For folks who have already finished binging through the Marvel and Prime Video collaboration that is Spider-Noir, we have some good news for you. While there may not be another show out there quite like the adventures of Nicolas Cage‘s web-slinging super-sleuth, there are other superhero, noir, and detective stories out there that echo many of the same ideas, themes, or even visual cues. We’ve put together a list of some of the best like-minded programs that you ought to give a try once you finish up this new Amazon triumph.

No matter if you prefer black-in-white or vibrant color, we’ve got nearly a dozen different shows that might speak to your Spider-Noir sensibilities. From uncompromising superhero adventures to detective dramas to period programs not unlike the aforementioned Depression-era drama, you’ll find plenty of great crime stories here to sink your teeth into. So, jump on in and prepare for your next case, because you won’t want to fall into “the big sleep” when watching these shows.

‘Perry Mason’ (1957–1966)

Image via CBS

Based on the character created by Erle Stanley Gardner, Perry Mason is probably one of the first names that comes to mind when you think of early 20th century detective fiction. The original CBS program aired for nine seasons and 271 episodes, meaning that there’s more than enough material for viewers to binge through if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional. Raymond Burr played the title criminal defense lawyer, who always went above and beyond to solve whatever case he was working on.

Burr would go on to star in 30 more made-for-TV movies as the character, solidifying his definitive take years before the HBO series that hit TV screens in 2020. Of course, for something a bit more modern, you could watch the newer Perry Mason series, but be warned, it’s a TV-MA production, so it will trade the original’s subtleties for more explicit material. If you stick with the original, however, you’ll have more than enough great TV-sized detective fiction to pick and choose from.

‘Peter Gunn’ (1958–1961)

Image via NBC

One of the few TV detective shows not to be based on a pre-existing character, Peter Gunn ran for three seasons and followed the title hero played by Craig Stevens. Created by Blake Edwards of The Pink Panther fame, the NBC-turned-ABC program was another LA-based piece of detective fiction that followed a well-dressed “private eye” as he rolls around the City of Angels looking for trouble. Okay, maybe not looking for trouble, but as a private detective, he may as well be.

Although not on our list of classic detective shows that no one remembers, Peter Gunn deserves an honorable mention for its impressive take on the genre that will no doubt entertain Spider-Noir fans. If you’re looking for even more beyond these 114 episodes, Edwards later directed a feature film starring Stevens simply titled Gunn. Years later, Edwards would revisit the material once more with a made-for-TV reboot film, but Stevens was no longer involved.

‘Jessica Jones’ (2015–2019)

Image via Netflix

For something a bit more Marvel-styled but still in line with the world of detective fiction, Jessica Jones may be just what the Spider ordered. A neo-noir in the style of an anti-superhero series, this Marvel/Netflix production was a part of the larger The Defenders saga, but it stood on its own as a New York-style mystery about another ex-hero-turned-PI who takes down those haunting her. Created by Melissa Rosenberg, this may be the perfect complementary piece to Spider-Noir.

Krysten Ritter is an inspired cast as the titular PI, who effortlessly turns a gritty detective drama into a psychological thriller that’s barely a superhero show at all. But don’t let that get you down if you’re expecting costumes and capes. Over its three seasons and 39 episodes (more if you include The Defenders), the show more than proves itself as a memorable Marvel outing. Unlike Spider-Noir, however, Jessica Jones is a TV-MA — so take that how you will.

‘The Penguin’ (2024)

Speaking of gritty, TV-MA comic book-inspired projects, spinning off from Matt Reeves‘ The Batman is HBO’s The Penguin. Now, admittedly, this is more of a crime drama than it is a detective thriller, but considering its ties to superhero stories and grounding in the criminal underworld, we thought it deserved at least a mention here. Although it only lasted a single eight-episode season, fans of the DC Comics that inspired it will likely go all-in on this Batman-adjacent gangster series.

The Penguin stars Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb, who has just now risen to greater heights in the eyes of Gotham City’s criminal underbelly. As Oz fights to secure his power, the looming threat of the GCPD and the Dark Knight (not to mention rivals to his own empire) push him to embrace his full villainous potential. It’s a bit of an opposite-side-of-the-coin from Spider-Noir, but there are plenty of great plot twists that keep the excitement going.

