Big Trouble in Nekonron, China



Big Trouble in Nekonron, China (Ranma Nibunnoichi: Chūgoku Shinkonron Daikessen! Okite Yaburi no Gekitō Hen!, らんま1/2 中国寝崑崙大決戦! 掟やぶりの激闘篇!!) is the first movie of the Ranma ½ anime series.

When Prince Kirin of the 7 Lucky Gods shows up at the Tendo Dojo looking for his bride-to-be, guess who's accidentally holding the scroll that signifies his future mate? Why, Akane, of course, and the rest of the Ranma crew is forced to take a boat to China in order to save her from the horrors of marriage and a diet of pickled vegetables.

Another Day for Happosai
A woman is hanging a shirt out to dry and puts out her underwear to dry as well. However, after she walks back from the balcony she feels something's wrong and turns around, only to see Happosai on one of his usual panty raids. As the woman screams in terror, Happosai runs off yelling his usual "what a haul!". After jumping across several rooftops Happosai runs across the fence to a building site.

As Happosai runs across the fence, a black object amongst the building waste produces some red sparks. Happosai doesn't see this, but senses something, stops and looks behind him, he then declares "I see you there", however, this turns out to be a brasier someone's hug out to dry. The large black object then moves the streets of Furinkan as Happosai continues to take more panties (much to the distress and annoyance of their owners).

Having now collected a large number of panties in his arms, Happosai hugs them and pretends that they're saying they want to go with him. Meanwhile, the black object struggles to walk through the more narrow streets. Once again, Happosai sense something and turns around, he then runs on to another street thinking he's found what he's sensing, but it is actually a car which runs into Happosai and sends him flying into the air; as his underwear from his latest raid fall across Furinkan.

At the Tendo Dojo
With his raid being in vain, Happosai returns to the Dojo to steal some panties from the Tendo Sisters. After being careful to avoid Soun and Genma (who are playing a game of Go), Happosai's plan is ultimately foiled by Ranma who grabs Happosai on the washing line leading to the girls' underwear. Trying to squirm his way of this situation, Happosai first says he dropped something and when that fails he offers the split the panties with Ranma.

In response to this offer, Ranma (who's grabbed Happosai by the back of his shirt by this point) outright refuses the offer. Not giving up, Happosai then asks Ranma if he'll make him a deal, and in return he'll (Happosai) will give him a pair of Akane's panties. Ranma quickly answers by asking Happosai what would he want with that tomboy's panties.

Unfortunately for Ranma, Akane heard what he just said about calling her a tomboy. She then begins to remove the wire holding up the washing line which Ranma and Happosai are stood on, so both try to run off the line before she does. However, both are too slow so Akane then pulls on the line, causing it to bounce and make both Ranma and Happosai fall into the Koi pond.

Quickly emerging from the pond, Ranma (now in his female form) begins to shout at Akane asking why she did that as she was only... However, before Ranma can finish she notices the panties which Happosai placed in her hand when she was shouting. This sight makes Akane declare that she's finally seen Ranma's true colours of being a pervert, she then pulls out a mallet and tries to hit Ranma with it.

As Ranma tries to dodge Akane, Happosai makes a run for it and is followed by Ranma and Akane. While the trio leave, Nabiki appears and asks if they ever get tired of their constant fighting, while Kasumi shouts that dinner is ready.

The Great Chase
Elsewhere in Furinkan, Ryoga is wandering a street completely lost and wondering just where he could be this time. On the parallel street Happosai is being chased by Ranma and is loving the fact he's being chased by "two lovely girls". Ranma, who in turn, is being chased by Akane, tells Happosai to just give up, while Akane tells Ranma she's the one who should give up and takes at her with the mallet she's still carrying.

Ryoga hears the mallet clash followed by Akane's voice and wonders why he hears it wherever he goes. However, Ryoga then hears the voices of Ranma and Happosai so turns around confused, only to be met by the face of Happosai (which scares Ryoga) who then steps on his face. Ryoga is then subject to Ranma jumping off his back, sending Ryoga to the floor. This makes Ryoga have no doubt that that was Happosai and Ranma just then. Angered, Ryoga declares that they won't make a mockery of him, however, Akane (not looking where she's going) steps on Ryoga's head, but when she looks back and sees Ryoga she apologises to him.

This scene makes Ryoga decide that Happosai and Ranma must've done something horrible to Akane and so he must protect her from their evil clutches. Unfortunately, a Moped drives past and splashes the water in the puddle in front of Ryoga onto him, turning him into his cursed form. This only delays Ryoga slightly, however, as he's soon chasing after Ranma as well.

