During a martial arts training trip in China, Ranma Saotome and his father Genma were involved in an accident that cursed them: whenever they are splashed with cold water, Ranma turns into a girl, and his father becomes a panda! Only hot water can reverse these transformations, but any further exposure to cold water restarts the cycle. The problems do not stop there, as Ranma discovers he is engaged to one of the daughters of Soun Tendou, his father's closest friend. At the families' first meeting, it is decided that Ranma will marry Akane, the youngest daughter, a decision that meets with strong protests from both sides. The two are simply incompatible, yet they are forced to live under the same roof. Ranma's condition adds to the chaos, leading to a series of comedic situations and misunderstandings that, in the grand scheme of things, may just be what he needs to work things out with Akane.