‘Philip Marlowe, Private Eye’ (1983–1986)

Image via HBO

Considering that Nicolas Cage based his performance as Ben Reilly/the Spider off Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep, this wouldn’t be a complete list without Philip Marlowe, Private Eye. A bit of a lesser-known adaptation of Raymond Chandler‘s iconic detective, this two-season series brought to life several of the author’s noir tales with Powers Boothe front-and-center as Marlowe himself. Although it only lasted 11 episodes, that’s still longer than Spider-Noir‘s first season!

As HBO’s first long-form series, Philip Marlowe, Private Eye was something of an outlier on television when it first aired, but it still holds up quite well. As the character’s only television appearance, it’s one you won’t want to sleep on, especially with Boothe in the title role. It may not be one of the best Chandler movie adaptations, but it’s got plenty of style.

‘A Private Affair’ (2022)

Image via Prime Video

For something a bit more out-of-the-box, give Prime Video’s other noir-style murder mystery series a try. A Spanish production, A Private Affair is an original 1940s period drama that follows the frustrated Marina Quiroga (Aura Garrido) after she witnesses a murder, determined to solve the case herself in spite of her police commissioner brother Arturo (Pablo Molinero). Along with the help of her butler, Hector (Jean Reno), Marina finds that tracking down a killer is more trouble than she could ever have imagined.

If you’re looking for a great crime mystery series to binge through, this eight-episode Prime Video drama may just be what you’re looking for. Although set a decade later than Spider-Noir (and in Spain rather than NYC), A Private Affair will be a quick watch for those who find themselves enraptured in the intrigue that murder mysteries present. While the series does offer an English dub, you’re better off watching with subtitles.

‘Agent Carter’ (2015–2016)

Image via ABC

For another Marvel-sized period drama that takes a familiar character and tosses them into a new environment, give Agent Carter a try. Set years after Captain America: The First Avenger, the ABC series was an Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. prequel that gave Hayley Atwell new life as Agent Peggy Carter, now a Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) operative who battles enemies of America following World War II. Set in the immediate postwar-era, Marvel’s Agent Carter is a spy fiction series that deserved more airtime.

Spanning two seasons and 18 episodes, Agent Carter leans a bit more into the espionage elements than Spider-Noir, but both period Marvel shows certainly highlight heroes in the midst of investigations that take serious turns. While Marvel Studios has been working overtime to make “Captain Carter” happen (and they should stop), Agent Carter is a reminder that the character works best as a super-spy who battles the threats that Captain America and those like him leave behind. As one live-action superhero series most forget about, it deserves another look.

‘Sugar’ (2024–Present)

Image via Apple TV

Somehow, Colin Farrell has made it onto this list twice, with Apple TV’s Sugar being a breakout hit in the neo-noir mystery space. This time following contemporary Los Angeles private eye John Sugar (Farrell), the series takes its hero on season-long investigations into modern problems that feel distinctly period despite the 21st century setting. Fans of Spider-Noir will love it.

Blending some sci-fi elements in with the neo-noir genre gives Sugar an edge on most like-minded programs, but it’s Farrell who is really at the center of the show’s success. Created by Mark Protosevich, the AppleTV series is about to enter its second season, making now the perfect time for newcomers to hop into the passenger’s seat. This one will be perfect for your next summer binge.

‘Spider-Man: The New Animated Series’ (2003)

Image via MTV

We couldn’t highlight shows like Spider-Noir without offering viewers at least one Spider-Man show to choose from. While there are plenty of great Spidey programs out there, from the simply superb The Spectacular Spider-Man to the classic Spider-Man: The Animated Series, there’s one animated series in particular that fans of Spider-Noir may enjoy most — funny enough, it’s not Ultimate Spider-Man, which actually included the Spider-Man Noir character in a small Spider-Verse arc. No, we’re talking about MTV’s Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, which is a bit of a trip, but one certainly worth crawling walls for.

Meant to serve as a 3D animated continuation of Sam Raimi‘s first Spider-Man movie, Neil Patrick Harris voiced Peter Parker/Spider-Man as he and his friend attended Empire State University. While there, Spidey went up against some of his most heinous foes, and the series itself tackled some adult themes not often explored in cartoons made for younger viewers. Although the 13-episode series ended on a cliffhanger, it’s still a Spider-Man series that deserves some praise for its attempts to expand beyond the usual Marvel fare.

‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ (2024–Present)

Image via Prime Video

No “shows like Spider-Noir” list could possibly be complete without some reference to Batman: Caped Crusader. Another Prime Video production, this DC Comics adaptation by Bruce Timm of Batman: The Animated Series fame took the Dark Knight back to the 1940s for a complete period makeover. The show delves into the noir genre as well as speculative pulp fiction that resembles some of Batman’s (Hamish Linklater) earliest comic book adventures.

While reception to Caped Crusader has been somewhat mixed, the concept itself is close enough to Spider-Noir that audiences will find a kindred spirit in this animated superhero series. With a 10-episode first season, the Batman program is set for a second season to premiere sometime later this year, so fans won’t have to wait too long for more. At the very least, some of Caped Crusader‘s best villains are fascinating re-imaginings of the Dark Knight’s greatest foes.

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Batman: Caped Crusader

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Release Date

August 1, 2024

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Prime Video

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Showrunner

Bruce Timm

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Directors

Christina Sotta, Christopher Berkeley, Matt Peters

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Anthony Dawson, better known online as TooTurntTony, built a multimillion-dollar social media empire on viral chaos, backyard pranks, bikini-clad skits, and increasingly outrageous stunts. But behind the beer-chugging videos and duck-filled antics, new claims are painting a far more complicated picture of the influencer’s life off-camera.

The 31-year-old content creator, who boasts more than 21 million TikTok followers, is facing renewed scrutiny after details surfaced about an explicit OnlyFans account, legal troubles, and bombshell allegations from an ex-girlfriend who described their relationship as “super toxic.”

While Dawson’s public image largely revolves around over-the-top comedy skits and party-fueled content, the influencer has reportedly been operating a much more explicit business behind the scenes.

Since late 2023, Dawson has allegedly run an OnlyFans account where subscribers pay $25 a month for adult content that goes far beyond his family-friendly social media persona. According to reports, the content includes revealing photos, underwear modeling, and explicit videos involving women, a sharp contrast from the prank-heavy brand that helped turn Dawson into one of social media’s most recognizable personalities.

The Michigan native, who first gained traction creating videos about wetland conservation and duck ranching, later transformed his online fame into a lucrative business empire. The influencer has landed major brand deals with companies including Crocs, Celsius, Fireball Whisky, and Kraken Rum, launched his own hard iced tea brand, signed with talent agency CAA, and even has a horror movie, Skinwalker Island, reportedly in development.

Ex Describes Relationship As ‘Super Toxic’

Meanwhile, Dawson’s former girlfriend, Briana Armbruster, better known to fans as Ski Mask Girl, is opening up about their years-long relationship. Armbruster, who frequently appeared alongside Dawson in viral videos while concealing her identity beneath a ski mask, recently spoke candidly about the relationship on her podcast, “F-ck It, Mask Off.”

According to Armbruster, things quickly spiraled after she and Dawson met while she worked as a waitress in Michigan. She alleged Dawson encouraged her to wear revealing outfits for increasingly extreme comedy skits and described the dynamic as controlling.

Armbruster claimed the ski mask was not simply part of the brand, but a way to limit her visibility. “The point was to hide your face,” she said, alleging Dawson did not want her receiving “free clout.”

The influencer also described behind-the-scenes tension, claiming she often played the role of a loyal partner while Dawson partied with other women.

Dangerous Stunts Allegedly Came With Real Consequences

Armbruster also detailed several painful experiences while filming Dawson’s content. In one alleged stunt, she claimed Dawson spit beer, soup, and raw eggs into her mouth through the ski mask, later saying she contracted salmonella and spent an entire day sick.

Another prank reportedly became a breaking point in their relationship after a golf-themed stunt went painfully wrong. The controversies surrounding Dawson’s content extend beyond his ex’s claims.

Over the years, several stunts have reportedly left friends and family injured. In one video, Dawson’s mother, Lisa, broke her arm. His sister, Maria, allegedly became ill after being duct-taped to a wall, while an intern reportedly claimed he suffered two broken ribs after being shoved down an embankment during filming.

Even Dawson himself has not escaped injury, previously filming the aftermath of a serious knee injury in 2023.

