How Ranma 1/2 Addresses The Significance Of Coming Out

Key Takeaways

• Ranma 1/2 reflects the “coming out” experience, with characters respecting Ranma’s gender identity and not revealing his curse without consent. (119 characters)
• Soun Tendo initially struggles with Ranma’s gender fluidity but ultimately accepts and adapts to it. (97 characters)
• Ranma shows respect for Ryoga’s coming out by keeping his curse secret, fostering understanding and support in their rivalry. (123 characters)

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Ranma 1/2 (2024)

In Ranma 1/2, male teenage martial artist Ranma Saotome gets cursed with turning into a female whenever he’s splashed with cold water. He only shares this information with his father and the Tendos. In turn, Ranma’s new family respects his identity and does not reveal his curse without Ranma’s consent. In this regard, Ranma 1/2 parallels “coming out” for queer people and those closest to them.

Ranma’s identity is complex, but labeling his sex and gender is less relevant. What’s more important is how Ranma’s curse is a significant part of his life. He maintains the autonomy over who he reveals his curse to while respecting the autonomy of other characters, like Ryoga, to do the same.

Ranma Comes Out in the Netflix Anime’s First Episode

While Confused at First, the Tendos Accept Him for Who He Is

In season 1, episode 1, “Here’s Ranma,” Soun Tendo greets the news of Ranma’s arrival at the Anything Goes Martial Arts Dojo with tears of joy. Of course, this outburst is a manifestation of all the heteronormative expectations he has for his prospective son-in-law. When Genma and Ranma reveal their curse, the Tendo patriarch’s expectations shatter.

Fortunately, it does not take long for Soun to come around and accept Ranma’s new identity. He learns how hot water changes Ranma back into a boy and adapts. In moments, he re-imagines how a marriage between Ranma and one of his daughters would look like rather than forbid him from an engagement with them. (Granted, neither Ranma nor Akane wants to marry each other, but that’s a different discussion.)

Each character’s reaction to Ranma’s fluid sex is different. Akane, having assumed Ranma is a cisgender girl, has a rather adverse and defensive response. Even Ranma’s father, Genma, states, “He’s my son, but no matter how many times I look at him, he’s a bizarre enigma.”

The Human Rights Campaign states, “Sometimes, parents and caregivers are instantly accepting and will embrace your sexual identity. Other times, they may be initially hesitant or confused, but able to grow and recognize that you deserve love and respect in your sexual identity.” While the people in Ranma’s life may react with hesitation, all of them ultimately support him in his new sex-shifting reality.

Ranma Keeps Ryoga’s P-Chan Curse Secret

Ranma Honors Ryoga’s Coming Out Experience Despite Their Rivalry

Ranma and Genma are not the only characters affected by the curses of the Jusenkyo springs. A rival from Ranma’s past also suffers from one of the spring’s curses.

Ryoga Hibiki’s initial grievance toward Ranma is trivial. However, in pursuit of Ranma, Ryoga follows him and Genma to the infamous cursed springs. Shortly after falling into the “Spring of Drowned Girl,” Ranma chases Genma across the springs, carelessly shoving Ryoga into the “Spring of Drowned Black Piglet.” Now Ryoga turns into a miniature black pig when hit with cold water.

Ranma catches on to Ryoga’s curse after a late-night showdown at the Anything Goes Dojo in season 1, episode 5, “Who Says You’re Cute.” However, Ranma initially assumes that Ryoga’s curse is canine-related, mistaking a neighbor’s dog for a cursed Ryoga.

Regardless of Ranma’s ignorance, the treatment of the dog he mistakes for Ryoga is sincere. During an internal monologue, Ranma promises, “Trust me, Ryoga. I’ll take your secret to my grave.”

Ranma’s promise is a sign of respect toward Ryoga and his journey. As Cosmopolitan contributor, Adam Maidment states:

Any member of the LGBTQ+ community will be able to tell you just how much of a deeply personal experience coming out can be, and how it should only ever be done on their own terms, when they are ready.

As a fellow cursed individual, Ranma does not use his rivalry with Ryoga as an excuse to out him. On the contrary, he commits to helping Ryoga maintain ownership of his narrative.

Ranma Takes Small Steps Coming Out Publicly

He Uses His Real Name While Competing in Girl Mode

Coming out to family and close friends is one undertaking. However, coming out and living authentically in public is a different, and rather formidable, task. Living authentically in public is especially difficult for Ranma, a gender-fluid high school student in 1980s Japan.

Despite the potential blowback from his classmates, Ranma attempts to socially transition in small ways. One such example occurs during season 1, episode 7, “Hot Competition.”

While training for a martial rhythmic gymnastics battle, Akane injures herself, forcing Ranma to sub-in for her. The upcoming match against Kodachi Kuno will put Ranma’s girl form on display for a packed arena of teenagers. Using a pseudonym in this situation would be understandable.

However, a cavalier Ranma uses their real name when entering the ring. When Akane asks Ranma about this decision, he brushes her off, saying, “Oh, it’ll be fine.” Perhaps Ranma is just careless. However, this decision reflects the small actions queer people take toward living authentically, like holding a partner’s hand while walking down the street or wearing clothes in line with one’s true gender to a party.

While Ranma 1/2 is not a one-to-one parallel with LGBTQ+ life, the moments examined above share similarities with the queer experience. Even if the series’s queer coding isn’t intentional, it’s excellent that queer fans can connect to Ranma 1/2’s themes on a deeper level.