The chase has now ended up with Happosai and Ranma jumping over rooftops, with Ranma desperate to get Happosai to stop she decides to throw a roof tile at him. Unfortunately this has the opposite effect and Happosai ends up going faster (much to his delight) and flies through some woman's house. As Ranma calls Happosai a freak of nature, she hears a bike bell and is subsequently run over by Shampoo on her bike.

Shampoo proceeds to say Nihao to Ranma and continues by commenting on how beautiful a day it is, and that Ranma should go on a date with her this afternoon. Ranma gets out from under Shampoo's bike and demands to know what she's thinking of riding her bike on top of roofs. Shampoo just ignores Ranma and, while pouring some boiled water over her, tells Ranma to just take her on a date. With Shampoo hugging Ranma's waist the pair jump off the roof, however, when they land Akane is right next to them. Akane quickly throws a bucket of cold water over the pair, making Ranma run in fear of Shampoo's cat form. Shampoo, Akane and P-chan give chase.

As Ranma runs, she wonders why this is happening to her. Suddenly, Kuno appears from a side-street and tells the "pigtailed girl" to jump into his arms, however, Ranma just punches Kuno in the face and sends him flying. Kuno, while in the air, decides to follow his love.

With the group getting larger by the second, they pass the Cat Café, where Mousse is finishing off some noodles when he hears the group running past. Mousse asks Shampoo (although she obviously isn't there) if that was Ranma who just ran past, Cologne confirms that it was and she saw Shampoo as well; she also wonders what could be going on. Mousse, after putting his glasses back on, walks up to Cologne and mistakes her for Mackerel Jerky, this angers Cologne who sends Mousse flying out the window. Outside, Mousse makes a successful landing and shouts to Ranma that he's going to die for messing with his future bride. After Mousse runs off, Cologne leaves the Cat Café and thinks this situation looks interesting, so decides to follow as well.

Ukyo Kuonji is about to open Okonomiyaki Ucchan's when she notices the group run past. As she wonders what's going on, Tsubasa (disguised as the sign to Ucchan's) appears and beings rub Ukyo's buttocks with his head/the sign. Angered, Ukyo sends Tsubasa flying with the shop curtain she brought out with her. Realising she can't open her store with the curtain, Ukyo joins the chase as well.

The chase is now along the Furinkan High Street, and passes Mikado and Azusa. While Mikado remembers about his past encounters with the "pigtailed girl", Azusa notices her Charlotte (P-chan) and tells Mikado they should join them. Before Mikado can say anything, Azusa's shoes have become four-wheeled skates and she is chasing after the group as well (dragging Mikado by his scarf along with her).

As the chases continues down the High Street, the group passes Kodachi who removes her St. Hebereke's uniform (revealing her leotard underneath) and Principal Kuno, both of whom join in the chase as well. Happosai, meanwhile, is slightly out of breath and runs into a store and steals some food (not before telling them to send the bill to the Tendo Dojo, courtesy of Ranma Saotome). The food is quickly devoured by Happosai, who then decides to return to the Dojo for lunch.

Just then Happosai is grabbed from behind by Ranma (who's still running). Seeing who's grabbed him, Happosai asks Ranma who she's doing, to which Ranma turns Happosai to face behind her, revealing the extremely large crowd of people chasing after her. Happosai wonders if this is meant to be some kind of marathon, to which Ranma asks Happosai who he thinks is responsible for this fiasco and then proceeds to kick Happosai into the air. As Happosai screams while in the air, a Chinese woman is standing atop a tall Chimney and notices him. She then declares that she's at last found Happosai and lets out a loud whistle, which is picked up by the large black object from earlier.

Happosai lands safely, but is no running in front of Ranma and Akane again (who are still running from the large crowd behind them). Ranma then tells Happosai that as the master he should do something, however, Happosai says that as the pupil, Ranma must sacrifice himself so he can get out of this predicament. Akane then butts in and tells Ranma that this is all her fault as she does this every time. Ranma objects to Akane's view and demands she listen to her side of the story for once, Akane, however, asks Ranma is he has an excuse for his flirting with Shampoo. Ranma replies by telling Akane she didn't know she was the jealous type, to which Akane retorts that she's not the kind of girl to just shut up at a comment like that.

After Ranma insults Akane and says that she's not really a girl, they hear a large explosion from behind them and wonder what's going on. Behind the crowd the large black object appears and sends several of the chasers flying in every direction. It then attacks the rest of the group, much to their shock.