TooTurntTony Faced Legal Trouble Over Shark Stunts

Dawson’s content has also landed him in legal trouble. In 2024, the influencer was reportedly banned from Daytona Beach after sharing footage of himself dragging a tiger shark from the water.

In a separate case, Dawson faced charges tied to the mishandling of a protected sandbar shark in Lee County, Florida. He later resolved the matter by paying $700 in fines and donating to a state wildlife fund.

At the time, Dawson called the ordeal “a learning experience.” “Don’t film dumb sh-t,” he told fans. “But if you have to, don’t post it.”

Psychologist Warns Viral Fame Could Be Catching Up To TooTurntTony

Psychologist Toby Ingham, author of “A Guilty Victim,” suggested Dawson’s increasingly chaotic public persona may reflect the darker side of influencer culture. “He’s living out a fantasy life encouraged by fans and by social media itself, but it’s not sustainable,” Ingham said. “What happens when you run out of fuel, when the balloon bursts, and you just fall to the ground? There’s no safety net for you.”

The psychologist described Dawson’s online image as a “shadow fantasy” built around excess, impulsivity, and spectacle. “He’s got this charismatic, funny, creative energy. But it’s without any anchor, without any kind of moral foundation,” Ingham said. “It’s just energy – like a firework going off. It could go anywhere, and it could harm anyone, but on the way, it’s spectacular.”

For now, Dawson continues posting content to millions of loyal fans. But between the ex-girlfriend allegations, legal troubles, and growing scrutiny surrounding his off-camera life, cracks may be beginning to show in the influencer’s carefully crafted TooTurntTony empire.

“Real Housewives of Miami” star Lenny Hochstein is being sued by a Jane Doe who claimed that the famous plastic surgeon sexually assaulted her. The claims come weeks after Lenny’s ex-wife, Lisa Hochstein, and her boyfriend, Jody Glidden, were arrested and accused of intercepting Lenny’s private phone calls.

According to TMZ, an unnamed woman filed a lawsuit against Lenny Hochstein, accusing him of luring her to his Star Island mansion and later drugging and sexually assaulting her.

The lawsuit states that Doe was visiting Miami from London in May 2025 when she met Lenny at a club. Doe then claimed that Lenny invited her back to his home for an after party. However, when she arrived, there was no after party happening.

In the documents, Doe claimed Lenny hit on her incessantly and later gave her a pill to help her sleep, which she reportedly took because she trusted him.

Doe claimed that the pill made her black out, and when she woke up the next day, Lenny told her that they had sex even though she rejected his advances earlier in the day.

Elsewhere in the legal documents, Doe said that Lenny told her the pill he gave her was melatonin, but after researching, she concluded that it was actually Ambien.

Lenny Hochstein’s Ex-Wife, Lisa Hochstein, Was Arrested And Accused Of Intercepting His Phone Calls

The lawsuit comes two months after Lenny’s ex-wife, Lisa Hochstein, and her boyfriend, Jody Glidden, were arrested and accused of intercepting Lenny’s private phone calls.

According to The Blast, the “Real Housewives” star was charged with one count of interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications.

The original report claimed that Lisa “unlawfully and intentionally” intercepted Lenny’s phone calls between March 12 and March 31 of 2023.

The legal documents claimed that Lisa and Lenny allegedly planted a “listening device” in Lenny’s car in order to gain information about their contentious divorce battle.

Lisa’s representative initially responded to the accusations, saying, “There is no truth to that. It seems as if they are just trying to distract everyone with their lies. This court has already sided with Lisa on many of these issues, including the lies that are being presented by the woman who broke up their home and family.”

Lisa Hochstein Receives A Major Break In Her Case

Lisa and Glidden received a big break in their case in May 2026, per The Blast. The pair reached an agreement with prosecutors that would have all charges dropped later this year.

In order to move on from the matter, Lisa and Glidden are required to complete a pretrial diversion program offered by the state of Florida. It’s an alternative that’s offered to non-violent offenders without prior legal trouble.

The program is used to help give Florida community members that chance to “make significant changes in their lives so they can avoid further involvement with the criminal justice system.”

Lisa And Lenny Are ‘Trying’ To Co-Exist

Lisa and Lenny’s marital downfall was shown on season 5 of “RHOM.” According to Bravo’s Daily Dish, Lisa said that things between the pair had only gotten worse.

