Summary
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Netflix’sRanma 1/2reboot often uses the first minute of each episode to introduce its characters and circumstances to the audience. This introduction makes sense since the concept of changing one’s sex via cold water isn’t the easiest to catch onto without explanation. However,Ranma 1/2changes this introduction each week, adding novelty to the otherwise tedious exposition.
If the practice of shaking up a TV show’s intro seems familiar, it’s because it is. The Simpsons has changed up its intro for over thirty years with its famous “couch gag.” Netflix’sRanma 1/2gives its unique touch to the “couch gag,” giving fanssomething to look forward towith each new episode.
Ranma 1/2 Explains the Premise Before Each Episode
The Opening Covers Ranma’s Curse and Engagement to Akane
After season 1, episode 1, “Here’s Ranma,” the Netflix adaptation needed a way toexpress the pilot episode’s conceptin a more condensed way. Otherwise, viewers must watch the series from the beginning to understand what’s happening.
Summarizing your TV show before each episode may seem unnecessary for streaming. However, it’s important to note thatRanma 1/2airs on Nippon TV in Japana week before it streams on Netflix. Therefore, the series’s opening summary helps new viewers watching broadcast television join in on the fun, regardless of what episode they’re watching.
Each opening summary uses a similar structure that touches on these key points:
And just like that, any TV viewer, whether a Ranma fanatic or someone watching for the first time, knows this sitcom’s relevant characters and circumstances.
The Ranma 1/2 Opening Changes Each Week
The Opening Echoes the Couch Gag From The Simpsons
Using a sitcom’s opening to provide expositionis a tradition as old as television. Sometimes, the intro uses verbal explanations, likeThe Brady BunchorGilligan’s Island. Other times, the exposition is primarily visual. For instance, theFriendsintro features the core cast hanging out in Washington Square Park (Six friends who live in New York City. Ok, got it.).
Animated sitcoms feature expository intros as well,most notablyThe Simpsons. Each scene tells us all we need to know:
AnySimpsonsviewer knows that the sofa shakes up this intro’s formula. The Simpson family encounters the couch via different scenarios and art styles at the end of each opening sequence. Sometimes, the family couch gets nixed entirely for a different ending scene. Fans know this trope as “The Couch Gag.”
Ranma 1/2 (2024)borrows fromThe Simpsonsin this regard, animating its opening sequence in new and exciting ways in each episode. Examples include setting the opening inside a theatre during a magic show, portraying the opening with shadow puppets, and animating the opening with paper cut-outs.
Every Ranma 1/2 Opening So Far
Ranma 1/2 (2024)fans can find each episode’s opening summary in the following section. Expand one of the tables below to view that season’s episodes with brief descriptions of their opening summaries.
1
“Here’s Ranma”
This episode doesn’t have an opening summary because it’s all exposition.
2
“I Hate Men”
This episode is the first with an opening summary. It’s done in Ranma 1/2’s art style and doesn’t stand out much.
3
“Because There’s Someone He Likes”
This episode doesn’t have an opening summary. Instead, there is a cold open where Ranma has a nightmare about Tatewaki Kuno.
4
“The Hunter”
This episode’s opening summary emulates 2D fighting games, specifically from the 90s. Dedicated fans will likely connect this opening toRanma 1/2: Hard Battlefor SNES.
5
“Who Says You’re Cute”
This episode opens with the theme song (“Iinazukkyun” by Ano). Unfortunately, there is no opening summary.
6
“Kodachi, The Black Rose”
This episode’s opening summary uses an art style inspired by shadow puppetry. Characters and objects appear as black silhouettes against colorful lit backgrounds.
7
“Hot Competition”
This episode’s opening summary depictsRanma and Ryogaon a rope swing above the Jusenkyo springs. While the narrator explains the curse, the duo gets splashed with cold water.
8
“Darling Charlotte”
This episode’s opening summary depicts Ranma as a magician with the Tendos as audience members.
9
“I’ll Never Let Go”
This episode’s opening summary uses stop-motion animation to create a construction paper art style. For instance, Ranma crumples up and unfolds as he transforms into a girl.
10
“Kiss of Death”
This episode’s opening summary casts Ranma and Akane as shinobi. Akane uses a magic spell to form a rain cloud above Ranma, transforming him into a girl.
Ranma 1/2
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.