Back at the Dojo
Kasumi has set out the lunch, which Genma (now in his human form), Soun, Nabiki and Kasumi herself are enjoying. After Genma compliments Kasumi on her cooking, she begins to wonder when the others will return, to which Genma replies that he's sure they'll smell her food and come running. At that moment, the ground begins to shake, and Nabiki gets up and walks off, saying that it sounds like they're already on their way.

Nabiki is right, and as soon as she leaves Soun, Genma and Kasumi are sent flying by all the others arriving. With the living room now ruined, Soun goes to Ranma (who turned back into his male form thanks to a teapot spilling on him) and demands that he and Akane explains themselves. Nabiki pokes her head through the remains of the door and tells Soun what she expects them to explain when he should look behind him. Soun does, and sees the large back creature from a few moments earlier.

While Soun screams in terror, the black object begins to reduce in size, ultimately revealing it to be a simple elephant. After Kasumi comments on how cute she thinks the elephant is, Cologne explains that it isn't an ordinary elephant as what they thought was it's body was actually the aura of it's fighting spirit.

At this point, Akane comes to on Ranma's lap and punches him, while asking him what he thinks he's doing. Ryoga also appears (still steaming from the hot water he poured on himself) and asks Akane is she's all right. The elephant then notices that Happosai is stuck in the door above the trio, so breathes in until Happosai is pulled out, and begins to beat up Happosai by landing on him.

A whistle is then heard by the elephant, so it turns and holds out if truck, so as the Chinese woman seen earlier can stand on it. The Chinese girl dismounts from the elephant, and says "Good girl, Jasmine" (at this point, Akane wonders if the woman is an elephant trainer). The Chinese woman then looks at Happosai and throws half a scroll at his head, which bounces into Akane's hands.

Referring to herself in the third-person, the woman identifies herself as Lychee and she demands of Happosai that he gives her her childhood back!

A Storm Brews
Lightning then begins to fall behind Lychee and Jasmine, and soon a large flying ship appears from the clouds and makes it's way to the Tendo Dojo. Everyone looks at the flying boat, except Lychee who gets annoyed at being ignored by everyone while she's talking. Some of the passengers of the boat come into view, one being a man holding a bowl of rice and some long chopsticks. The man then begins to laugh and introduces himself as Kirin, one the patrons of Seven Lucky Gods Martial Arts.

Lychee calls Kirin her prince. Kirin then declares that he has at last found the one chosen by the Seven Lucky Gods who shall come with them. Hearing this, Lychee runs towards Kirin and declares that he's come to make her happy for ever after. Kirin, however, asks Lychee who she is and continues by saying he has no business with her as she does not posses the scroll.

As Lychee is set aback by this statement, Nabiki puts her hand on Akane's shoulder and asks if she thinks he's talking about the scroll she's holding. Just then Kirin notices that Akane is holding the scroll, he calls Ebiten who uses a long fishing line to bring Akane up to the ship. Ryoga runs to save Akane, but is used as a jumping off point by Ranma so he can reach the ship.

Ranma manages to get to the ship and tries to punch Kirin, however, Kirin stops Ranma's attack with his chopsticks alone; much to Ranma's shock and confusion. Kirin tells Ranma not assume he can step aboard his ship and that as punishment he'll feel the wrath of the "Pinch of a Hundred Chopsticks". The attack Kirin the performs sends him back to the ground, and land on Ryoga.

Despite Ranma wanting to continue the fight, Kirin leaves with Akane declaring that now the two scrolls can be joined, the world will be theirs. The clouds above the ship clear, revealing the large ballon holding the ship in the air. The ship then leaves. Lychee doesn't want her prince to leave, so desperately tries to keep up with on the back of Jasmine.

After Kirin Leaves
Some time has passed since Kirin left, and Soun has been reduced to an almost incoherent state due to the events which have taken place to his daughter and Dojo. As Soun sings to himself, Shampoo bandages Ranma's arm while Mousse wonders what the ultimate technique they talked about actually is. Happosai, meanwhile, nods in thought with himself but is soon noticed by Ryoga who demands to know what Happosai knows since his face is telling them he knows something.

At this point, Cologne pipes up and says the Seven Lucky Gods are great warriors from a remote region in China, Nekonron. She continues by staring at Happosai and wondering out loud that she is curious as to why they would've come to Japan. This finally forces Happosai to agree to explain that situation.