“Look, we’re just trying to coexist,” she said, adding that Lenny isn’t the “easiest guy to deal with” before saying she’s trying her best for her children.

On an episode of the “Two Ts In a Pod” podcast, Lisa added, “I don’t know if we will ever be friends … My goal is to just be a good co-parent with him because ultimately, that’s all I care about: the kids and their well-being.”

‘RHOM’ Is On Pause

The ongoing drama won’t be shown on Bravo any time soon due to the network putting “RHOM” on pause. TMZ reported on the news in March 2026, revealing a source confirmed the network decided to move forward with other shows.

This isn’t the first time “The Real Housewives of Miami” has gone on hiatus, either. After the first three seasons aired from 2011 to 2013, Bravo halted production on the series before NBC brought the show back for season 4 on Peacock. It was later moved to Bravo for season 6 and season 7.

Fans are droppin’ questions after Bianca Censori posted an interesting photo for Ye‘s birthday.

RELATED: UPDATE: Bianca Censori’s Mom Speaks Out Following Her Jaw-Dropping Ensemble At The Grammys

 Bianca Censori Posted An Interesting Photo For Ye’s Birthday

On Sunday, June 7, Bianca Censori took to her Instagram Story to share a few early posts in celebration of Ye’s birthday on June 8. Furthermore, in an initial, now-deleted post, Censori shared a photo of herself and, apparently, Ye lip-locking through what appears to be shower glass. Then, in a follow-up post, Censori posted a full photo of Ye, along with a caption expressing that she loves him more than life.

See the photos below.

Fans Are Droppin’ Questions

Social media users slid in TSR’s comment section with questions regarding the initial shower photo.

Months Before Bianca Censori Posted An Interesting Photo For Ye’s Birthday, North & Her Made Headlines

Months before Bianca Censori posted her birthday message for Ye, she made headlines alongside North West. As The Shade Room previously reported, in December 2025, photos and clips surfaced of the West kids out at Disney alongside Ye and Bianca Censori. In particular, North caught the attention of cameras and social media users with her facial expressions.

RELATED: North West Has The Internet Going Off Over Her Facial Expression In Holiday Photo With Ye & His Wife Bianca Censori

Photos recently surfaced of “Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen with what appeared to be a new boyfriend, Kevin Sobieski. Now, days later, the “Housewives” executive producer is opening up about his beau, revealing that he believes him to be the one.

Cohen’s confirmation of his relationship comes days after he received the Variety Creative Impact in Television Award, more than 20 years into his career.

Cohen took to his SiriusXM show, “Radio Andy,” to confirm that the rumors about him having a boyfriend were true. After being asked about his relationship status by his co-host, he responded in the clip, “I do, and I’m really happy to say that I met the person, you guys.”

After that, the “WWHL” host stated that they met at a Fourth of July party in 2025. He set the scene, recalling, “So, it was 11 months ago, and I saw him from across the party.” Cohen then shared that he came close to not attending the party.

He continued, “And I dragged myself out. I never get invited to gay parties in the Hamptons anymore, and I was like, ‘You know what? Let me just go.’”

Andy Says He And His New Boyfriend Bonded Right Away

Cohen continued to recall his first meeting with his now-partner. According to him, “We talked all night. I very methodically put my number in his phone, and apparently I said to him twice that night, ‘I want to make sure this number is right.’”

From there, Andy described his boyfriend as “kind and strong and smart.” He confirmed that his boyfriend has met his two kids, saying, “And he loves my children, and they love him, and I love him.”

He went on, “And we have been so slow, and deliberate, and methodical about introducing getting to know each other and introducing him to the kids and just entering him into the equation of my family so slowly. Cohen then called the process “so easy.”

The “Housewives” executive continued reflecting, noting, “One year later, I still can’t believe I found him.” Regarding why he didn’t confirm the relationship sooner, Cohen said that he wanted to be “smart and slow” about his love life before speaking out.

Bravo Fans Are Happy For Cohen

Following Cohen’s confirmation that he’d found love, social media users are weighing in, revealing how happy they are for the host and his boyfriend. One person said on X, “Oh my GOD- listening to this just warmed up my entire soul. I am so, so happy for Andy Cohen.”

