Ranma 1/2 (1995)

[らんま1/2]

Volume 35

Author/Artist: Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher: Shounen Sunday Comics

Synopsis:
An enchanted mirror makes a copy of Ranma's female side. Ranma wrestles with Nabiki's latest attempt to blackmail him. A vengeful kunoichi targets Ranma for the destruction of her family's teahouse. Ranma and Akane attend a Tanabata festival.

Story/Characters:
The mirror story is fairly amusing. There was a similar filler episode in the anime years before this story. The Nabiki one-shot is nothing special. If you're a Nabiki fan, you might like it, though. The main feature of this volume is Konatsu's introduction. I really don't like Konatsu that much, so this pseudo Cinderella story doesn't do much for me. It's not all that bad, but I'm not much of a fan. The Tanabata one-shot is fairly cute.

Art:
The overall art quality continues as you'd expect. The mirror story gives us a look at onna-Ranma we wouldn't get otherwise. Konatsu's wicked stepmother and stepsisters are quite horrific, but in the exchange we get Ukyou in a bunny girl outfit, which is an even trade in my book.

Conclusion:
Perhaps if I was more of a fan of Konatsu, I'd rate this volume higher, but while the mirror story is fairly good and the Tanabata one-shot is cute, the overall package isn't strong enough to rate as a must-read. If you're already a fan, you'll keep going, but this volume isn't one that will make any new believers.

Rating:
50/50