Nodoka Saotome

• name: Nodoka Saotome;
• age: 40;
• appearance: Nodoka has medium brown shoulder-length hair usually tied up with a blue butterfly hair piece, typically dresses in kimonos, brown eyes, wears light pink lipstick;
• Occupation: Homemaker;
• relationships: Ranma Saotome (Son, close), Genma Saotome (husband, cold against him but faithful), Akane Tendo (future daughter-in-law, close), Nabiki Tendo (close, future in-law), Kasumi Tendo (close, future in-law), Soun Tendo (friendly), Shampoo (friendly, possible future daughter-in-law), Ukyo Kuonji (friendly, possible future daughter-in-law), Kodachi Kuno (friendly, possible future daughter-in-law);

<origin/plot>

• Before departing on their training journey, the only way Nodoka agreed to let Genma take Ranma from her was to promise that he would train Ranma to be "a man among men." If Genma were to fail in this regard, both he and Ranma would commit seppuku. Nodoka agreed to this and also that she would be the kaishakunin for her husband and son, hence the need to always carry the katana. She is then supposed to join them in death after their own lives are taken.
• Because of this promise, Genma and Ranma are terrified of showing their true forms to Nodoka and for her to find out about their curses, although Genma is more afraid than Ranma. To prevent her from finding out, they hide in their cursed forms, with Ranma taking the alias of "Ranko" and pretending to be Akane's cousin from the countryside, and Genma assuming the identity of "Mr. Panda" and pretending to be Ranko's pet.
• Although she then saw Ranko, (Mr. Panda's sign had Ranma's name on it) leading Nodoka to start to suspect that they were the same person. However, she decides she won't force them to commit seppuku so long as Ranma stays interested in girls and continues to fight like a "man amongst men." After this, Genma and Ranma live for some time in her house, until it is destroyed by Shampoo, Ukyo Kuonji and Kodachi Kuno. She and her family then move back in with the Tendos.

• Traditional, Honorable, Loving, Caring, Strong, Independent, Polite, Hospitable, Old Fashioned;
• Focused on Ranma's "Manliness": A central aspect of her personality is her emphasis on Ranma fulfilling the image of a strong, manly man. This sometimes manifests in comical ways, as she encourages conventionally "unmanly" actions like peeping, seeing it as proof of his manliness.
• Surprisingly Accepting (of the curse): When she eventually learns about Ranma's curse, she is more understanding than anticipated, accepting his female form as long as he maintains his interest in girls and acts like a "man among men".

• Furinkan, a community in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan. (1989); events after the anime/manga series Ranma 1⁄2; no modern technology or terms;