Tanabata, a Japanese star festival held on the seventh day of the seventh month, celebrates the celestial reunion of the Princess and the Cowherd. When the two descend from the sky, their story seems vaguely familiar to both a Chinese folklore story, as well as Ranma and Akane's own "special" relationship.

After the failure of the "Happo Daikarin" or "Happo Fire Burst" technique of explosions due to the heavy downpour, Happosai invents the "Happo Daikabin" or "Happo Mold-Burst" technique, which releases clouds of paralytic mold. Ranma later trains with Shampoo and Cologne on the mountains, attempting to learn ways of dealing with the deadly attack.