Akane Tendo (manga)

Akane Tendo is the secondary main protagonist throughout most of the Ranma ½ manga. This is the original depiction of Akane Tendo, as created by Rumiko Takahashi.

Akane is one of the three daughters of Soun and Mrs. Tendo, with both her sisters Nabiki and Kasumi being older than her. She along with her sisters were to be chosen by Ranma Saotome to become fiancés as part of the agreement made by Soun and Genma Saotome prior to their birth. Ultimately, Akane was chosen by her sisters to becomes Ranma's fiancé due to them having the same age as well as Akane being the only of the three daughters who regularly practices Martial Arts.

Despite being extremely hostile towards Ranma initially, she eventually comes to harbor romantic feelings for Ranma. After the events of Jusendo Akane and Ranma are finally willing to get married, although it doesn't go as planned.

History
Akane is the youngest of the three daughters of Soun and Mrs. Tendo. Akane's mother died when she was very young. Perhaps because of this, she appears not to have learned many traditionally feminine skills, and her terrible cooking is a running joke during the series as nearly everything she cooks ends up making people sick, except for her curry. Akane may see her sister Kasumi as a surrogate mother figure, since she helps her with more traditionally feminine chores.

Akane grows up as a tomboy, getting into fights, acting tough, and improving her martial arts. In elementary school, her classmates thought she was so much like a boy that she was cast to play Romeo in their production of Romeo and Juliet; Akane accepts the role and plays a very cute Romeo, though deep down she always wanted to be cast as Juliet.

Some point about this time, Akane develops a crush on Dr. Tofu who patches her up after one of her many fights. However, Akane notices that Dr. Tofu appears to be more interested in Kasumi than her, so begins to grow her hair so as she can appear to be "more feminine" and hopefully get affection from Dr. Tofu.

Due to her crush of Dr. Tofu, Akane outright states that she hates boys. This is worsened when she enters Furinkan High School, where Tatewaki Kuno declares that only those who can defeat her have the right to go out with her. Because of this, Akane is attacked daily by all the strong male athletes en mass. Akane, however, is able to defeat them all without being late for class.

Introduction
After Soun had received news of his old friend, Genma Saotome, bringing his son Ranma for a visit he gathers his daughters to explain the situation to them. At first Akane isn't present due to her being out running, but is soon found by Nabiki and the two and Kasumi learn that Ranma is going to become the fiancé of one of them, so as the School of Anything Goes Martial Arts can continue on.

The three sisters obvious has reservations about becoming engaged to a man whom they've met before. A girl and panda then arrive (who are actually Ranma and Genma in their respective cursed forms) and the girl introduces herself as "Ranma". This initially causes confusion amongst the Tendos, but Akane accepts this female Ranma and asks if she'd like to spar with her.

Ranma manages to defeat Akane. Akane then confides in Ranma that she's glad she's (Ranma) isn't a boy. Ranma goes off to the bathroom to have a wash. A bit later Akane decides to do the same. However, when she enters (with nothing but a towel), Akane is faced with a naked man who she doesn't know and campy closes the door to the bathroom. She then goes downstairs and screams and explains the situation of the unknown male to her sisters. The male, fully dressed, introduces as "Ranma" as well.

A bit of time passes and Akane along with her sisters learn of the events leading up to the current situation, with Ranma and Genma having fallen into the Cursed Springs of Jusenkyo and now change form when splashed with cold water along with Genma's reasoning to going somewhere so dangerous. Akane is then chosen by Nabiki and Kasumi to be Ranma's fiancé since Ranma's perfect as she hates boys and he's half girl.

Akane and Ranma fall into an argument over what happened in the bathroom, which ultimately results in Akane knocking Ranma unconscious with a table. While Ranma's unconscious, Akane goes to have a bath herself. Everything's uneventful until Akane tries to go out of the bathroom and is met face-to-face with a naked female Ranma and so she slaps Ranma for seeing her naked again. Nabiki then chats with Akane about this, but Akane disagrees with Nabiki's reasoning that it was okay since they were both girls at the time.

Tatewaki Kuno Intro
Ranma learns he'll be attending Furinkan High School with Akane and Nabiki, so Akane ends up escorting Ranma there. On the way Genma ends up making Ranma fall into the flood drains, so the pair have to go to Dr. Tofu's Clinic so Akane can get Ranma some hot water (and turn her back to her male form). When she returns, Dr. Tofu is talking to Ranma and Akane forces Ranma to bow as she says hello to him. Ranma just looks at Akane and wonders about this odd change in behaviour.

