Ranma 1/2 - Random Rhapsody, Vol. 6:
Pandamonium (2001)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written by Trish Ledoux and Terry Klassen, based upon the manga by Rumiko Takahashi
Directed by Junji Nishimura
Character Design by Atsuko Nakajima
Cinematography by Mitsunobu Yoshida

Features:

• English and Japanese audio
  
• English subtitles
  

Dindrane's Anime Warnings:

• Two Kunos!
• Panda running amok
• Attack Octopus Pot

Rating: 13+

Anamorphic: N/A; appears in its original 1.33:1 format.

My Advice: Fans of Ranma should get this one today.

Another three hilarious and quirky Ranma 1/2 episodes are here to make us laugh. First, we have “Curse of the Scribbled Panda,” wherein Ranma and gang attend a carnival-type festival. While there, they go to see an exhibit of cursed Chinese scrolls, and Genma and Ranma accidentally free the demons trapped on the pages--including a scribbled panda demon that seems to have designs on Ranma. Next, “Legend of the Lucky Panda” has Genma off by himself training when he falls from a cliff and drifts into a mysterious feudal village with doubles of everyone he knows. Declared the “lucky panda” by the local Akane look-alike, Genma has to try to fix all of the village’s problems, like the way the Akane look-alike and the Ranma look-alike are resisting their engagement. Finally, in “Mystery of the Marauding Octopus Pot,” Soun, Ranma, and Genma are summoned to a nearby town to investigate a mysterious, demonic octopus pot that is stealing food all over town. When the demon begins stealing underwear, as well, the martial artists think they may have figured out who is hiding in the pot.

These three episodes are wonderful for the way they allow Soun and Genma to shine. While Ranma, Akane, and the other main characters show up to a satisfactory extent, it is always nice to see the secondary characters step up and get some fine action with good dialogue. On this disc, it is the turn of the fathers and, to a lesser extent, Happosai. Maybe soon, we’ll get more Ryoga and/or Mousse episodes. It’s been a while since either of those boys really got in the spotlight.

The audio and video quality are both quite solid. The colors are saturated and crisp, with minimal cross-coloration or other problems. Both the Japanese and the English voice casts know what they’re doing and know their characters well enough to allow these characters to come alive. Viewers new to this series who have missed the back-story will still have a feeling for what these people are like.

All in all, Pandamonium is another must-have for fans of this title, especially for fans of the fathers, Soun and Genma. These episodes are as funny as could be, and Takahashi’s work is always a pleasure simply to look at. The quality of the disc is very high and, aside from the lack of extras, should please all fans. If you like comedy, wild tales, and just plain fun, then you’ll enjoy this disc.