The Ranma ½ reboot is finally on Netflix, and a new generation of fans is getting a glimpse of the wacky love triangles that are the signature of one of Rumiko Takahashi’s most beloved works.
The first season is expected to have 12 episodes, and though every suitor for Ranma isn’t expected to show up, here’s a list of suitors who will be fighting for Ranma’s (both boy and girl) affection—literally.
Tatewaki Kuno
Kuno-senpai is the first suitor to be presented in the show. Originally in love with Akane Tendo, Kuno declared Ranma his romantic rival and frequently tussled with him on campus. After one fight leads Kuno and Ranma into a pool though, Kuno sets eyes on girl Ranma and becomes head-over-heels.
While not a frequent threat, Kuno is always on the lookout for “the Pigtailed Girl” and is always ready to throw some romantic poetry her way. Despite his love for girl Ranma, Kuno is also pretty much in love with Akane and still hits on her when girl Ranma isn’t around.
Kodachi Kuno
Kuno’s younger sister who is an expert in gymnastic martial arts (anything can be martial arts in this series) is a lot less noble than her brother and will do anything it takes to win. When Akane challenges her to a match, Kodachi sneaks into the Tendo household to hurt Akane so she can’t compete. Luckily Akane was able to fight her off.
During Kodachi’s escape though, she falls off the roof and boy Ranma saves her, triggering her feelings for him. Realistically, Kodachi has no real reason for falling in love with Ranma, but the series' ‘80s logic boils it down to her not being exposed to too many boys, and Kodachi just being downright crazy.
Shampoo /Xian Pu
One of the ‘main’ fiancées of Ranma in the series, Xian Pu/Shampoo is a member of warrior women called Joketsuzoku (or Chinese Amazons in the English translation). Having eaten all the women’s food with Genma, girl Ranma is challenged by Shampoo to fight, in which Ranma beats her; but according to their tradition, Shampoo must now kill girl Ranma.
Chasing Genma and Ranma to Japan, Shampoo discovers that Ranma is a male, and going by their tradition, she now has to marry him. Too bad for Shampoo though, because Ranma (any form) is deathly afraid of what she turns into when Shampoo gets hit with cold water.
Mikado Sanzenin
Probably the least occurring of Ranma’s suitors, Mikado is one half of the Golden Pair and is an expert at martial arts figure skating. Incredibly vain and narcissistic, Mikado is convinced that any woman is lucky to have him, and he is the first boy to actually force himself on girl Ranma.
Akane Tendo
The main heroine of the series, Akane is the only other character in the show who has as many suitors as Ranma. A tomboy at heart, Akane starts the series off hating all men, but her standards are suddenly put through the wringer with Ranma, who is only “half” a guy.
The entirety of Ranma 1/2 essentially pits different suitors at Ranma and Akane, forcing both of them to acknowledge that they actually like each other.