Phoenix Sword Arc

The  is the 72nd story arc covered in the Ranma ½ manga, spanning two chapters. This arc was included in volume 29 of the  and volume 27 of the Viz Media tankōbon.

Plot Summary
One day Tatewaki Kuno decides to stop by an antique store called "Phoenix" where he purchases a mystical egg said to house a baby phoenix. The store owner warns him that no matter what he must never place the egg and nest on his head, but it happens anyway. The phoenix hatches and immediately starts attacking Ranma, due to special type of exhibited by the phoenix. With the phoenix, Kuno learns the Phoenix Sword technique. However, the phoenix does not leave Kuno's head nor does it stop attacking Ranma, even in girl form. Ranma finds the store owner and buys Phoenix growth pill. He starts feeding it to the phoenix but it only makes it larger and more powerful. Eventually, the bird flies off, leaving an egg behind. Kuno buys off the egg from the store owner.

Major Events

 * Kuno learns of the Phoenix Sword technique.

Changes in anime

 * Sasuke is anime exclusive character and all of his scenes are added. Most notably he tricks Ukyo and Shampoo into making growth-acceleration food for Phoenix. (Shop owner only sells recipe, not ready food).
 * Ukyo, Shampoo, and Ryoga are also only in the anime version, helping to feed the phoenix in much larger battle than in manga. In one notable scene exclusive to anime. Ranma and Ryoga run over a broken spa, hot and cold water constantly changing their forms.
 * The shop owner has a bigger role and pops up several times to offer new insights about the Phoenix.
 * The movie extends the joke about "imprinting".
 * No one realizes from the phoenix's more violent reaction to female Ranma that it is a female.
 * Kuno actually refuses to remove the bird from his head.
 * Ranma is kicked out of the Tendo Dojo. Ranma puts a lid to prevent the phoenix from pecking him during the night.
 * Ranma doesn't try a snake attack on Phoenix.
 * The phoenix imprints on a new person each day and changes target to Akane (although is much less fixated on her than was on Ranma).
 * Ranma tries using Akane to distract Kuno, but she hates this plan and splashes Ranma with cold water.

Characters Introduced

 * Antique shop owner
 * Legendary Phoenix