Another person noted, “They are both hot. Good for him.” Someone else chimed in, writing, “Yay!! Love this for Andy.” A different Bravo fan wrote, “Good for him….everyone deserves happiness.”

Lastly, another social media user gave their say, “Andy Cohen is not my favorite person by far, but he sounds so happy. Almost teared up when he called the man ‘the one.’ Now I’m actually crying.”

The ‘Watch What Happens Live’ Host Recently Opened Up About His Career

Cohen received the Variety Creative Impact in Television Award on June 5 at the Newport Beach TV Fest. Ahead of the honor, he opened up in an interview with Variety about his more than two-decade career in media.

Regarding how he organizes his day-to-day life, Cohen stated, “I just hit my deadlines.” He added about his executive producer duties, “I still do notes on every episode of ‘[Real] Housewives’ that there is.” Cohen went on to discuss the state of the “Housewives” franchise as he had just finished a screener of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

According to Variety, he called the latest season “really good,” noting that the show had just exited a “rebuilding phase.” The outlet also noted that he’d just seen an episode of the upcoming season of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.”

In discussing how far he’d come in his career, Cohen noted, “I can’t believe all these years into my career, this is what developed. I was told at CBS News [that] I was too cross-eyed to be on television. Then I was in charge of programming at Bravo at a time when no network executive could ever be in front of the camera. I have bucked the system and won.”

Andy Cohen Has A New Book Coming Out

In addition to his work with Bravo and his radio show, Cohen has published multiple books and even has a publishing imprint, Andy Cohen Books. In April 2026, the “Watch What Happens” live host announced his newest book, “Andy’s Bravo Scrapbook.”

He said in the Instagram announcement, “I’ve been working on it for a while. You can say I’ve been working on it for 20 years because this is the ultimate Bravo coffee table book. It’s the ultimate Bravo photo album.”

“Andy’s Bravo Scrapbook” will be released on October 20.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 27 seconds ago

As an older, somewhat casual anime fan, I have mixed feelings about classic shows getting rebooted or otherwise revived. For example, I really love Dragon Ball Z Kai because it turns the most iconic shonen into an all-killer, no-filler thrill ride. However, Sailor Moon Crystal left me a little cold. It similarly cut out the notorious filler of the earlier anime, but the newer animation lost some of the over-the-top charm of the original series. Because of this, I was a tad nervous when I heard that Ranma ½ was getting remade. How well, I wondered, could a new show do justice to the original, genderbending masterpiece?

As it turns out, pretty damn well! To my surprise, the new Ranma ½ (2024) is a very faithful adaptation of the manga that preserves all of the franchise’s trademark weirdness. The show has something of a split personality: it’s got wholesome messages about love, friendship, and family, but it’s also got some of the kinkiest and downright raunchiest scenes you’ll find outside of hentai. Oh, and did I mention there’s more nudity in any given season than you’ll find in a vintage Playboy? To see what the fuss is about and possibly find your new favorite anime, you can currently stream Ranma ½ on Netflix.

A Tale Of Two Genres

The premise of Ranma ½ is that a young warrior, Ranma Saotome, is pledged to marry a beautiful young woman. Just one problem: while training in China, Ranma and his father fell into cursed springs. Now, all it takes is a splash of cold water to turn Ranma from a strapping young male to a generously proportioned young female, and hot water changes him back. This condition makes it harder for Ranma to fit in when he moves in with his bride-to-be’s wacky family and begins attending high school. But he slowly learns more about himself and about women while battling one bizarre new challenger after another.

In the best possible way, Ranma ½ feels like a love child of two very different anime genres: slice of life and action/adventure. How does that work? Basically, Ranma is a warrior who is always training with his father, and he’s engaged (more or less) to the toughest girl in town. Collectively, these two have to do plenty of conventional fighting, settling conflicts with one perfectly-placed kick after another. But their biggest villains (like martial arts gymnasts, ice skating champs, and even lovesick students) all have the mouthfeel of low-stakes, local drama. Tonally, Ranma ½ is like a cross between shows like Komi Can’t Communicate and Dragon Ball Z.

It’s an audacious approach to storytelling, one that could have easily proven overly boring or overly derivative. Against all the odds, though, Ranma ½ finds its groove right away and manages to tell a beautiful, brilliant story unlike anything you’ve seen before.