After discussing a bit about Dr. Tofu with Ranma the pair arrive to what is a usual sight for Akane; a large group of male students all trying to defeat her. Once the other male students have been defeated, Tatewaki Kuno arrives and after a quick conversation with Ranma ends up fighting him as Akane watches.

Kuno is eventually defeated by Ranma, however, the fight caused both Akane and Ranma to be late, so are forced to stand outside holding water buckets. Kuno soon reappears and challenges Ranma again. During this time the other students learn of Ranma and Akane's engagement. Akane and the other students chase after Ranma and Kuno as they go somewhere more suitable for a rematch.

Unfortunately this causes Ranma and Kuno to end up in the School pool and, when Kuno gropes Ranma, Akane thinks this could mean that Ranma's secret has been revealed. Luckily, Kuno thinks Ranma just pulled a trick and replaced himself with a young girl. A little bit later Akane has gotten some hot water for Ranma and decides to fight Kuno as a distraction while Ranma changes back. This doesn't go to plan as Kuno destroys the kettle and so Ranma just defeats him as she is.

At the Tendo Dojo after school, Akane talks to Nabiki about the day's events and her comments (heard unknowingly by Ranma outside her door) causes Ranma to decide not to thanks her for what she did.

The next day things seem to be as they usually are, with Akane and Ranma defeating the daily hoard of male students. Later that day, Akane observes the fight between Kuno and Ranma as well as being the ultimate reason why Ranma was able to succeed. Despite seeming unharmed, Ranma is actually hurt (suffering serve pain when touched) so Akane takes him to see Dr. Tofu.

While there Ranma is treated for his injuries (despite how many more Akane tried to cause when he insulted her), however, Dr. Tofu touches a part of Ranma's back which causes him to be temporarily unable to walk after a few minutes. Once Akane has turned Ranma into a girl so he won't be embarrassed, she gives Ranma a piggyback home (Ranma thinks about what Dr. Tofu said earlier regarding Akane actually being a really sweet girl).

Dr. Tofu Intro
The next day, after Akane has scrutinised Ranma for his "lack of female modesty", Akane is faced with the male students again. Oddly though, they declare that they've accepted her engagement to Ranma and won't fight her in the morning anymore; albeit all of them except Kuno. Akane can't stand Kuno talking to Ranma (who Kuno dubs as his "pigtailed girl" since he doesn't know it's actually Ranma), so she leaves.

Later that day, while playing Baseball as part of her P.E. lesson, Akane inadvertently hits Ranma with the ball when is flies in his direction after she'd hit it. Subsequently, Ranma has to go and see Dr. Tofu after School so he can get patched up again.

Once at the clinic, Akane ends up answering a call for Genma (who's become Dr. Tofu's assistant but can't talk in his panda form). However, after she's finished Akane tries to leave as quickly as possible but is questioned by Ranma who wants to know what's going on. Akane reveals to Ranma that Dr. Tofu loves her sister, Kasumi.

When Kasumi appears and at the clinic, Dr. Tofu goes into his usual odd state around her. Akane soon decides she's had enough and abruptly leaves to go back to the Dojo. Some time passes and Akane breaks concrete blocks to distract herself from Dr. Tofu and Kasumi. Ranma, however, tries to cheer her up and the pair end up sparring with each other.

During the fight, Ranma tells Akane she's cute when she smiles which throws her off completely and Ranma touches her forehead, declaring himself the winner. That evening Akane thinks about what Ranma said and so looks at herself smiling in a mirror. This doesn't last long as Ranma soon appears outside her window asking if she always smiles at herself, which angers Akane and so she causes Ranma's neck to get stuck at a right angle again (it had previously been stuck by Dr. Tofu and accidentally fixed by Akane later on).

Ryoga Hibiki Intro
Involuntary, Akane is made to have Ranma (in his female form) try her clothes while all his are being washed. Eventually Ranma seems to have an outfit which fits, although Ranma says that chest is too tight and the hips are too big and is quickly attacked by Akane.

One week later, Akane meets Ryoga Hibiki for the first time where she observes Ranma explaining about his history with Ryoga. After Ryoga challenges Ranma to fight, that evening she helps Ranma remember about a feud over some bread the two had during middle School. When the time of the fight arrives, Akane watches the pair fight but is still in support of Ranma when she reveals that Ryoga's umbrella is extremely heavy so must be ridiculously strong.

As the fight goes on, Ranma turns into his female form out of sight to the other students. When Akane learns of this she tries to get some hot water for Ranma, but trips and is about to get hit by Ryoga's bandanas and umbrella until Ranma steps in manages to stop both. Ranma then takes Akane away from the fight and the pair end up having an awkward moment of silence, until being interrupted by Ryoga.

