Ryugenzawa Arc

The  is the 64th story arc covered in the Ranma ½ manga, spanning thirteen chapters. This arc was included in volumes 25 and 26 of the  and volumes 23 and 24 of the Viz Media tankōbon.

Plot Summary
While watching television, Akane suddenly remembers a family trip to Ryugenzawa when she was a small child. While there a boy named Shinnosuke saved her from a giant platypus and gave her protective charm Horn Whistle. Akane travels back to Ryogenzawa and once again meets Shinnosuke, who falls in love with her. Turns out Shinnosuke sustained life-threatening injuries he got when saving her and only Water of Life keeps him alive (it's also responsible for size of giant animals). Akane blames herself for Shinnosuke's life-threatening injuries, and decides to stay and help out

Once Ranma finds out where Akane has gone, he becomes distraught at the possibility of losing Akane. Meanwhile Water of Life seems to be drying up. Only way to safe Shinnosuke's life is to face source of the water: Eight Headed Orochi. Ranma (and Ryoga, who joins in) decide to help Akane, even if it means loosing her to Shinnosuke.

Ultimately Orochi is deafeat with Akane's Horn Whistle and moss from his body cures Shinnosuke. Akane returns home with Ranma, while holding hands with him

Changes in anime

 * OVA skips several scenes
 * Akane's making actually edible curry
 * part of Shinnosuke's Grandfather's backstory (work in the zoo),
 * Ranma saving Shinnosuke, - Grandpa's crossdressing for the first time,
 * Shinnosuke and Ranma laugh at each other's makeup,
 * Shinnosuke's goodbye to Ranma and Akane,
 * Ramna's thoughts when he holds hands with Akane.
 * When Shinnosuke rudely tells Akane to go home, his sickly grandfather strikes him with Megaton Punch, before going back to bed.
 * Shinnosuke saves Ranma from one of the giant animals.
 * In manga Akane stopped Ranma from attacking Shinnosuke by hitting him. In anime she only gets between them.
 * Eight Headed Orochi cares only about women. It doesn't want wine, nor it gets attacked with beer.
 * Ranma turns into girl earlier during the battle to bait Orochi.. But he doesn't do "tug of war" on Orochi biggest head. Also he looses the skirt before turning back into a guy.



Characters Introduced

 * Shinnosuke
 * Shinnosuke's Grandfather
 * Eight Headed Orochi