The film features a protagonist who involuntarily transforms between male and female forms due to a magical curse. This gender-bending is a core comedic element and plot device, treated as an inconvenience rather than an expression of gender identity. The narrative does not explicitly engage with or comment on LGBTQ+ themes or characters in a modern context, resulting in a neutral overall portrayal.

The film prominently features several female characters who are highly skilled martial artists. Ranma Saotome (in her female form), Shampoo, and Ukyo Kuonji all engage in and win close-quarters physical fights against multiple male opponents, demonstrating superior combat abilities.

The movie portrays family life through the lens of an arranged engagement and parental decisions that often lead to chaos, consistently subverting traditional gender roles and parental authority for comedic effect, such as Ranma accidentally becoming the 'mother' of a phoenix.