Ranma ½ starts with the story of an unfortunate young man named Ranma Saotome. His father, Genma, took Ranma from his hometown (Japan) to train him in martial arts. The two traveled all the way to China, where they stopped by at the training grounds of the Cursed Springs of Jusenkyo. Ranma and Genma were accompanied by a Chinese guide, who was about to tell them about the tragic tale of the Cursed Springs. Millions of years ago....blah,blah,blah (it's a long story). N-E-wayz, basically, whoever falls into a spring takes the body of whoever drowned there last. Unfortunately, Ranma and Genma didn't bother taking the time to listen to the story and started training right in the middle of the cursed springs. While training, Ranma kicked his father into the Spring of Drowned Panda. Genma reappeared moments later as a giant panda and knocked Ranma into the Spring of Drowned Girl. Now, whenever Ranma and Genma are splashed with cold water, Ranma becomes a girl(a.k.a Ranma-Chan) and Genma turns into a giant panda. Fortunately, when Ranma and Genma pour hot water onto themselves, they change back into their normal forms.
As if that wasn't bad enough, Genma told Ranma they were going back to Japan to visit his old friend, Nerima Soun Tendo. Many years ago, Genma and Soun made the decision that if one of them had a son and the other had a daughter, their children would get married and carry on the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. Even though Ranma wasn't happy about the idea, the two travelled all the way back to Japan to meet Ranma's fiancée. Soon after arriving at the Tendo Dojo and after Ranma's secret (that he was able to change into a girl) was discovered, Soun and his two older daughter's decided that Akane was the best match, since she was the youngest (16, like Ranma) and was always complaining about how she hated boys. Since Akane hated boys so much and since Ranma was half-girl, everyone thought they would make a perfect couple.
Ranam and Akane hated the idea that they were engaged and gradually, they started hating each other and getting onto each other's nerves everyday. Despite the arguing, the hitting and the swearing, deep down inside, Ranma and Akane really love each other. They're just too stubborn and embarressed to admit it.
From that day on, Ranma and Genma stay with the Tendos at their peaceful dojo and Ranma goes to Furikan High School with Akane and Nabiki.
Now, thanks to Ranma and Genma, new characters show up at the Tendo dojo every once in a while to take revenge the father or the son for something that they'd done in the past.
With all that crashing through walls, jumping through roofs, fighting in the house and breaking practically everything in sight, the Tendo's peaceful dojo isn't that peaceful after all!!!
