Ranma 1/2 Movie 2: Nihao, My Concubine Review by aznwolfe
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Akane
Audience: 16+
Genre: Comedy/Romance/Martial Arts
Contains: Animated Violence, Brief Nudity, Mild Language
Music: B
Animation: B+
Plot/Storyline: B
Rating: B+

It's summer-time and crazy kooky things are in store for Ranma and gang. (For background info, check out Ranma 1/2 review). Ranma and his friends (including Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi, Ukyo, Ryoga, Kuno, Shampoo, Mousse, and more) are out boating on Kuno's yacht. A storm hits them and they all end up stranded on a deserted island. While Akane is fixing up the yacht, everyone else decides to make the best of things and take it easy. (Beware of perverted scenes concerning Happosai -the perverted old raisin man- in the beginning).

But soon strange things start to happen. (Of course this is to be expected, otherwise it would be a very dull movie). One by one, all the girls in the gang disappear with no clue to their whereabouts except for a sole peach left behind in the girl's place. Soon all the girls are gone except for the tomboyish yet not-so-tomboyish Akane Tendo. Ranma and gang set out a trap to find out who or what is behind these strange disappearances. The trap is foiled and Akane is taken away. But now Ranma finally knows the reason behind the mysterious disappearances. All girls from their island and other nearby islands were kidnapped to become contestants as brides to Toma, the Prince of Illusion. Ranma and the rest of the guys must find a way to save Akane and the girls, but how?!

Sure, it's the usual "guy-saves-girl" movie with a bunch of extra stuff added in, but it is still quite good. Like the other Ranma 1/2 videos, it is fun to watch. Highly comical and excellently dubbed, "Nihao, My Concubine" is very entertaining with the usual romance and martial arts thrown in. Note that Ranma 1/2 is aimed for those 16 years and older. Because of the ocassional perversity, it is not fit for younger viewers.

 Image not created by me. Sept 99. Available Viz, Entertainment