Ranma 1/2, Volume 16

One of Rumiko Takahashi's most memorable characters makes his debut, in the sixteenth volume of "Ranma 1/2": The most bizarre "cursee" yet. Too bad he hates Ranma ("cross-dresser!"), Ryoga ("pig-boy") and all the other people -- and is doing his best to make life difficult for them. First, the Jusenkyo registry book is stolen. Then a mysterious cloaked man has somehow beaten up Mousse, Ryoga and Genma, and left them wrapped in pantyhose. Ryoga can only describe his attacker as "a demon." Eventually the cloaked man attacks Ranma, and Ranma is winning -- until it starts to rain, and the man transforms into a sort of winged minotaur, and flies off with Akane. It turns out that the mystery cursee is trying to hunt down Happosai, for some weird past offenses. Ranma and Ryoga (in girl and pig form) manage to hitch a ride on the flying "demon," to where he's keeping Akane captive. But the mysterious Pantyhose Taro has more than one trick up his sleeve, and five young martial artists may not be enough to stop him... unless Ranma gets crafty. Okay, the book actually starts off with a fluffy throwaway story about Ranma and a panda painting going on a date. But it's almost forgettable beside the excellent Pantyhose Taro story. He's a wonderfully warped character, who manages to singlehandedly irritate every major character in the Ranma series -- as well as actually LIKING his curse. Takahashi actually strikes a perfect balance between action and comedy in this story -- we have taut duels and mid-air battles between the cursed martial artists. Then we have Shampoo's (strategically placed) pantyhose, and the creative insults ("NYLON NAZI! PANTY PRINCESS!") Ranma lobs at Pantyhose Taro. The height of it would be Ranma and "P-chan" playing "Madonna and child." Despite the fact that Pantyhose Taro is an obnoxious git, Takahashi does make you feel sorry for him -- being christened "Pantyhose Taro" by a little underwear sicko would be enough to make anyone nasty. And in a rare occurrance, we see Ranma, Ryoga, Shampoo, Akane and Mousse all working together for a common goal. Though Pantyhose Taro only made three appearances in the "Ranma 1/2" series, he definitely made a mark. Funny, action-packed and hugely entertaining.

The first story deals with a demented Girl-Panda drawing that comes to life and ends up dating Ranma (!)That one is really good for a laugh! The next story is the one that's the most entertaining. You think you know all the characters by now? Well, in Ranma 1/2 vol.16, we get introduced to "Pantyhose" Taro. He is yet another victim of the "Accursed Springs of Jusenkyo", but what he turns into is super bizzare! Let's see if I can get this right: A MONKEY (or Yeti) riding an OX, while carrying an EEL and a CRANE was what drowned in the particular spring Taro was dunked in.(?!) Bizarre! This is an image you have to see for yourself! *On a side note: Happosai not only came up with the name "Pantyhose Taro", but he was the one who accidently dunked Taro into the Spring in the first place; so when Taro sees Happosai, he goes nuts! Anyways, Taro comes in and starts beating up our other unfortunate Jusenkyo visitors: Ryoga, Mousse, Shampoo, Genma and Ranma. I haven't really figured out why yet. So Ranma and the others get into an all-out battle with Taro who shows he's not one to be defeated that easily even when he's fighting Ranma, Shampoo, Mousse, and Ryoga all at once. Like all my other reviews, I don't want give too much away because Ranma 1/2 Vol. 16 is worth getting for your Ranma 1/2 collection.