Fans of Rumiko Takahashi’s beloved martial arts romantic comedy, Ranma ½, recently witnessed a pivotal moment in the new anime adaptation with the broadcast of Episode 18, titled “The Resurrection of ‘Evil'” or “Evil Awakens.” This highly anticipated episode marks the first appearance of one of the series’ most iconic and troublesome characters: Happosai, the perverted yet incredibly powerful master of Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome.
Happosai’s Sudden Arrival and Intentions
Episode 18 thrusts the residents of the Tendo Dojo into chaos with the unexpected arrival of Happosai. He is introduced as the ancient master of Ranma’s father, Genma, and Akane’s father, Soun, and a legendary figure in the Anything-Goes Martial Arts school. Despite his diminutive stature, Happosai quickly demonstrates his overwhelming strength and highly perverted tendencies, which immediately put everyone on edge. His proclaimed purpose for appearing is to train Ranma as the successor to their unique fighting style.
Ranma’s Challenge and Banishment
Ranma, never one to back down from a challenge, attempts to put a stop to Happosai’s lecherous and selfish behavior. However, Ranma is no match for the elderly master’s formidable skills and is completely overpowered in their confrontation. As a consequence of his defeat and perhaps to further his own agenda, Happosai bans Ranma from the Tendo household, instructing him to embark on a “training journey” as a warrior. This banishment sets the stage for Ranma’s secret plan to seek revenge against the tyrannical old man.
A Shift in Happosai’s Demeanor
Following Ranma’s secret counterattack plan, a peculiar change begins to manifest in Happosai’s behavior. This unexpected twist adds a layer of intrigue to the episode, suggesting that Ranma’s scheme might have unforeseen consequences or that there’s more to Happosai’s actions than meets the eye. The episode skillfully introduces Happosai not just as a powerful martial artist, but as a complex character whose presence will undoubtedly bring significant comedic and martial arts challenges to Ranma and the Tendo family.
The New Anime Adaptation: A Fresh Take
This Episode 18 is part of the completely new anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s manga, which began airing in October 2024, approximately 32 years after the original TV anime series concluded in 1992. The new series aims to bring the classic story to a contemporary audience with updated animation while staying true to the source material. Kazuhiko Inoue provides the voice for Happosai in this adaptation, lending his talent to one of the series’ most memorable characters. This particular episode aired on Nippon Television and was subsequently made available on various streaming platforms, including Netflix worldwide.
The introduction of Happosai is a critical point in the Ranma ½ narrative, as he becomes a recurring source of conflict, comic relief, and intense martial arts training for Ranma and the gang. His debut in Episode 18 of the new adaptation establishes a new dynamic within the already chaotic Tendo household.
