Nightmare! Incense of Spring Sleep



'''Nightmare! Incense of Spring Sleep''' is the most recent Ranma ½ OVA to be released. It debuted in 2008, after a twelve-year gap. It was created to celebrate the fifty-year anniversary of Shōnen Sunday. Its style differed from previous anime in the series, as it was released in high-definition with higher-quality animation.

At Furinkan High School
Happosai has broken into the Girls' Changing room and stolen a haul of underwear, but Akane and a couple of other female students find him and take chase. Ranma is playing Keepie uppie with a Soccer Ball and sees Happosai being chased by the girls. Akane then shouts to Ranma and tells him to get Happosai. Ranma then kicks the Soccer Ball at Happosai and it appears to hit him in the back of the head. However, when Akane and the girls catch up to where Happosai fell they just find a straw dummy with Happosai's clothing.

Ranma then looks up at a nearby roof and sees Happosai on top of it. Happosai shouts down to Ranma telling him that he's got to do better than that to try and defeat him. This annoys Ranma who tells Happosai to try this. Ranma pours the bottle water he was holding over his head, thus turning him into his female form. Ranma then lifts up her shirt showing Happosai her breasts. Happosai is unable to resist and jumps towards Ranma's revealed chest.

However, before Happosai touches Ranma, she hits Happosai to the floor and lets the girls finish Happosai off. While Ranma watches and laughs about how surprisingly easy that was, Akane hits Ranma with a Badminton Racquet. Ranma asks what was that for, to which Akane replies that if Ranma's got enough time to gloat about her victory then she should hurry up and cover her chest. Ranma shouts at Akane telling her that she told her to catch Happosai, to which Akane retorts that he should've picked a better way to do it. An argument quickly ensues between the two.

Later that day, Happosai is still battered and bruised on the Furinkan High playing fields. He curses Ranma for what he did and says that he'll remember this.

That Evening
While Ranma and Genma (who's in his panda form) are sleeping Happosai makes a pill. Happosai explains that if Ranma were to take this one whiff of his Deep Sleep Incense he won't wake up until the end of Spring. Ranma (who had been talking to Happosai, unnoticed by Happosai himself) then punches Happosai at hearing the Incense is going to be used on him. Ranma tells Happosai if he just expects him to sit back and take the Incense. Happosai asks Ranma how long he's been awake, to which Ranma replies that anyone would wake up with him shouting in the middle of the night (although Genma remains fast asleep).

Happosai then jumps backwards and says they'd best speed things up then. He then puts on a gas mask, lights the Incense and begins trying to use a fan to waft the sent at Ranma. However, Ranma covers his mouth and nose and tries to avoid Happosai and the Incense. The two of them then leave the room, the noise of the two wakes Genma up, but he just looks around and goes back to sleep.

Happosai continues to chase Ranma, trying to get him to smell the Incense for the rest of the night.

Next Morning
Akane wakes from all the noise caused by Ranma and Happosai. After walking downstairs Akane encounters Ranma still being chased by Happosai. Happosai then wafts the Incense at Ranma, but Ranma jumps out of the way causing the Incense to waft into Akane; which she then smells and lose her footing slightly. This causes Happosai distress since he got the wring person with the Incense. However, his attitude quickly changes as Happosai decides he'll just have to play with Akane instead until she wakes up.

Happosai then jumps towards Akane, but gets punches and sent flying by Akane instead. While Happosai flies off Akane asks him what he thinks he's doing.

Back at Furinkan High School
Ranma explains to Akane about Happosai and his Sleep Incense, but Akane says she feels fine so Ranma decides that means Happosai screwed up. Ranma then turns to Gosunkugi and tells him they won't be needing the Voodoo doll he's making anymore (to Gosunkugi's slight disappointment). Akane then begins to read a book, but she then yawns and decides it must be because of all the racket last night so she couldn't get much sleep, so she closes her eyes and puts her head on her hand.

