Marry her or else!
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The fourth volume of "Ranma 1/2" ended with Ranma and Akane being menaced by Cologne on a shark's back. And the fifth volume has the old ghoul continuing her efforts to force Ranma to the altar -- along with some interesting new variations on traditional martial arts.
After barely escaping Cologne, Ranma is forced to use his ultimate attack -- cat-fu -- in order to get the Pheonix Pill. Later on, Cologne accidently encounters Ryoga, and offers to train him to defeat Ranma. After Ranma whips Ryoga's butt in front of Akane, Ryoga agrees to be trained by the old woman. Her lesson: the lethal "breaking point" technique, which can shatter a massive boulder with only a touch...
Later, Ranma stops a runaway horse. After accepting some (drugged) tea from the man he rescued, Ranma wakes in a wedding kimono -- turns out that the guy, Sentaro, is the heir of the martial-arts tea-ceremony dynasty. He wants Ranma to defeat his betrothed, so he can get out of marrying her. Ranma isn't sure why Sentaro wants this -- until he finds that "Miss Satsuki" is actually a chimp.
Finally, Akane, Ranma and Shampoo are all signed onto the Miss Martial Arts Takeout Race, with romance or food as the reward. Their goal -- to be the first to take their intact food to the targeted house, and have the occupant eat it. Only it turns out to be Kuno's house. And where better to have a nasty quadruple showdown than in the kendo nut's basement?
The fifth volume of "Ranma 1/2" has solid amounts of what Takahashi does best -- romantic tension, serious fighting, and the weirdest martial arts you can imagine. And plenty of the quirky new character Cologne, who delights in setting up crafty plots to trap Ranma into marriage with her great-granddaughter.
Takahashi also builds on her previous storylines, such as having Ranma newly strong and fast from his endless "chestnuts" training. But it wouldn't be much fun if he didn't have a real challenge -- in this case, the newly dangerous Ryoga. And the scene where the two rivals square off with their newly-acquired skills is wonderfully intense.
But there's no skimping on humour, from Ranma choking down Akane's terrible food ("I can learn to like this slop! I can!") to Sentaro blubbering when he finds out Ranma's true gender. One of the best scenes has poor Ryoga almost getting boiled alive -- again -- and attacking Cologne, only to have her flip him naked onto the floor.
Romantic rivalry and lethal battles make up the fifth volume of "Ranma 1/2," another delightful collection. And remember -- "it will not be you to whom I pledge my love!"
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Shonagh's review
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I've read all the Ranma 1/2 books currently released, and have a 4 DVD set, so I know my Ranma!
Ranma has developed since the first book and the stories get more complicated and thrilling by the book.
This one has a special touch; I especially like the amazingly strange Hinako Ninomiya with her mystical powers and different faces.
I love the way that Ranma returns from his journeys, with Herb, Lime and Mint, and Akane expresses a hint of love for him.
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