visual elasticity makes for a charming and engaging viewing.

Ranma 1/2 Episode 2 is out now on Netflix.