Ranma ½ stands as a cornerstone of martial arts romantic comedy, a vibrant tapestry woven with absurd curses, gender-bending chaos, and an ever-expanding cast of eccentric characters. As the original anime transitioned from its initial 18 episodes into the long-running Ranma ½ Nettōhen, episodes 20 and 21 deliver pivotal developments, deepening Ranma’s already complicated life and introducing formidable new forces. These episodes are not just standalone narratives; they are crucial building blocks that expand the lore of Jusenkyo’s curses and the roster of Ranma Saotome’s rivals and mentors.
Episode 20: “You Really Do Hate Cats!” (やっぱり猫が嫌い？ – Yappari Neko ga Kirai?)
This episode plunges deep into one of Ranma Saotome’s most debilitating and comedic weaknesses: his extreme ailurophobia, or fear of cats. While Ranma’s Jusenkyo curse (turning into a girl with cold water, boy with hot water) is well-known, his “Cat Fu” phobia is a lesser-seen but equally potent affliction.
Ranma’s Feline Fright and Kuno’s Machinations
The catalyst for this episode’s chaos is Tatewaki Kuno, Ranma’s pompous and often misguided rival. Kuno, ever eager to gain an advantage over Ranma, learns from his manservant Sasuke Sarugakure about Ranma’s intense fear of cats. Believing this to be Ranma’s ultimate weakness, Kuno devises a scheme to exploit it. He orchestrates situations where Ranma is continuously surrounded by cats, pushing Ranma to the brink.
The Terrifying Power of Cat Fu
As the feline onslaught continues, Ranma’s fear escalates beyond mere discomfort. He eventually loses control, succumbing to a psychological break that transforms him into a highly aggressive, cat-like martial artist. This state is known as “Cat Fu” (Neko-ken). In this frenzied condition, Ranma exhibits enhanced speed, agility, and ferocity, mimicking a cat’s movements and fighting style. While incredibly powerful, this technique is uncontrollable and dangerous, as Ranma attacks indiscriminately, treating friend and foe alike as threats. The comedic element often comes from the stark contrast between Ranma’s normal cocky demeanor and his utterly terrified, then feral, Cat Fu state.
This episode highlights the severe psychological impact of Ranma’s past traumatic training, where his father, Genma, once threw him into a pit of cats to teach him Cat Fu, inadvertently instilling a deep and lasting phobia.
Episode 21: “This Ol’ Gal’s the Leader of the Amazon Tribe!” (私が女傑族のおばば! – Watashi ga Joketsuzoku no Obaba!)
Following the previous episode’s revelation of Ranma’s cat phobia, Episode 21 immediately introduces an even more complex layer to Ranma’s cursed existence and love life with the arrival of Shampoo’s formidable great-grandmother, Cologne. This episode is also notable for officially marking the transition into the Ranma ½ Nettōhen series, as it was the third episode of that run, though often numbered differently in various releases.
The Arrival of Cologne, Amazonian Elder
Cologne is introduced as the incredibly ancient and powerful matriarch of the Chinese Amazon tribe, a master of martial arts and arcane techniques. She arrives in Nerima, primarily to oversee Shampoo’s tumultuous pursuit of Ranma and to enforce Amazonian customs, which dictate that if Shampoo is defeated by a male, she must either marry him or kill him. Having been defeated by male Ranma, Shampoo is determined to make him her husband.
Shampoo’s Curse and Ranma’s New Affliction
During a chaotic bath scene, it is revealed that Shampoo, too, is a victim of a Jusenkyo curse. When splashed with cold water, she transforms into a small, purple cat. Only hot water can return her to her human form. This revelation further intertwines the fate of Ranma and Shampoo.
However, the episode’s major development is Cologne’s direct intervention in Ranma’s life. To test Ranma’s worthiness or perhaps to “motivate” him, Cologne places a new curse on him: the “Full Body Cat’s Tongue” (Hissatsu Tenshin Amaguriken). This curse prevents Ranma from reverting to his male form, trapping him permanently in his female body unless he masters a specific martial arts technique: the “Hissatsu Tenshin Amaguriken” (Chestnut Bun Fist of Heaven).
The Challenge of the Phoenix Pill
To break this curse and regain his male form, Ranma must obtain the “Phoenix Pill” from Cologne, which she will only grant if he successfully learns and performs the “Hissatsu Tenshin Amaguriken” technique in his female form. This sets up a new training arc and another layer of hilarious frustration for Ranma, who despises being stuck as a girl and now faces an even more direct challenge from Cologne’s formidable wisdom and power.
Expanding the Ranma ½ Universe
These two episodes are critical for Ranma ½ as they significantly broaden the scope of its world. Episode 20 delves into Ranma’s personal psychological fears, adding a layer of vulnerability and introducing a chaotic fighting style. Episode 21, on the other hand, introduces Cologne, a character who becomes a recurring mentor, antagonist, and source of both wisdom and mischief. Her presence deepens the mythology of the Jusenkyo curses and provides Shampoo with a powerful ally and strategic guidance in her relentless pursuit of Ranma. Together, these episodes solidify the series’ blend of martial arts action, comedic misunderstandings, and ever-evolving romantic entanglements.
