November Anime of the Month (AOTM)

Ranma 1/2

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Slice of Life

Episodes: 161 (Finished airing)

One of the most nostalgic classics from the '90s would have to be Ranma 1/2. I never realised it was once cancelled for poor ratings in the beginning, since I absolutely loved it as a kid, but I watched this in the Cantonese dub. I've never watched it in Japanese just because I'm so used to watching it in Chinese, just like Rurouni Kenshin hahaha.

Anyway, the story follows our main character Ranma who went to some cursed springs in China with his father for some martial arts training and ended up falling into one of them that turned him into a girl! From then on, whenever he is splashed with cold water, he turns into a girl but he changes back into a boy by splashing himself with hot water. As he returns to Japan, he starts to live with the Tendou family as a fiance of Akane's although they are both rather reluctant to be tied for marriage. And that's all you really need to know about this anime hahaha. It's a comedy so there's not much actual plot besides the budding romance with Akane and the other girls/fiancee candidates that chase after Ranma as he tries to find a way to change himself back to being a guy completely. Many people love Ukyo and Shampoo but I've always loved Ranma and Akane because of how annoying they can be as well as how sweet they can be.

I love the tie-in of martial arts in Ranma 1/2 because it makes everything very entertaining. Many things are done in jest obviously so it's really a bundle of fun with martial arts. The martial arts to keep ramen noodles safe and figure skating martial arts etc are just a few of the crazy techniques and arts that the people they meet use and it's absolutely hilarious. This anime has a special place in my heart and Ranma and Akane's relationship is what makes my heart warm and happy all the time. They're both very stubborn and probably tsundere but I love it when they show affection and care towards each other.

One of the most memorable scenes in Ranma 1/2 for me was the ice skating episodes where Ranma declared to everyone that Akane is his fiancee and that he won't allow anyone to hurt her. It was so sweet! And when they were spinning and Akane told him to let go so that he won't get hurt by continuing to hold on to her, I think the ice skating arc really showed how much Akane and Ranma care for each other in their own respective ways. She was also so cute when she made him cookies and was so determined to get him to eat it though hahaha.

But of course, the show runs mostly on the comedy factor and it never fails to make me laugh although some characters can get quite annoying loll. I remember there was an episode where Akane went to hospital and the other fiancee candidates gave her presents and Kodachi gave her a bomb that exploded and then a tape recording her laugh 'ohohoho' plays LMAO. That was so hilarious omg.  Ryoga is also a good character that is always lost (just like Zoro in OP), it's crazy where he ends up hahahaha but I still love him. Everyone seems to love Shampoo the most though and I guess she is rather entertaining in how hard she tries to win Ranma's affections.

Nevertheless, this is a great classic comedy that can get repetitive after 100+ episodes but still really good and funny. I mean Genma and Soun are such hilariously stupid fathers that I absolutely love and Happosai can be so annoying but stupidly funny when he gets weak due to not being close to his favourite lingerie or girls lmao. Needless to say, I love Ranma but I always question how they always have the money to fix the buildings and the house that Ranma and gang break every single episode LOL. It's definitely something I would rewatch again and again. It does have a rather abrupt ending though so I think if you want a conclusive ending, you'll have to read the manga.

November Manga of the Month (MOTM)

This month we have two rather unique manga that are similar to each other in essence but the main characters are entertaining for different reasons. It's hard to find such perfect protagonists that are flawlessly cool and calm and they're so natural about it, that it's ridiculous! But that is exactly the point of these manga, that it's ridiculously perfect but amazing at the same time, Gotta say, I enjoyed these ones very much.


Sakamoto desu ga? (Haven't you heard? I'm Sakamoto!) by Sano Nami
Genre: Comedy, School Life, Seinen, Slice of Life
Status: Complete, 24 chapters scanlated

Many of you may already know this one since the anime finished not too long ago with quite positive reviews. Personally, I like the manga more since I feel that Sakamoto has more of that natural poise and elegance with still images but that's me hahaha. Basically, it revolves around how our hero Sakamoto manages his everyday average life with average people in an extraordinarily cool but natural way. It's like, everything he does is supposed to be ridiculous but when he does it, you can't help but think that he's cool instead hahaha! It's such an amusing and different manga. The comments on Batoto are gold as well, they've labelled him Swagamoto LOL.

It's definitely unique though since it's not exactly a manga that everyone will appreciate but if you read it and it's your thing, you'll definitely love the whole of it. Also, it only has 4 volumes so it doesn't downspiral into a repetitive manga but instead something we can appreciate ending on its own volition and exiting in its own cool status.

Gotta love Hayabusa-senpai the most hahaha, chapter 11 is my favourite with the hand-push sumo thing like omg. The taxi and everything, it was done so well, I was so damn impressed and absolutely loved it. I guess the great thing about this manga also is that every character finds a way to relish and revere in Sakamoto's greatness and everything is like so weird but the best at the same time LOL. It's just so crazily cool hahaha! Definitely a unique manga.


Machida-kun no Sekai by Ando Yuki
Genre: Romance, School Life, Shoujo, Slice of Life
Status: Ongoing, 7 chapters scanlated

This is like the epitome of a feel good manga (without the need of babies in manga healing you LOL). He's just like Sakamoto in that he's perfect as well but in a completely different way. Sakamoto would be perfect in every way but on the other hand, Machida is probably socially perfect even if he isn't perfect at cooking and other things like grades haha. The common thing between them would be their natural poise in executing their actions and in this manga, Machida would be on the same level as Sakamoto in that he's so natural about helping people. This one's got a bit of romance in it but it's the best fluffy kind <3

He also doesn't think that he's a cool person or that he's doing anything particularly exceptional or out-of-this-world kind of actions when he extends his help to others which really makes the reader feel like they could be like Machida and help and love people as much as he does. Also, he tries very hard to do everything even if he's not good at it and he's such a natural at making the people around him happy even if he doesn't notice it. He's such a sweetie.

My favourite chapter has got to be chapter 5 because of Kazumi-chan. I love how naturally appreciative he was of his Aunt's existence when she was feeling down about whether she really was of much help at all since her husband didn't understand how big of an impact her presence there could be for when Machida's mother is giving birth. It was such a good chapter, I teared. Definitely an awesome feel good manga that makes you wanna be a better person as well and help others around you. If only I was a natural like Machida! But I guess I gotta start off being as nice and kind as him first!