Ranma 1/2: One Page Per Volume, Part 33

[rainsometimes]

Art is flipped and reads left to right

I don't care how hackneyed a trope de-aging may be in general: this story from volume 33 where Ranma and Ryoga shrink back to six-year-olds in body if not in mind -- though their impulse control might just be poorer than usual -- is still a sheer delight. As so often, Takahashi's sure hand and impeccable pacing makes the difference. Unlike some other fine stories with this trope, she doesn't really pack any fluff into the comedy here (apart from one impossibly adorable title page image ♥), let alone any serious drama. Nope, it's all fast-paced farce as usual! But highly enjoyable. And these two morons are just so cute as mini-morons!

(I liked it so much I once borrowed the age-shrinking mushrooms and everything about how they work for a One Piece fanfic, crediting the source.)

It was also interesting that when the boys are hit by cold water while under the age-changing curse, Ranma turns into a six-year-old girl while P-chan is the same size and strength as usual. Well, it does make sense... a piglet is much, much younger than six, after all!