Character Profile: Ukyo Kuonji

Ten years ago, on a training journey in the country with his father, Ranma stole okonomiyaki [a cross between an omelet and a pancake] daily from Ukyo's father's yatai (food cart), easily overcoming Ucchan's defense. However, it was a friendly rivalry -- Ukyo drew pictures with okonomiyaki sauce on them for Ranma. Her father told Genma that Ukyo said she wants to be Ranma's wife. Genma said Ranma already has a fiancee. Ukyo's father said that's too bad, he was thinking of giving them the yatai for a dowry. Genma said, "We'll take her!"

In a quandary, Genma let Ranma make the decision-- he asked Ranma which he liked better, okonomiyaki or Ukyo. Never suspecting that Ukyo is a girl, Ranma chose okonomiyaki. So Genma and Ranma ran off with the yatai and left Ukyo behind. Shamed and ridiculed by her peers, Ukyo decided she wouldn't like boys forever, dressed and lived as one, and devoted herself to okonomiyaki style martial arts.

She shows up as a new student at Furinkan High and challenges Ranma. After a heated battle, Ranma discovers Ukyo's actual gender (and verifies it by pouring hot water on her!). Meanwhile, Ukyo discovers that Ranma does not get along with his "uncute" fiancee, Akane. Ranma and Ukyo reconcile, and she becomes enamored of him again.

Though she still dreams of marrying Ranma, Ranma still treats Ucchan only as an old friend. Her plots to win him over are less violent and more psychological than Ranma's other suitors. For example, instead of trying to kill her rival Akane, Ukyo arranges a date between her and Ryoga.

Running her okonomiyaki restaurant "Ucchan" has made her skillful at both domestic tasks and running a business. Although she lives to cook okonomiyaki, she would give it all up to marry Ranma.

According to the website Ranma ½ Perfect Edition, Ukyo's name is difficult to find a meaning in. Ukyo's name is broken down into "right" and "capital (of the country)". Kuonji is "eternity" and "temple". The "eternity" possibly means that she is Ranma's eternal friend.