When Hinako Ninomiya is taking the class and is reading a book, she notices Akane asleep (Ranma was also eating in class as well, but that goes unnoticed). Hinako walks over Akane (during which time Ranma tries to tell her to wake up) and tells her that only bad students sleep in class, she then takes out a Toy Hammer and is about to hit Akane with it. However, Akane (who's still sleeping) takes the hammer of Hinako and hits her with it instead. This upsets Hinako, so she runs off crying, while the other students comment on how it's unlike Akane to go against the teacher.

Ranma gets out of his seat and tries to nudge Akane's shoulder, but Akane grabs Ranma's arm and throws him against a wall. Ranma asks what's going on. Happosai then pops up and says that the effects of his Incense have finally kicked in and jumps towards Akane, only to get punched and thrown back at the same wall as Ranma. Happosai also asks what's going on, to which Ranma tells him they should be asking him that. Happosai he doesn't understand since he made the Incense just like his Grimoire told him to.

Happosai then takes out his Grimoire, which one of the male students takes off him and reads. The students reads that the Incense is meant for those who can't sleep because they're lives are in constant danger, so this Incense allows them to sleep and still be able to fight off those who may try to harm them. Ranma then looks at Happosai angrily and then throws him out through a window, telling him to read what he's making before he makes it.

Ukyo asks Ranma what they should do about Akane. Ranma says he doesn't know, to which the student with the Grimoire says that if they don't do something soon Akane will sleep until the end of Spring.

Akane's Dream
Ranma is at a party with Ukyo and Shampoo (who are sat on his lap). While Ranma kisses Ukyo (much to her enjoyment), Shampoo calls to Akane telling her that they're out of Booze and that she should hurry up and get some more. Shampoo then returns her attention to Ranma who begins to rub her butt (to Shampoo's enjoyment). Ukyo then tells Akane that maids aren't good unless they're working hard, to which Akane obediently agrees. Ranma then tells Akane that he's hungry, so Akane tells him that she'll bring refreshments immediately. When Akane brings the food, she lifts up the Cloche revealing that the food is Ryoga and Mousse (both in their respective cursed forms), Ranma says he doesn't want this so throws it at Akane.

Back in real-life, Akane (still sleeping) begins to clean the floor with a cloth. She then starts to cry and talk about the horrible treatment she receives, whilst Ranma, Ukyo and Gosunkugi look on wondering what's going on, but they quickly deduce that Akane must be dreaming.

Returning to Akane's dream, Akane is now looking on at Ranma with Ukyo and Shampoo through a slit in the door. Akane continues by saying that it's alright though since this way she can at least be near her beloved Ranma. While she performs in her dream about this, the students look on in disbelief about how absorbed in the dream she actually is.

Ranma Tries to Wake Akane
Ranma decides he's had enough of this so shouts loudly into Akane's ear. At first Akane seems to have woken up since she's now in her bedroom and says what an odd dream she just had. However, when Akane walks downstairs she finds Ranma with Ukyo and Shampoo again, who are both feeding him their home cooked food. This angers Akane who begins to attack the real-life Ranma with a desk. After avoiding the desk several times Akane stops trying to hit Ranma, however, when Ranma asks Akane what happened because she'd stopped Akane replies that nothing's happened but now Ranma's wide open, so she throws the desk at him again; this time hitting Ranma successfully.

Ranma then gets angry with Akane, since she's trying to make a fool out of him. However, just before Ranma can do anything Kuno breaks through the doors Ranma was stood in front of (and crushing Ranma under them in the process) on a horse. Kuno then says that trying to wake a maiden by force shows that Ranma is truly a peasant and when Ranma asks Kuno what he's talking about, Kuno replies that from time immemorial it's been the duty of a prince to wake a maiden with a kiss.

Akane then has another dream where she is a Snow White-esque maiden, lying fast a sleep surrounded by Roses. Kuno (dressed like a stereotypical fairytale prince) then arrives and comments on the beauty of the sight of Akane is. Kuno then goes into kiss Akane, but Akane is disgusted by this so hits Kuno and sends both him and his horse flying. Ranma comments on how far the two of them flew. Gosunkugi then comments on how it seems that plan isn't going to work then, Ranma then looks at Gosunkugi and notices he's wearing the same prince outfit that Kuno was. When Ranma asks Gosunkugi what the outfit is for, Gosunkugi replies that he wasn't going to try to do anything to Akane. Ranma then hits Gosunkugi for lying.