When Wholesome Meets Raunchy

Ranma ½ is more than just a tale of two genres; it’s also a tale of two tones. Much of the show is relatively wholesome, with a narrative driven by a surprisingly engaging will they, won’t they love story. The series is also filled with wholesome messages about friendship, dedication, self-acceptance, and so much more, giving it squeaky-clean themes you wouldn’t normally find outside of an after-school special. At the same time, this otherwise wholesome show is hilariously raunchy, with Ranma having her naked breasts out for far too much runtime. The juxtaposition is surreal, with characters giving and receiving wholesome life advice while showing off their entire birthday suit.

Basically, Ranma ½ manages to perfectly ride the line between being wholesome and being raunchy. As mentioned above, the sugar-sweet messages about personal growth are undercut by spicy scene after spicy scene of swinging breasts. At the same time, the show avoids being overly explicit: in place of sex scenes, we get endless scenes of characters sharing baths together. Oh, and the nipples that were so abundant in the original Ranma ½ are completely absent here, a somewhat controversial creative choice. On one hand, this makes important scenes less (ahem) titillatingly distracting. On the other hand, having every woman look like a Barbie doll under her clothes is its own flavor of distracting!   

A Surprisingly Kinky Anime

The new Ranma ½ is fairly true to the original show; like many anime revivals, it is designed to cut out some annoying filler and serve as a more faithful adaptation of the original manga. But I was much younger when I watched the earlier anime series, and I was too focused on all the boobies to notice something fairly obvious: Ranma ½ is deeply, obviously, and super-shockingly kinky. Like, the gender-bending exploits of Ranma (which force him to explore womanhood while forcing his fiancée Akana to explore her sexuality) are just the start, and the series just gets weirder with each episode.  

For example, one character turns into a pig when splashed with cold water; in animal form, he snuggles up to Ranma’s fiancée each night, which makes Euphoria’s pet play seem downright tame. Later, some pig-related shenanigans have this guy wearing a day collar in his human form while his new master tries to track him down. The entire show is filled with guys who clearly have a fetish for female domination and dudes discovering, all while Ranma discovers a love of exhibitionism in showing off a beautiful female body. Mercifully, none of this kinkiness disrupts character development, but it adds an extra layer of transgressive naughtiness to every second of its raunchy runtime.

The Messiest Love Story Ever Told

Based on the description above, you might think that Ranma ½ is mostly a sex comedy. However, this is a show ultimately driven by romance rather than raunch. While there are plenty of spicy shenanigans and kinky character moments throughout, the central story revolves around Ranma and Akane’s adorably messy relationship. The characters have amazing chemistry and manage to strike the perfect “will they, won’t they” romantic balance as they banter from one episode to the next. This approach to relationship-building feels remarkably modern, and the show will resonate particularly well with any anime aficionados who are fans of the “enemies to lovers” trope.

Ranma ½ is, ultimately, a show with a little something for everyone. It’s got fun characters, engrossing slice-of-life adventures, and some of the craziest fights you’ll find outside Shonen. On top of that, the show features the most extensive nudity and weirdest sexual situations you’ll find outside of Cinemax. You can currently stream Ranma ½ on Netflix, so you’re just a click away from a modern revival of the ‘80s most ambitious anime. If nothing else, this is the show that figured out the secret to making everyone care about gender studies: boobies, boobies, and more boobies!

RANMA 1/2 (2024) REVIEW SCORE

At the height of the popularity of The Hunger Games, in book form and its wildly successful film franchise starring Jennifer Lawrence, Hollywood was all in on adapting Young Adult novel series for the big screen, particularly ones set in a dystopian world. In 2014, 20th Century Studios’ answer to The Hunger Games was The Maze Runner, an action-adventure science fiction three-part franchise based on the books by James Dashner starring Dylan O’Brien.

At the helm of all three movies, which included two sequels, The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure, was Wes Ball, who would later direct 2024’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The trilogy’s finale, released in 2018, is now available to stream on HBO Max. Running at 143 minutes and rounded out by a stacked supporting cast, The Maze Runner: The Death Cure is an ambitious conclusion that blends The Hunger Games‘ teen uprising with the technological nightmare of Blade Runner.

‘The Death Cure’ Was an Audacious, Divisive Conclusion to the Maze Runner Series

Image via 20th Century Studios