All Ranma 1/2 fans know that the series is all about entertainment, chaos and plenty of hilarious situations. And now, the latest season is finally here. Ranma 1/2 Season 3 has arrived, and here’s what the first episode looks like.
Here’s our first impression.
The introduction itself gives you the feeling that Ryoga is going to play an important role in this season. Of course, Shampoo is back as well, and so is Kuno “senpai.” And where Shampoo is involved, her great-grandmother is never too far away, with the character returning to the series once again.
You still see Ranma fighting almost everyone for Akane. This time, however, Akane appears to have embraced her more homely side, even being seen cooking in the introduction itself. The song, by the way, is super cool and sets the mood nicely.
The episode begins right away with the family sitting down for a meal. Ranma’s father, who famously takes his panda form, is back as well. His panda persona remains one of the more loved parts of the series, and the chaos begins almost immediately. The father-son fight sets the tone for the season, with Akane stepping in as the perfect buzzkill—which, as always, works perfectly for the anime.
With the summer vacations approaching, somehow this means Kuno “senpai” gets a chance to date Akane. As expected, that inevitably leads to a fight between Kuno and Ranma. And no, there are no prizes for guessing who wins this one.
Ryoga is introduced right after, and his complicated love-hate relationship with Ranma remains as entertaining as ever. His return feels promising, especially considering the role he could play as the season progresses.
Speaking of competition, Shampoo gets her screen time soon after. Her great-grandmother’s return doesn’t exactly leave a lasting impression, but Shampoo’s appearance sets up an interesting connection between the characters and binds their lives together in yet another entertaining way.
The episode ends on a classic Ranma 1/2 note, with Ranma finding himself in trouble not only with Akane but also caught up in a fight he never really asked for.
Since travel is also a theme running through this season, the landscapes in Ranma 1/2 Season 3 Episode 1 do look pretty. However, the series could have done much more with its locations and scenery. There is definitely potential to make the travel element feel more visually exciting in the episodes ahead.
Nonetheless, the first episode has its share of funny moments and delivers the familiar chaos that fans expect from Ranma 1/2. While it is a decent start, we expect the upcoming episodes to offer more, especially when it comes to the characters, the comedy and the locations.
Ranma 1/2 Season 3 Episode 1 is available to stream on Netflix. New episodes will be released weekly on Saturdays.