Ukyo then walks up to where Ranma's stood and says that the boys in their class are just like lower life forms. Gosunkugi (who somehow got the Grimoire) says that there's an "important notes" section on the next page of the Grimoire, regarding the Incense. Gosunkugi reads it, revealing that if the Incense is used during a time of peace then the present affected by it may have they're anger rise and begin lashing out indiscriminately.

This revelation shocks Ukyo and Ranma, but before they know it Akane has left the classroom and has broken a hole in the door in the process. Ranma and Ukyo decide they'd best chase after Akane before it's too late and run off, while Gosunkugi tells them to wait for him.

The Chase After Akane
Akane has another dream where she's an Indiana Jones-esque explorer in a dark cave with only a torch. While Akane looks at the walls she sees odd looking statues and wonders where she is, just then a circular piece of stone rolls towards her. This stone in real-life turns out to be a American Football, Akane then picks it up while the people who were using it ask her to kick it back to them.

Returning to Akane's dream, Akane feels the ground shake and then the statues next to her begin to move. This frightens Akane who begins to attack the people who asked her to return the ball as they represent the statues in her dream. Ranma, Ukyo and co. see the Football team being thrown into the air in multiple directions and say that this is bad and that they've got to stop her before she does anymore damage.

Akane walks up to the school gates (still carrying the Football) and then the sound a Ukelele can be heard which turns out to be from Principal Kuno. The Principal then tells Akane then breaking out from class is useless and that he'll have to punish bad students like her. Back in Akane's dream, she has placed the circular stone in the centre of a large stone wall. The Wall then opens revealing a gold statue in the middle of the room which was behind the wall. Akane is glad she's finally sound the "Illusory Statue" (which looks identical to Principal Kuno), but finds it too dirty to see anything so decides to clean it up with some polish.

Ranma and Ukyo are inspecting the damage Akane did to the Football players from earlier when they hear the Principal screaming, so run towards the direction of the gate. Once there they find the Principal wrapped up in bars of the school gate (which has since been opened and nearly destroyed) with the Football in his mouth. While Ukyo wonders just how Akane could've done something like this, Ranma worries about what Akane could end up doing now that she's outside the School.

The Chase Continues
Ranma, Ukyo and Gosunkugi leave the school grounds and find a long trail of large-scale destruction which must've been caused by Akane. They then find Soun and Genma (who's in his panda form) behind an "Under Construction" sign. When Ranma tells them that they don't need to tell them that it was Akane who did all this damage. Soun then explains that they were doing some manual labor when they saw Akane. Genma then holds up a sign saying that they looked away for a moment and she threw them into the Construction site.

Shampoo then arrives on her bike and runs her front wheel into Ranma's face. Shampoo then asks Ranma if he skipped out of class so he could go on a date with her, she then jumps off her bike and onto Ranma (causing both of them to fall to the floor). Ranma tries to get Shampoo off him and says that they've got to find Akane. Hearing this Shampoo gets off Ranma and tells him that Akane went to the Cat Café. Ranma says that the place must be in trouble if Akane's there. Ranma then takes Shampoo with him as he runs off with Ukyo, Gosunkugi and the rest of the group of students, leaving Soun and Genma wondering why they were just left behind.

At the Cat Café
Ranma and co. run towards the Café hoping that they're not too late. When they arrive they find Akane sat down with Mousse and Cologne serving her noodles. Mousse comments on how Akane can still eat while she's sleeping. Cologne then looks at Ranma and co. and explains that Akane is now on her 24th bowl. Ranma and co. look back at Akane in disbelief wondering if she's actually sleeping at all.

