Ranma 1/2 – Season 1 Episode 7 Recap & Review

Hot Competition

Episode 7 of Ranma 1/2 begins with Ryoga helping Ranma practice for the martial arts rhythmic gymnastics event. Ranma is in his female form. Akane heads to bed and wonders what happened to P-chan. Remember, P-chan is Ryoga but Akane doesn’t know that. Meanwhile, Ryoga reminds Ranma what’s at stake if he loses against Kodachi. 

Ryoga wants Ranma to lose tomorrow’s match so he can get closer to Akane. Ranma understands but tells Ryoga he doesn’t plan to fail. Ryoga and Ranma fight all night. Akane wakes up. She notices Ryoga and Ranma are still fighting. Ranma and Akane meet up with Kodachi at the event’s site.  

Akane tells Kodachi Ranma will fill in for her. Remember, Kodachi doesn’t know that Female Ranma is Male Ranma. Meanwhile, Ryoga arrives at the event’s site. He plans to sabotage Ranma’s match. Two girls accidentally splash Ryoga with water, turning him into a pig. 

At the same time, Kodachi notices several girls nearby. The girls are discussing Ryoga. Kodachi argues Ryoga will help her defeat Ranma. Some time passes. Kodachi and Ranma head to the ring. Tatewaki is in the crowds. The referee introduces Kodachi and Ranma to the audience. 

The audience doesn’t know why Female Ranma used Male Ranma’s name. Seconds later, the crowd, Kodachi, and Tatewaki accept Female Ranma’s decision. Before they begin, Kodachi binds Ranma and Ryoga together with a metal chain. Ranma’s not amused. Then, Ichiro explains the rules.

Ranma and Kodachi’s match begins. Kodachi uses items during her match with Ranma. Akane calls her out for cheating but the referee allows it. Ranma uses Ryoga to harm Kodachi. She tells Kodachi that she will prevent Kodachi from dating Ranma. Kodachi interrogates Ranma and their match continues. 

Genma arrives at the venue. He brought a canister of hot water with him. Kodachi grabs the canister with her ribbon. Ranma’s worried because she doesn’t want to turn into a guy in front of everyone. Kodachi splashes the hot water on Ranma and Ryoga. However, Genma and Akane splash the two with cold water so they can maintain their current forms. 

Ranma returns to the ring and hurls Kodachi. Kodachi blows a whistle and the ring moves. She lands in the ring. Ranma destroys most of the ring. We learn the ring can move thanks to Kodachi’s classmates. Kodachi’s classmates depart. 

With the ring destroyed, Ranma and Kodachi must maintain their balance on the ring’s corner posts. After numerous tricks and stunts ensue, Ranma defeats Kodachi. Kodachi admits defeat but refuses to abandon her love for Male Ranma. 

The episode ends with Female Ranma reacting to Kodachi’s resolve. 

The Episode Review

This episode was chaotic from beginning to end. It’s best to go into this chapter with your brain turned off. From hurling furniture at each other to exceptional acrobatic tactics, seeing Kodachi and Ranma perform at their best was worth it. 

Kodachi aside, Ranma may have to keep a close eye on Ryoga. Otherwise, Ryoga may sweep Akane off her feet before Ranma can. Ranma hasn’t taken a firm stance on his connection with Akane yet. However, these past chapters hint at a romance between Ranma and Akane. 

Hopefully, future episodes can give viewers more intimate scenes between the two now that this competition’s over. Yet, knowing Rumiko Takahashi, fans should buckle up and prepare for new characters to arrive and cause problems. 

But all in all, Ranma 1/2’s remake continues to please. I’m excited to see what other quarrels will arise soon!