This series is certainly a mixed bag, with a mixed bag of fans. On the Japanese side, the anime was a mild success. Canceled right after the first season, and then somehow renewed again for the second, and lasting for five more years, 12 direct-to-tape episodes, and three theatrical releases. The comic, as opposed to the anime, was a runaway hit!

On American shores, it's the undisputed #1 hit of all imported anime, and seems to be remaining that way for the foreseable future.

Overall, on either side of the globe, the series remains a mixed bag. The original comic book artist, a fantastic, and religious woman named Takahasi Rumiko, was made rather famous by the one-million copy seller of the comic. When it was made into an anime, she had some directorial power over the first season. After the low ratings, and the show was cancelled, the series took a drastic step away from the slow-moving romance and comedy, and took a sharp turn towards WACKY comedy and slapstick.

Therefore, many fans like the original 13 episodes of the first season FAR more than the remaining series - and I know one guy who just has that original season on tape, none of the others.

Comedy-wise, it IS hilarious, and pulls out all the stops to get a laugh. For the first season, there is a LOT more nudity done for humour purposes than the remainder of the series, and the 12 OVA/Direct-to-tape episodes certainly lend a DIFFERENT quality to the series (That episode about the spirit doll and Akane is positively WEIRD, quite a stark contrast from the comedic moments otherwise) And the finale two movies are in a class all by themselves as far as anime is concerned.

Watch it, you might just laugh for about the first episode only, but unless your devoid of a sense of humor, it'll make you laugh at LEAST once.

Note: A few of the pictures here are scans of the original Japanese animation cells used to film thr series, and they're valued at $200 to $400 each!

(Also, anybody who knows me will know that I just had to put the picture of Ranma-chan in seifuku on here!!! That picture, no matter how small or maybe even blurry it may be, HAS to be part of the colection. :P)