ranma

Name: Ranma Saotome

Age: 16

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Black in male form and red in female form

Clothing: He can usually be found wearing either his long sleeved red chinese shirt or his short sleeved chinese shirt. His pants are almost always black.

Profile: Ranma Saotome is the son of Genma and Nodoka Saotome and, obviously, the main character in the series (hence the name, Ranma 1/2).

Ranma was taken from his home at an early age by his father, and journeyed with him on a decade-long training trip to perfect his martial arts. Along the way, he encountered many things, and many people, much of which is later revealed as the series moves on.

When Ranma neared the end of this training trip, Genma took him to a training ground in China named Jusenkyo. This place, however, was a training ground that no one used anymore because each of the springs that were there were cursed, and falling into them would turn you into whatever drowned there and cursed the spring before. Not knowing this, Genma led Ranma to the ground and attempted to train with him atop the dangerous bamboo poles which jutted up out of the pools. When Ranma knocked Genma into Shonmaoniichuan, or the Spring of Drowned Panda, Ranma was surprised to find that instead of his father, a panda climbed out of the pool and prepared to fight Ranma. As a result Genma, now cursed, was able to hit Ranma into another of the cursed pools. Ranma was knocked into Nyannichuan, or the Spring of Drowned Girl. Thus he turns into a girl with cold water, only reversible through hot water.

This curse couldn't have come at a worse time, because Genma had made a certain arrangement with his old friend Soun Tendo. The arrangement was that Ranma would marry one of Soun's daughters, and carry on the Anything-Goes school of Martial Arts. Being now essentially a half-man, Ranma was put in a very uncomfortable position.

Fortunately, Soun didn't seem to mind too much, and engaged Ranma to his youngest daughter Akane. Though truly unwilling to be engaged to Akane at first, Ranma, despite all the remarks he says to her, is actually developing feelings for the short-haired girl. Though he won't actually admit it out loud, he really cares for Akane and would not want to see her hurt or separated from him.

Ranma and Genma moved into the Tendo dojo, and ever since, things have have never quite been the same in Nerima. Ranma has endured, among other things, Amazons, old rivals, Dojo destroyers, and even evil demons. Ranma's ability to change hasn't helped this situation much, as there have been people, like Kuno who chase after Ranma's girl-form, as well as those like Shampoo, who are after him in his male form...either way, it's double the trouble for our pigtailed martial artist, and Ranma has tried to deal with the action as best as he can.

All in all, whether male or female, Ranma gets into a lot of predicaments. It is his hope that one day he can find a cure for his curse (and maybe get along with Akane for once).

Personality: Ranma has a lot of pride in his martial arts ability, to the point of overconfidence at times. He does, though have some room to justify this. Though he isn't quite that intelligent in other matters, Ranma is incredibly adept at learning from his mistakes in a fight and fixing them the next time around. He possesses a great blend of the Chinese and Japanese styles of martial arts that is almost impossible to beat. Ranma is quick to prove himself, and will not back down from any type of fight, even if he is in danger of losing.

One thing that Ranma is definitely NOT good at, however is matters of the heart. He fumbles along with trying to express his feelings for Akane, but can't seem to get the words out. It comes out usually as an insult or a derogatory comment. Of course, Akane isn't the best conveyer of feelings herself, and Ranma's brash attitude and biting insults do not help this situation. At times, though, Ranma has shown that he too can be a nice guy, and despite first impressions that he's a little egotistical, he is nevertheless trying his best to deal with the situation he's been put in.

Style: Anything-Goes Martial Arts (Saotome school)

Strengths: It seems that Ranma is an adaptive martial artist; that is, he learns from his mistakes very well. I do not think I have seen Ranma get defeated twice in a row. He always finds a way to get around someone's
defense or technique. Of course, Ranma possesses a very high skill level as well, and can learn things literally overnight. Possessing a blend of the Japanese style, and a little of the Chinese, Ranma is a very formidable foe. A quick thinker in battle, Ranma (at full strength) is more apt to beat you with battle savviness rather than raw power.

Weaknesses: If Ranma has one weakness, it's his ego. Ranma's a proud guy, and obviously thinks he can beat anyone. This has been taken advantage by many a new opponent. Ranma also has a horrible fear of cats, instilled in him when he was young by his father Genma, who tried to train him once by repeatedly throwing him into a pit of hungry cats. This weak spot may become a strength for Ranma, because he learned the near-invincible cat-fist in the process (see below). Ranma's girl-form is weaker than his male form, but his girl-form is faster. Ranma also tends to hold back against female opponents, hesitating to use full strength on them.