Happosai explains that when he was 18 he came across a strange procession, where he sees a young maiden who he learns is going to be sacrificed so the Scrolls of the Seven Lucky Gods can become one again. This news angers Happosai, who decides to steal half of the Scrolls but gets severely injured during the attempt, leaving him with only enough strength to crawl ashore. There he is found by a young Jasmine and Lychee, who are given the Scroll by Happosai.

Remembering all this makes Happosai very emotional and so he begins to sob, but is soon angered when he realises nobody is listening anymore. Nabiki interjects that she was listening, but basically sums up Happosai's story as if he hadn't taken that Scroll Akane wouldn't have been kidnapped. Ranma then notes that this must mean Akane's being used as some sort of sacrifice, setting a high tension in the room. Suddenly, Ryoga declares he's going to Nekonron, but is soon shot down by Ranma due to his lack of direction and soon Ranma, Shampoo and Mousse agree to go as well.

Soun is touched by this strong sense of friendship and then scares Happosai and Genma into going with them as well. On the spur of the moment everyone is hyped up to go to Nekonron, until Kasumi bursts everyone's bubble by politely asking Ranma how he plans to get to China. At this moment, Kuno breaks through the door and offers his assistance, including the use of his family boat, Subdragon V. Ranma, Ryoga and Soun thank Kuno for his help.

Off to China
Everyone is in Kuno's boat, however, the boat is just a simple rowing boat with Mousse and Ryoga doing the rowing. Ranma isn't surprised that this has happened, and begins to wonder if they'll make it to China at all in this thing. Happosai, meanwhile, is thinking about Akane and how much he longs to see her. However, Happosai then pulls out one of Akane's Bras, which is noticed by Ryoga and questions Happosai what he's holding. When Happosai reveals that it is Akane's Bra, Ryoga go berserk and begins hitting Happosai with the oar. Ranma tells Ryoga to stop, but Ryoga replies he won't until Happosai's feeding the fish of Pacific Ocean (Shampoo corrects Ryoga, saying that they're in the Sea of Japan).

The inevitable happens and the boat capsizes, leaving Genma, Ranma and Soun to do all the swimming while Ryoga, Mousse, Shampoo (all in their cursed forms), Happosai and an unconscious Kuno are carried. Luckily this doesn't last long as Shampoo notices as large Ship coming towards them. Ranma tries to get their attention, but everyone is shocked when they see Jasmine on the Ship, meaning Lychee must be there as well.

Meanwhile, back on Kirin's flying Ship, Akane is formally introduced to Kirin. Akane, however, is still angry about being kidnapped and demands an explanation about what's going on. Despite Ebiten's protests about how informal and rude Akane is addressing Kirin, Kirin tells Ebiten not to worry. Kirin then reminds Akane that she is to become his bride, as according to Nekonron law the holders of the two halves of the Scrolls must marry and Kirin is the holder of the other half.

Kirin then asks Akane is they shall begin their new lives together, continuing by asking Ebiten if that's what he's meant to say to which Ebiten replies he said it correctly. Akane, on the other hand, is getting even more angry at these statements and so tries to punch Kirin only for him to block with his Chopsticks. Unfortunately for Kirin, Akane then uses her other hand and manages to punch Kirin in the face and send him slamming into the large pot he was previously sat on.

As Kirim lies motionless the pickle on the bowl of rice he was carrying falls. This causes an extremely negative reaction from one of the other Seven Lucky Gods (who Kirin later identifies as Bishamonten), who is about to attack Akane for laying a hand on Prince Kirin. However, before he can, Kirin stands back up and tells him not to, opting instead to lock Akane where she can't anyone any harm.

Akane is soon thrown into a cell (although the tight space makes it appear more like a closet) and given a meal of Rice and Pickles, much to her distaste. After complaining about the meal, Akane pulls back a small curtain so she can see the moon. At that moment Akane thinks about Ranma and says his name, before putting her head on her knees.

Back with Ranma
Ranma and co are trying to get abroad Lychee's boat, but are continually being thrown back into the ocean by Jasmine. After Ranma's attempt Kuno regains consciousness and Shampoo also lands on her head, this causes Ranma's Ailurophobia to set it and she (while carrying the pair of Kuno and Shampoo) quickly gets aboard the boat. Unfortunately Ranma keeps running until she bumps into Lychee, who screams and so Jasmine promptly throws them back into the ocean.