A bit later into the fight, Akane begins to argue with Ranma. When Ranma tries to talk to her, he has to kick Ryoga's arm, unfortunately, this causes it so spin uncontrollably and ultimately cuts Akane's hair when she turns to shout at Ranma. This obviously upsets Akane for the reasons why she grew it long, so leaves Ryoga and Ranma by slapping them both hard on the face.

Back at the Tendo Dojo, Akane thinks back to why she grew her and hair and early crush on Dr. Tofu (Ranma tries to cheer her up, but to no avail). She then has Kasumi (who's shocked at Akane's new look) clean up her hair. Akane leaves to get her ankle looked at by Dr. Tofu, and ends up being escorted there by Ranma after he learns of this. Once there, Dr. Tofu quickly fixes Akane's ankle. Suddenly, Akane starts crying on Dr. Tofu's chest and says that she can't stop.

Some time passes and Akane is walking back to the Dojo with Ranma silently. The pair begin talking again (during this time Akane reveals she's gotten over her crush on Dr. Tofu), resulting in Akane thanking Ranma for him saying he thinks her new hairstyle is cute. Of course with Ranma off guard, Akane uses the opportunity to jokingly poke his forehead and make him fall into the storm drain.

On a stormy night, Akane is awoken by Kasumi who believes she can hear a burglar. The pair head downstairs where they see a shadowed Ryoga who they believe to be the burglar. Akane eventually returns to her room, where she discovers a small black piglet (which is actually Ryoga's cursed form) and decides to make it her pet. After Ranma returns with a neighbours dog, Bess, she notices Ranma is about to take a bath and asks her to take the piglet as well since it's freezing from being in the rain. Ranma reluctantly agrees (while there Ranma learns that piglet is actually Ryoga).

Akane hears a lot of noise and when she looks to see what's going on, she sees Ranma chasing after her piglet. This causes Akane to protect her piglet from Ranma and kisses it so it won't cry anymore. She then proceeds take the piglet to bed with her. However, Akane doesn't get a very peaceful sleep as she is awoken by Ranma (who was pushed into Akane by the still-in-pig-form Ryoga) so, in anger, she throws Ranma out of the window. Next morning Akane wonders about how her family can have such varying opinions on this event.

Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics
Some days later, Akane is asked by the members of the Furinkan High Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics team to take their place in the upcoming match and avenge the defeat they were handed at the hands of Kodachi Kuno. Despite being sceptical at first, Akane agrees and begins to train for the match. During the training Akane also reveals she's named her piglet "P-chan", being short for "pig cute".

Unfortunately, Akane is hopeless at Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics, so Ryoga decides to turn back into his human form in order to help train her. Late into the evening, Ryoga decides to call it a night and so Akane decides to go to bed. Akane doesn't get chance to get some sleep however, as Kodachi was hiding in her room waiting for a chance to attack her.

A fight soon ensues between the pair, where Kodachi introduces herself to Akane. This doesn't last long, as Ranma (while chasing P-chan) slams Kodachi between the door and wall. Akane then takes the upper hand and so Kodachi quickly makes her exit, leaving Akane's room in a complete mess in the process.

A few minutes later, Akane tries to get some sleep, but can't due to Kodachi trying to have her way with Ranma over her portion of the roof. So to get some peace, Akane goes up to the roof and deals with the situation. Once Kodachi has finally left, she leaves the paralysed Ranma atop the cold roof all night.

The next day Akane is attacked by Kodachi again. Luckily, Kodachi gets distracted by Ranma's presence and begins to chase after him. After Kuno has allowed Kodachi to go steady with Ranma, Kodachi suggests they wager Ranma in the match. At first Akane couldn't careless, but after some more provoking by Kodachi she agrees.

The night before the match soon arrives and Akane continues to train for it. Unfortunately, while practising with Ranma she slips on a ball and so twists her ankle and is unable to compete. Ryoga then does some emergency training with Ranma's female form being the substitute for Akane.

After finding Ranma and Ryoga having been fighting each other all night, Akane worries if Ranma will be ready for the fight in her state. When they arrive at St. Hebereke's School for Girls, Akane helps Ranma avoid Kodachi's traps to make her unable to fight until the time of the match arrives.

When the match does finally begin, Akane watches as Ranma desperately tries to get Kodachi out of the ring. Akane also gives Ranma items like batons etc for her to use in the fight as well as giving general support. Most prominently, Akane produces a hosepipe which she uses to turn Ranma back into her female form before anyone notices. Once Kodachi is defeated, Akane watches as she sobs for losing her passion for Ranma and subsequent new passion for him (causing Ranma to collapse out of shock).