Special Techniques:

Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken (Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire Punch): This is a technique taught to Ranma by Cologne. The move involves punching so quickly that one could grab chestnuts from an open fire without gettting burned. Obviously, that's pretty darn fast.

Moko Takabisha (Fierce Tiger Ball): Ranma invented this technique himself as a countermeasure to Ryouga's Shishi Hokoudan technique. Ranma draws upon his confidence and determination, and releases it in the form of a ball of chi energy.

Hiryu Shoten Ha (Rising Dragon Hurricane): Ranma learned this from Cologne as well. This powerful technique of Ranma's takes an opponent's heated anger, and Ranma's cool calmness and brings the two forces together. The resultng opposite tension creates a twister of energy/wind which hits the opponent.

Saotome Secret Technique (Fast Break): Not much to this one. Ranma faces away from his opponent and runs away to buy himself time to think on how to defeat a suppposedly invincible opponent.

Neko Ken (Cat Fist): Ranma employs this technique automatically when his fear of cats peaks. Ranma suppresses his fear of cats by acting like one (he remembers none of what happens in this state). In this state, he is near invincible.

Dual Jet Stream Raging Waters Attack (Anime Only): See entry for Akane Tendo.

Ranma/Akane Hiryu Shoten Ha Revised Attack (Anime Only): See entry for Akane Tendo.

Saotome School Final Attack - Man Muss Project (Anime Only): Ranma used this to trick and weaken Happosai one time. He had Akane replace the old pervert's stolen panties with unwashed men's undergarments and sportswear.

Saotome Shooting Star Kick: Ranma flies forward, channeling his chi into a deadly jump kick. He used this against Tarou (enhancing the move with the elasticity of several of Tarou's signature pantyhoses) to weaken his gigantic cursed form.

Shishkabob: An vicious upward kick meant to hit an opponent like a sharp stick going through pieces of meat and vegetables. Ranma used this to counter one of Mousse's attacks.

Umi-sen-ken Techniques: One-half of a series of techiques created by Genma, the techniques are designed to emulate a quiet thief's moves. These techniques involve trickery and fast movement. Ranma learned these to counter Ryuu Kumon, who possessed the other half of the techniques.

Coconut Crush (Anime Only): Ranma used this technique to prevent his hair from being cut by the Principal. Tied up with his hands being unable to move, Rnama does a vicious swinging kick which smashes the opponent against the nearest object.

Tea Spoon (Chashaku) Darts: Part of the techniques of Martial Arts Tea ceremony that Ranma learned, this technique involves throwing tea spoons out like shuriken, or throwing stars.

Tea Kettle Counter-Strike: Part of the techniques of Martial Arts Tea ceremony, this technique involves counter an opponents' tea kettle strike with one of your own.

Ladle Strike: Part of the techniques of Martial Arts Tea ceremony, this technique involves hitting an opponent with a ladle used for spooning water for tea.

Double Decker Pot Strike: Part of the techniques of Martial Arts Tea ceremony, this technique builds on the conventional Kettle Strike, using two tea kettles instead of one to strike the enemy.

Gourmet de Fois Gras: A sub-technique of the school of Martial Arts Eating which was used by a member of the Chardins who did not have a huge mouth like his relatives. Instead of racing to eat the food himself, the user puts his or her own food into the opponent's mouth without knowing it, while at the same time still devouring their own food minimally, in order to win the match. Ranma used this technique in his match against Picolette Chardin II.

Hiryu Kourin Dan: A revisal and variation of the Hiryu Shoten Ha technique, Ranma uses this as a way to counter Herb's knowledge of the Hiryu Shoten Ha technique, which Herb turned on Ranma and countered, sending Ranma into the air with a Hiryu Shoten Ha of his own. Ranma channeled the energy of Herb's counter-Hiryu Shoten Ha into one huge chi ball of energy, which he fires downward at Herb as he spirals downward through the chi tornado.

Saotome Desperation Strike 1 - Fox-Fu: Part of the Saotome Desperation Attack series, which relies on cheap trickery and lying to win, this particular strike involves Ranma pointing behind his opponent and saying "Look, behind you!". When the opponent looks away, Ranma strikes from behind like a hunting fox.

Saotome Desperation Strike 2 - Feline Fu: This part of the Saotome Desperation Attack series involves Ranma pointing to the ground and saying "Look! A hundred yen coin!". When the opponent looks down, Ranma attacks from above lke a Tiger catching its prey with its claws.

Saotome Desperation Strike 3 - Flat-Frog Fu: The "ultimate" part of the Desperation Attack series, in which the user begs and cries on his hands and knees for forgiveness until the opponent drops his or her guard. The attacker then strikes while his or her opponent is overcome with sympathy for them and defenseless like a frog that was run over by a vehicle.