R is for Ranma Saotome, created by Rumiko Takahashi and first appearing in Shūkan Shōnen Sandé (Weekly Shonen Sunday) in 1987. Ranma fell into a cursed spring while on a martial arts training expedition with his father in China, resulting in him taking on the form of whoever last drowned in that pool - in this case a young girl 1500 years previously (his father fell into the spring of a drowned panda). Ranma transforms into his female form whenever he comes into contact with cold water, while hot water reverts him to male.

Each day I will be choosing a character from those suggested by the members of the Garen's A-Z of comic strip characters Facebook group - if you want to suggest any, please feel free to join in.

Ranma is the first A-Z manga character to make an appearance, and his girl form was chosen to increase the female presence within the project. Rupert Bear came a close second with 8 votes, but was beaten by Ranma with 10 from Neill Cameron, Laura Howell, Jenni Scott, Linda Wada, David Chua, Tim Overton, Uriel A. Duran, Jay Eales, Kelvin Green and Jonathon Dalton. Thanks all!