Snow Girl

Yuki-onna (雪女) is a mysterious girl encountered by Ryoga Hibiki, Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo in the anime episode A Cold Day in Furinkan.

The Snow Girl's name is also her species; she is a Yuki-onna, a Japanese female spirit of winter and snow.

History
The Snow Girl appears during one winter in Nerima. Initially, she appears in the form of a young girl who has been lost in the snow, being discovered unconscious by Ryoga Hibiki, who tries to take her to safety. However, by doing this, he unwittingly angers Nu, the Snow Girl's guardian, who begins blanketing Nerima in an uncommonly intense chill, threatening to literally freeze the city solid until she returns.

Unaware of this, Ryoga brings the Snow Girl to the Tendo Dojo, where the occupants begin tending her. As the cold grows, Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo, ultimately joined by Ryoga, go to investigate the mysterious blizzard, and come to blows with Nu.

Although Ranma, Akane and Ryoga manage to battle Nu to a standstill, it is not until the Snow Girl returns, having regained her strength thanks to the ministrations of Kasumi Tendo, that the fight is won. The Snow Girl calms Nu's rage with her flute, and apologizes to the teens for the trouble that the simple-minded spirit caused whilst looking for her. She returns to her true form, which is a beautiful long-haired maiden, to deliver an extra-personal apology to Ryoga for his kindness to her.

Having done this, she takes Nu and leaves for the mountains once more, allowing Nerima to return to normal.

Abilities
As a Yuki-Onna, the Snow Girl's precise powers is a mystery. It is noted that her natural body-temperature is shockingly cold compared to a human. She has the ability to command Nu, a lesser snow spirit, through playing her flute. She also has the power to shift forms between that of a prepubescent girl and an older, more womanly form, perhaps closer to Kasumi Tendo in age.

Relationships
The Snow Girl's first most notable relationship is with her guardian, Nu. The lesser spirit is devoted to her to a fault, which can be dangerous for others due its comparative lack of intelligence. Often, the Snow Girl must reign Nu in with her magical flute when it gets out of control.

The Snow Girl has a cordial relationship with the denizens of the Tendo Dojo, but seems to feel especially fond of Ryoga. Indeed, she almost seems affectionate when she thanks him at the episode's end, even showing him the beautiful adult form that she had hidden from the rest of the dojo's inhabitants.