Ranma 1/2 (1992)

[らんま1/2]

Volume 21

Author/Artist: Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher: Shounen Sunday Comics

Synopsis:
Genma challenges Ranma to a duel to prove his dominance. Akane makes a special sakura mochi that will foretell her destined mate. Ranma tries his hand at Martial Arts Cheerleading.

Story/Characters:
We get to plumb the depths of Ranma and Genma's dysfunctional father-son relationship. Man, Genma is such a pile of garbage, but he's not without some glimpses of redeeming humanity. I guess that keeps him from being as insufferably one-note as Happousai. The sakura mochi story plays around a bit with the Ranma-Akane-Ryouga triangle. It's not bad but far from the best story about these three. The Martial Arts Cheerleading story is perhaps one of the weakest of the "Martial Arts X" stories. Mariko really isn't compelling as an antagonist at all. Still, it's kinda amusing watching Ranma try and fail to cheer on Kunou for the purpose of the duel.

Art:
If you've got a thing for cheerleaders, the latter part of this volume should make you happy.

Conclusion:
While not terrible, the three stories here aren't among the strongest material in the series. If you're a completionist, you'll read them anyway, but otherwise it's more of a toss-up.

Rating:
50/50