Meanwhile, Akane is having another dream. This time she's at the Jusenkyo Eating Contest with the Jusenkyo Guide telling that spectators that they're nearing the climax as the only remaining competitors are Akane and Picolet and there is only 30 seconds left on the clock. Picolet begins using his Martial Arts Dining and Absolue Mouth Control to put large quantities of noodles in his mouth. However, Picolet puts too many in so chokes, falls back off his chair and spits out all the noodles, thus making Akane then winner. As Akane jumps for joy at how she won, the Jusenkyo Guide announces that the prize for winning is a kiss from Happosai. This upsets Akane.

In the Cat Café and Happosai has caught up with the group and manages to squeeze his way through and is about to jump at Akane. However, when he does because of Akane's dream she flips the table in front of her, causing Happosai along with several chopsticks and bowls to fly and hit Gosunkugi. Akane then begins thrashing out again and a ruckus ensues within the Café. Outside, Hinako has also caught up to the group and shouts at them telling them that class is still in session and they should all return.

Akane then emerges from the ruckus, scaring Hinako who doesn't want to get hit again. However, Akane has no interest in Hinako and grabs a bucket of water and throws it over everyone in he Café. This manages to calm everyone down, while Ukyo comments on the mess they've made. She then looks and sees Ranma running from Shampoo as they've changed into their cursed forms and Mousse chasing after the both of them.

Ukyo decides that she's got no choice and throws two Spatulas at Akane, which have string/rope attached to them. The Spatulas wrap around Akane and makes her unable to cause anymore damage. Ranma then compliments Ukyo and tells Hinako to absorb her aura.

After Akane Gets Tied Up
In another one of Akane's dreams, she is imaging she's part of group (all of the other group have fallen to the floor and Akane is the only one left standing). The person responsible turns out to be Hinako in her older form, using her Happōgoensatsu technique. Back in real-life and Hinako gets slapped by Akane using the two Spatulas which tied her up. This upsets Hinako who runs away crying. Ranma and Ukyo look on at Hinako in disbelief of her childish behaviour.

Returning to Akane's dream and she has now been tied up and captured by Ukyo and Shampoo, who have taken her to Kodachi. Kodachi congratulates the two on their work and tells Akane she'll experience pain like hell itself. In the Cat Café and Ranma has returned back into his male form by using water from a boiled Tetsubin. Ranma comments on how it seems Akane has finally calmed down a bit now. Shampoo then covers Akane with a blanket while Mousse says they should play her some music to sooth her.

Akane's dream has now led to her being placed in the bottom of a well while Kodachi, Ukyo and Shampoo look on as Akane gets engulfed by the water that they're pouring into the well. Just before she becomes completely submerged, Akane hears Ranma's voice calling her. In the Cat Café again and Akane (still asleep) rips the blanket Shampoo placed over her and jumps into Ranma's arms saying how she's so glad he came to save her. This sight angers Ukyo and Shampoo who ask Akane what she thinks she's doing.

While Ranma stands confused with Akane embracing him, Soun and Genma (now in his human form) arrive and tells Ranma that he's done it now. The two of them continue by telling Ranma that so long as Akane is holding onto him she can't lash out, so Ranma should hold onto Akane with all his might. Ranma tells Soun and Genma not to decide things on their own, while Gosunkugi looks on slightly angered and annoyed.

Trivia

 * At one point, Kagome Higurashi, Shippo, Miroku, Tessaiga, and Inuyasha, from the anime InuYasha (a series also made by Rumiko Takahashi) made a cameo appearence when Akane was having a nightmare about Hinako in which they are all dead.
 * Inuyasha, Shippo, and Tessaiga are located to Akane's left. Shippo's body is on top of Inuyasha's body while Tessaiga (in it's true form) is stuck in the floor, behind Inuyasha. Kagome is located to Akane's right and her back is facing the viewer. She is also seen in her normal, school uniform clothes. And Miroku is located behind Akane but can only be recognized by his sandals and purple robe.
 * Some of Akane's dreams are based off famous movies, such as Indiana Jones and Rambo.
 * During Akane's first dream during the big drunk party, Lum from the anime Urusei Yatsura (another Rumiko Takahashi series) briefly flies past the camera, along with the trademark flying noise from the show.