Ranma 1/2 Volume 20 is a manga with the story and art by Rumiko Takahashi, and it was published in North America by Viz Media. This review is for the second printing of this volume, which was released in 2005. The Ranma 1/2 manga volumes are “flipped,” which means that they read like American books instead of traditional Japanese manga. Ranma 1/2 is rated “T+” for older teens, due to some panels that feature female nudity.
Volume 20 finishes the martial arts cheerleading story that began in Volume 19, and it also includes three additional stories. The first new story in this volume was adapted for the Ranma 1/2 anime series, the second became the basis for one of the Ranma 1/2 OAV episodes, and the third was never adapted in any way for the anime.
The first new story in Volume 20 introduces the reader to Ranma’s mother. It turns out that Genma had taken Ranma away from home to train when he was very young, so he has no memory of his mother. Before Genma left with Ranma, he made a vow with his wife that if he failed to raise Ranma to be a true man among men, that the two of them would commit ritual seppuku. When Genma finds out his wife is coming, he tries to hide himself and Ranma, so his wife won’t find out about their curse. Ranma wants to meet his mother, and Akane tries to find a way to make it happen.
The second story sees Shampoo going through some of her great-grandmother’s jewelry, and Cologne says she can have one item from the collection. Shampoo selects a brooch and begins to wear it. The next time she sees Ranma, she acts very coldly toward him and wants nothing to do with him. Cologne realizes that Shampoo is wearing the Jewel of Reversal. When it’s worn in the correct position, love flows abundantly; however, when it is worn in the opposite position, it turns love into hate. Cologne hatches a plan with the jewel in order to try and force Ranma to marry Shampoo.
When these first two stories were adapted for the Ranma 1/2 anime, they were basically kept intact. I really didn’t notice any glaring differences between the manga and anime versions of the stories.
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