While Ranma 1/2 literally changed my life for the better, even I have to admit that the newest remake from Netflix is already surpassing the original. I owe a lot to the original anime based on Rumiko Takahashi's landmark manga series. I discovered it at an important time in my life, and watching its progressive and forward-thinking ideas helped me discover my identity as a Trans person. I'll always be grateful to the classic 90s anime for that, but with the new remake out, I have to admit that it's a vast improvement over the first.
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Netflix's remake of this iconic series takes all the best ideas from the original series and gives it a fresh coat of paint to make it feel fresher and faster-paced. The original series wasn't without its faults, and I can't help but be amazed that a lot of issues I had with the original series have been fixed in this updated version of the story. It's a much-needed update to an already great series, and with its technical improvements alongside a better paced script than what fans had in the 90s, the remake is the definitive way to see Takahashi's story animated.
Ranma 1/2's Remake is Undeniably Better-paced Than the Original
The Remake Cuts the Fat and Keeps Things Moving
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Perhaps the most infamous thing about the original Ranma 1/2 anime was how poorly paced it could be. While it had enough to keep fans entertained, including new storylines created exclusively for the series, the show pretty much dragged on and on without any sense of an ending in sight for multiple seasons. This is primarily due to the fact that the manga was still releasing at the time, so the anime needed to buy time for new chapters to come out and not run the risk of running out of material. However, this ultimately led to small moments in the source material being unnecessarily long.
The remake, however, retains the quick pace of the manga without feeling like it's going too quickly, like Uzumaki. As of episode 6, the series has been faithfully recreating the manga without adding length in between to stretch things out. Some of the biggest arcs have come and gone so far, such as Ryoga's entrance and Akane's hair being chopped off for a new look, and it all feels naturally paced. It's simply a smooth retelling of Rumiko Takahashi's story, and it's already adapted more of the manga in half the time, seeing as the original anime took until episode 12 to reach the same point where the remake currently is.
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The Emphasis on Color and a New Animation Style Breathes Life Into the Story
The Remake Feels More Alive than the Original
One of the other things I've come to love about the remake is its use of color and mixed animation. Every frame feels incredibly vibrant with bright colors flooding the screen, making it a joy to watch every second. Plus, with the subtle change of including a mixed animation style, the remake updates the story with a specific sense of identity without completely relying on fans' nostalgia for the 90s anime. The combination of color and a new style makes the series feel alive and unique compared to other anime coming out right now.
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Not too long after catching up with the remake though, I rewatched an episode or two of the original series. While it may be obvious, there's simply no comparing the two when it comes down to the animation. The 90s anime feels far more stilted than the remake, sharing a similar look to many series coming out at the time. This is, of course, due to lower budgets and technology at the time, but it's still incredibly hard to go back to the classic anime after having seen what the remake brings to the table.
Ranma 1/2's Remake Succeeds in Substance, Not Just Style
Netflix's Retelling is Just as Compelling as the Manga and Original Series
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Of course, with all this talk of style, it's important to note that it takes more than a show to look pretty for it to succeed. After all, the 90s anime captivated fans for its engaging storytelling, even if it was dragged out. Thankfully, the remake succeeds at being exceptional in substance as well. The story is as enjoyable as ever, retaining the twists and turns that made it such a fun unconventional coming-of-age romcom. Plus, with some cleverly placed moments of character development, the remake even goes beyond the original by bettering the relationship between Ranma and Akane.
My History With Ranma 1/2 Set a High Bar, and the Remake Surpassed It
MAPPA Had a Hard Task, But They More Than Succeeded
Turning back to my own history with Ranma 1/2, I do want to clarify that I had a high bar for this series going in. The original series has made a huge connection with the Trans community because of how much its themes appeal to gender questioning and identity. In fact, I remember the exact moment the 90s anime cracked my egg with the episode that saw Ranma get amnesia and only see himself as a girl, leading to an all too relatable depiction of gender dysphoria onscreen. These ties to my own past made the remake face a high hurdle for me, and it absolutely cleared it when it premiered.
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Everything I've come to love about Ranma 1/2 is present in this remake. From the humor to the interesting themes of gender identity, it's essentially the same show I remember. However, by trimming the fat of the classic series and giving the story a fresh coat of paint with vibrant colors and a mixed animation style, it's essentially an improved version of the series with a fresh coat of paint. I'll always have nostalgia for the original anime because of everything it did to help me realize who I am. However, this incredible retelling of a series that literally changed my life is fantastic, and from now on, I'll recommend this updated take on Ranma 1/2 as the better version of the story.
Source: Netflix Anime
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9.7/10
Ranma 1/2
TV-MA
Animation
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
In this comedic series, martial artist Ranma Saotome navigates life with a unique predicament: he transforms into a girl when splashed with cold water. His engagement to Akane Tendo adds further complexity, as they encounter numerous challenges within familial and martial arts dynamics.
- Character(s)
- Ranma Saotome , Ranma , Akane Tendo , Nabiki Tendo , Kasumi Tendo , Soun Tendo , Genma Saotome , Passerby , Postman , Jusenkyo Guide
- Release Date
- October 6, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
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