Ranma 1/2 Video Rating guide!

We borrowed a Ranma 1/2 music video laser disc in April. I thought I would share my thoughts on the videos on it. Unfortunately, I don't know the names of some of the songs since the titles were in Japanese. Here's the rating system:

Track name and rating (out of 5, 5=best)

Music: the quality of the music and singing

Animation: quality of the animation

Message: how well the message comes across

Notes: interesting points, questions, etc.

Track 1: Ranma 1/2 Special Opening: Us after this (4)

Music: Pretty cool. Cute singing.

Animation: Good! I like the part with Ryouga on the hill!

Message: none, really since its an opening theme and doens't need one.

Notes: I always feel like the volume isn't on at the beginning (the shot of the birds) since there's no sound at that point.

Track 2: Ranma 1/2 Special Christmas ending: A pure and honest Christmas (4)

Music: Pretty good.

Animation: Wonderful. Well timed with the music. Cute P-chan at the end!

Message: The main message is "Ranma loves Akane" since the credits show them walking together in the snow. Portrayed well.

Notes: One of my favorites. The spinning boxes are good.

Track 3: In the Midde Class of Elementary School. (3)

Music: Not bad.

Animation: Leaves something to be desired.

Message: Soun and his wife are friends as children. Now that I know that, the video makes much more sense. Sweet.

Notes: Akane's mom looks a lot like Akane so one might end up thinking it was Akane.

Track 4: Red Shoe Sunday: (3)

Music: Good. It gets in your head.

Animation: Pretty good. I like how the pencil drawings change into animation.

Message: I really don't know. I need to learn Japanese.

Notes: I don't know what's happening at the end when there's a picture of Ranma and Akane and somebody is saying "hi-ya!" in the background!

Track 5: Never-ending Summer vacation. (3)

Music: Great!

Animation: The sunflowers look a little fake, but the shot from the train is pretty good. The animators make Nabiki's chest way too big, though.

Message: Something related to having a great summer and not wanting it to end (especailly if one falls in love).

Notes: I don't know why they included a shot of Nabiki in the open-air bath!

Track 6: Liar (1)

Music: Alright, but not great.

Animation: Strange. The shadows make the characters look ghoulish. What's with the fish?

Message: Obviously, somebody feels betrayed by someone else, but I can't tell who.

Notes: Very very strange.

Track 7: A Glittering Sky in Your Voice. (5)

Music: Wow!

Animation: Great. I like how the small characters are in the background when the girls are singing.

Message: I'm not sure. Really doesn't need one.

Notes: What's Ranma-chan looking at near the end when she looks to the side?

Track 8: Only a Little Hill Road. (4)

Music: Very good. Gets in your head.

Animation: Great. The backgrounds are cool. Dancing animals are unforgettable!

Message: Not too sure. What's with the clothes and accessories?

Notes: I like the part with Ranma and Ryouga.

Track 9: Full of Memories. (4)

Music: Great.

Animation: Good. I like how it fades to pencil drawings.

Message: "Ranma loves Akane". Done well.

Notes: The part where the teacher wakes Akane up is good. I don't know what the plane is doing there, though. I like the part where she finds a picture of Ranma in her lunch-box.

Track 10: Love Vanished Once , Regrettably. (3)

Music: Good.

Animation: Water is done very well! Once again, the artists make the breasts on the girls way too big!

Message: I think all the characters are talking about how they feel lonely, like the character in the video. Close to home.

Notes: I think the girl is either a stranger or a generalised character.

Track 11: Complex Second Thoughts: the one where the girls are rock stars. (5)

Music: Awesome! The screaming at the beginning is cute. Interesting outfits! The overhead shots are great.

Animation: Good, except for the shots of the crowd or from behind the singers.

Message: None, really.

Notes: A really fun video.

Track 12: Boyfriend (3)

Music: Good.

Animation: Very good.

Message: I think its about Kasumi and some of the events of her life (something to do with a boyfriend).

Notes: I can't tell whether the girl at the bus stop is Akane or Kasumi (it should be Kasumi to make sense). I don't know who the guy is, though. Why doesn't he get off the bus to meet her? There is a nice contrast when Akane shares her supper with her Dad while Ranma and his Dad are fighting over theirs.

Track 13: Love Panic! (5)

Music: Awesome! A new style of video.

Animation: Wonderful.

Message: "Ranma loves Akane but is having problems with his fiancees". Well done.

Notes: Very funny when everybody gangs up on ranma and knocks him into the lake.

Track 14: Ballad of Ranma and Akane (5)That's where the background came from!

Music: Wow! The only part that seems a little out of place is the phrase "stuff like that".

Animation: Great. The shot of Mousse, Ryouga, and Kuno looks kind of strange and doesn't fit the mood.

Message: "Ranma loves Akane but they're both shy". Well done.

Notes: One of the best. The end is a little melodramatic, though.

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