Ranma ½ (2024) [Season 2 Episode 12]

Ranma ½ (2024) Season 2 Episode 12: A Nostalgic Romp That’s More Comedy Than Ecchi

If you grew up with the 1989 Ranma ½ anime or devoured Rumiko Takahashi’s iconic manga, the 2024 reboot’s second season has been a love letter to nostalgia—even if it’s sparking some head-scratching debates among fans. Episode 12, the latest installment of this gender-bending martial arts comedy, dives back into the chaotic world of Ranma Saotome, the teen martial artist cursed to turn into a girl when splashed with cold water, and his equally chaotic crew of rivals, suitors, and panda-dad Genma. But while the episode delivers the slapstick humor and romantic entanglements we know and love, it’s also reigniting a long-standing question: Is Ranma ½ really “ecchi”?

First, let’s set the scene. The 2024 reboot, which premiered to fanfare in 2024 and greenlit Season 2 in late December of that year, stays true to Takahashi’s original vision: a zany mix of over-the-top fights (think: “martial arts tea ceremony” or “rhythmic gymnastics battles”) and romantic chaos (Ranma’s engaged to Akane Tendo, but don’t tell Shampoo, Ukyo, or Ryoga). Episode 12, like most of the series, leans into these tropes—expect Ranma to switch genders mid-fight, Akane to punch him for being a pervert, and Genma to laze around as a panda (because why not?). The animation is crisp, updating the 1989 art style for modern audiences without losing its retro charm, and the voice acting (still featuring some original cast members, depending on the region) nails the characters’ quirky personalities.

But here’s where the fan chatter gets loud: the “ecchi” tag. Scroll through MyAnimeList forums, and you’ll find a heated debate about whether this reboot deserves the label. One user sums it up bluntly: “I noticed this show has the ecchi tag. While there has been a small bit of fanservice here and there, it hasn’t been anything that would render it as ecchi in my eyes.” Another chimes in, “The ecchi tag was carried over from the manga,” referencing the original’s occasional nudity—think characters bathing or changing, with nipples visible in the 1989 anime and manga. But the 2024 reboot? It’s cleaned things up. As one fan points out, “They removed the nipples this time”—a nod to stricter Japanese TV censorship rules that ban explicit nudity on certain channels.

So why the tag? Longtime fans argue that Ranma ½ is a “pioneer of ecchi” in the West, where 1990s viewers saw cartoon nudity for the first time and labeled it as such. “Back then, ecchi was nowhere near what we have today,” a forum user explains. “Nowadays it’s almost soft porn, but Ranma’s nudity was never sexual—it’s just characters bathing or getting splashed.” Others joke that Shampoo, the Chinese Amazon who chases Ranma, “invented the tag,” but most agree: the reboot’s “ecchi” label is a misnomer. There’s no sexual tension, no provocative camera angles—just goofy nudity played for laughs, like Ranma accidentally walking in on Akane (and getting punched for it) or Ryoga tripping into a bathhouse.

That’s not to say the episode is without flaws. Some fans miss the original’s raunchier edge—the 1989 anime had nipples, after all—but the reboot’s family-friendly take makes it accessible to a new generation. And let’s be real: the heart of Ranma ½ was never about titillation. It’s about comedy. Episode 12’s funniest moments come from the absurdity of it all: Ranma (as a girl) beating a rival in a “martial arts water balloon fight,” Genma stealing food as a panda, and Akane’s deadpan reactions to the chaos. The romantic subplots are still there—Ranma and Akane’s will-they-won’t-they banter is as endearing as ever—but they’re secondary to the slapstick.

Another hot topic? The lack of a Blu-ray announcement. As one fan notes, “We’re 11 episodes in, and there’s no BD release up for pre-order in Japan.” For die-hard collectors, this is a bummer—especially since the original anime had uncut OVAs. But does it matter? Probably not for casual viewers, who are just happy to have new Ranma content. The reboot’s strength lies in its ability to balance nostalgia with modernity: it’s the same show you loved as a kid, but with better animation and fewer “wait, why is that character naked?” moments.

So, is Episode 12 worth watching? Absolutely—if you’re a fan of the original, or just love silly, feel-good anime. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s fun. And as for the ecchi debate? Let’s call it what it is: a relic of the past. Ranma ½ (2024) is a comedy first, a rom-com second, and an ecchi… well, barely. As one fan puts it, “Takahashi always intended it to be a comedy, and it wasn’t necessarily meant to be arousing.” So sit back, grab some tea (and maybe a towel to avoid cold water), and enjoy the ride.

Final Verdict: 7/10. A nostalgic, laugh-out-loud episode that stays true to the source material—even if the “ecchi” tag is a head-scratcher. Perfect for fans old and new.

P.S. If you’re new to Ranma ½, start with Season 1—you’ll thank us later.