Ranma ½ - Random Rhapsody, Vol. 4:
The Demon from Jusenkyo (2001)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Directed by Junji Nishimura
Written by Trish Ledoux and Terry Klassen, based upon the manga by Rumiko Takahashi
Cinematography by Mitsunobu Yoshida
Produced by Fuji TV and Kitty Film

Dindrane's Anime Warnings:

• Happosai running rampant
• More cursed springs than you can shake a stick at
• Gratuitously soaked Ranma-chan

Rating: 13+

Anamorphic: N/A

My Advice: Pick this one up today.

The Demon from Jusenkyo presents three new hysterical episodes in the Ranma universe. The first two episodes are a set, introducing a mysterious new character, who hunts down people who have been to the springs of Jusenkyo, including Ranma and company. This stranger’s alternate form is a weird and powerful combination that makes him almost monstrous, and Ranma is left to determine what this mysterious enemy wants when he captures Akane and challenges Happosai. Next, Sentaro, the master of the Martial Arts Tea Ceremony, is back and needs help once again. This time, his grandmother has been kidnapped, and Sentaro needs help to rescue her, so of course he needs Akane and Ranma to assist.

This set of episodes is rather important in the Ranma universe--or at least the first two episodes are--together creating the introduction of Pantyhose Taro, one of the most beloved series villains. It is a nice touch that Happosai, who baptized him, is the only one who can change that humiliating name, and of course Happosai, the old lecher, loves the undergarment name and refuses. Taro and Akane have some rather nice moments together when he has kidnapped her, and when Ranma comes to the inevitable rescue, he, too, gets some good dialogue with Akane. The Sentaro episode is also rather funny, and it is always good to check back in with fun characters from earlier episodes, especially when they are such good foils for Ranma’s cleverness and Akane’s compassion mixed with disdain.

The extras are non-existent, but I’ve already spent time in other reviews wondering why a series as beloved and venerable as this one does not get a better treatment. Luckily, Takahashi’s work is so entertaining that the quality of the show itself makes up for the lack of added features. I do have to say that the case of this one was nicely designed. The cover shows Taro in human form, overshadowed by his demon/Jusenkyo form, looking a bit like a winged minotaur. It’s very green and very attractive, as well as successfully indicative of what viewers will see on the disc itself.

The audio and video quality on this disc are comparable to the earlier discs in this series. The colors are bright and saturated, with beautiful characters and backgrounds alike. The voices are skilled and experienced and add a further dimension to these people’s personalities. The dub here is an example of how good dubs can truly be, and even if some of the translations are a little shady, the heart of the meaning is never lost--just some of the Japanese colloquialisms are changed to mean more to a Western audience.

All in all, Ranma ½ doesn’t get too much better than this disc: imaginative, fun, amusing, and colorful, all without sacrificing the personalities of the main characters or coherent plot. Yes, it’s a little bit silly in places, but that’s honestly part of it’s charm; it’s also irreverent, lovely to look at, and just plain good storytelling.