Ranma has had enough now so demands that Lychee lets them onboard. Kuno quickly tries to make a move on his pigtailed girl, but is just as quickly rendered unconscious by Ranma again. Soun and Genma also join in with trying to convince Lychee to let them onboard. These comments causes Lychee to bring out a megaphone and tell the trio to shut up. She continues by saying that they have the nerve to ask her for a ride when they took her prince away from her.

Just then some steam appears behind Lychee along with Happosai's voice, saying that she's only too right and they should go off on their own. Happosai (revealed to be enjoying some tea) then rubs his head against Lychee's back, much to her displeasure, and is soon thrown off the ship and high into the air by Jasmine. With Happosai gone, Lychee explains about how she's traveled 1000s of miles to find her prince and so she deserves him; she then continues by becoming teary-eyed and wanting her prince to return to her.

During Lychee's amateur dramatics, Ranma and co have finally gotten aboard the ship and have started a fire to dry themselves off. When Lychee realises no one is paying attention to her, she shouts at the group through her megaphone again. Happosai then suddenly reappears and tells Lychee not to worry; and that a kiss will make it all better. Obviously, Lychee is disgusted by this and instructs Jasmine to throw Happosai to the floor of the ship and stand on him (much to the excitement of Ranma, Soun and Genma).

Unfortunately, Happosai dodges at the last second, causing Jasmine to make a hole in the bottom of the ship. As Happosai addresses his students' betrayal, water begins to spout out of the hole made by Jasmine. Some time passes and Genma, Ryoga, Shampoo and Mousse are removing the water that got onboard, while Soun and Kuno man the oars (much to Kuno's distaste). Ranma, meanwhile, is plugging up the hole made by Jasmine, by using Happosai (who'd been beaten up by Soun, Genma and Ranma earlier) along with some rope and a few boxes.

After Lychee comes to inspect Ranma's handiwork and decides she's done a good job of it, Ranma asks her why she came to the Tendo's anyway. Lychee then quickly grabs Ranma's shirt (at first seeming angry) and asks Ranma if she really wants to hear what she's gone through, Ranma agrees so Lychee begins that it all started when she was six years old...

Kirin Arrives in China
Kirin's ship has finished crossing the ocean and is now over a Mountain range. Inside, Akane has been allowed out and is having breakfast with Kirin. However, Akane is soon frustrated with the food she is presented with (Rice with a range of pickled vegetables) and decides that she's not hungry. Kirin at first thinks something's wrong and asks someone to get Akane a digestive, but she quickly explains that isn't the problem and asks Kirin if he doesn't get board eating the same food day-after-day. Kirin reputes this by saying that yesterday they had pickled cucumber, this causes Akane to reiterate what she said by suggesting animal-based foods.

This shocks Kirin who misunderstands what Akane is talking about. Just then Ebiten walks up and says it's traditional for the people of Nekonron to eat Rice and pickled vegetables. Akane gives up and so angrily walks out of the room. She continues to walk away, until her stomach growls (to her slight embarrassment).

Meanwhile, Ranma and co are nearly at China themselves and Ranma reiterates what Lychee told her. It turns out the Scroll was given to her ten years ago by her Grandmother, who got it from a man called Happosai. Lychee adds that tragedy follows her wherever she goes, with her house burning down and having Pirates attack her. Disguising themselves as a group of traveling acrobats to get into the Harbour, Genma asks Soun why it's called the "Scroll of Luck" when it contains a Secret Technique. Soun says he has no idea, to which Ranma says he thinks Happosai probably skipped out on paying a restaurant bill and left the Scroll saying "have this and one day your prince will come". Lychee hears this comment of Ranma's and asks how he knew her family ran a restaurant, Happosai said they shouldn't dwell on the past as Lychee has forgiven him now. Lychee, however, disagrees.

Trivia

 * When originally played in Japan this film was part of a double-feature with Urusei Yatsura: Always My Darling.
 * The films's title is a parody of 1986 film, Big Trouble in Little China.
 * When Ryoga gets hit by Happosai an image of a blond man followed by an image of Happosai flash on the screen, then when Ryoga gets kicked by Ranma a white cat (mostly likely Maomolin) flashes on the screen.
 * This movie debuted between the episodes Ryoga Inherits the Saotome School? and Tendo Family Goes to the Amusement Park!.
 * In the sub, Akane asks if they have any Pigs in a blanket (causing Kirin to ask about them cooking Pigs in bedding), while in the dub this is changed to fried eggs (instead causing Kirin to question her about eating bird embryos).
 * Both the dub and sub mention Hamburgers.
 * When Akane is sneaking out to the kitchen in order to cook something, she briefly has a see-through hand.