Kodachi, the Black Rose


 * This articles is about the manga chapter called "Kodachi, the Black Rose". For the character known by this name see: Kodachi Kuno.

Kodachi, the Black Rose is the 17th chapter of the Ranma ½ manga. It is also the first chapter of the Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics Arc.

After using his girl-form to get some free food, Ranma comes across some bandaged girls in a lot being beaten up by another girl using a ribbon. After Ranma stops the fight the girl tells Ranma her name is Kodachi the Black Rose, and that she is St. Hebereke's champion Rhythmic Gymnastics Martial Artist.

Somewhere in Furinkan
A salesman tells a girl that since she's so cute she can have another Bun for free. The girl turns out to be Ranma in his female form. As Ranma walks off she thinks to herself that when it comes to getting free food his girl form is the way to go. Meanwhile, a girl with long black hair is surrounded by group of three people in bandages. The black haired girl says that there's no need for the three of them to rush since they'll be having their match in one week. The bandaged group of three tell the black haired girl to stop talking and that they've got her at last.

Ranma stumbles across the face off and wonders what's going on. The bandaged group then charge towards the black haired girl with Batons. However, the black haired girl pulls out a ribbon and spins it round to force the bandaged group of three to fall back to the ground. The black haired girl then begins to use the ribbon to whip the bandaged group and cause them to scream in pain.

Ranma Interrupts
Ranma then grabs the ribbon and asks the black haired girl if she thinks that's enough since she's already won. The black haired girl stares at Ranma shocked at how she caught the ribbon like it was nothing. The black haired the girl then asks Ranma is she'll forgive her if she calls Ranma no ordinary girl, to which Ranma replies that she could say that. The black haired girl continues to say that's good since she doesn't like to treat girls with ordinary courtesy.

The black haired girl then lunges at Ranma with a Baton (which she'd kicked up into her hand from the floor), but she misses Ranma, who had dodged and kicks the black haired girl and kicked her leg. This surprises the black haired girl, however, she manages to land of her hands and backflip so she's back on her feet again. The black haired girl then tells Ranma that she's very good. The black haired girl then says that she's the Black Rose of St. Hebereke's School for Girls (changed to St. Bacchus in the english translation), Kodachi, the Black Rose. Kodachi then throws a rose at Ranma and jumps away laughing.

The bandaged group of three then begin to cry at their humiliation at being defeated. Ranma then tells them that they shouldn't cry since they're men. However, the bandaged group of three unravel their bandages, thus revealing that they are actually girls from the Furinkan Rhythmic Gymnastics Team. Ranma then looks at them in worry since she recognises them from her class.

Cast in Order of Appearance

 * Ranma Saotome (female)
 * Kodachi Kuno (debut)
 * Akane Tendo
 * Ranma Saotome (male)
 * Ryoga Hibiki (P-chan)
 * Soun Tendo
 * Ryoga Hibiki (human)

Trivia

 * This chapter features the debut of what will become a running gag in the series of characters with Jusenkyo curses (usually Ryoga) jumping into a bath, while Soun is in it, and walking out back in their human forms.
 * This chapter features a rather rare case in the manga of a character other than Ranma in his female form providing Fan service. This is shown as in one panel Kodachi's underwear is clearly visible.