From: rang@bonnie.ics.uci.edu (Jyan-ken)
Subject: Re: Ranma's mom and other frustrating things
Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime
Reply-To: rang@ics.uci.edu (Jyan-ken)
Organization: Univ. of Calif., Irvine, Info. & Computer Sci. Dept.
Keywords: Ranma Genma
Date: 5 Oct 92 19:25:10 GMT


I don't think Ranma is a jerk by nature; a prankster, yes, but generally
he's been forced to be fighter, which tends him to be insensitive. In fact,
many of his conflicts are initiated with him trying to maintain his
fighting status. Ranma is sensitive in areas of hurting others feelings
(even in defeating someone, he worries) and to a lesser degree, his
image (losing hair, strength and other features of himself that makes him
like a man to whomever.)However, alot of his training involves a lot of other
motives, like dedication (NOTE: Akane is impressed with Ranma the most when
he is practicing..) and determination.  I think there's no such thing
as someone deserves one another, because if that were true, Moouse should
never win Shampoo, because he didn't beat her up in competition, Kenou
can actally have Akane for being most eligible to, according to Kenou's rules,
and Ukyoo should get Ranma, for being first iinasuke (we suspect).

Ranma and Akane make a great team for some simple reasons; Ranma really
never has taken advantage of Akane (for food {hell, no} or ottherwise) and
in a sense, Akane has never pampered Ranma, unlike the others, which maintains
Ranma's sense of fighting status. Akane is somewhat of an oddball character
(which, IMHO, she is drawn better in the manga than the anime..), because
she never has really considered herself feminine, due to her hobbies and
interests, so Akane becomes cold and crass many times; Unlike Kenou or
Ryouga that pamper her with traditional affections (which is REALLY idiotic
when you consider), Ranma actually supports her in her likes and interests;
she doesn't feel so oddball when Ranma can be nice. I say "when" because
Ranma, in many times, is so tactless with his statements; Ranma knows
that as a girl, she DOES look better than Akane. Also, Akane is crass
right back at Ranma for the situation they are in; she thinks that all the
family members want them together because Ranma can be a girl, and Akane
hates men, which doesn't take much to see that Akane trying to be a woman
HATES comments like that, so the relationship never gets the kickstart.
Ranma and Akane constantly HAVE to stop the relationship they are in
because BOTH think there is something wrong with it, until one or the other
is put in danger (in that case, TO HELL with what people think..)
I guess it's Takahashi's way of showing how traditions and what most people
think as common behavior is really stupid, and how such kung-fu drama
with love stories entwined can be really silly.

And of course, I could go on about how Takahashi has set up characters
and their relationships, but I'd rather not (Have a life to live)..But
as you might imagine, I think Ranma 1/2 is the best work Takahashi has done;
Kung-Fu(well, Kenpo), Comedy, [Hot Fighting]Action and Love..

*****"Jyan-ken"*************___*******/*************************************
Cal Animage Epsilon   |   ,'   \ __  / Member of the glorious pirate ship..*
Leader/Lodoss Warrior/|  (      X  \/   __                     _           *
Irvine Patrol Labor   |   `.   (   /)  T  \  T    /TT\    T  ,'  T\        *
Division II/Attacked  |     \   \_Z/   |   ) |   / || \   | /    | \       *
Mystification Police, |      \   /  *  |><:  |  /--||  \  |(     |--\      *
Irvine Div./"Friend"  |  ,-   \ /      |   ) | /   ||   \ | \    |   \     *
of the Sanjiyan & "U"/| /      X       I__/  I/    II    \I  `._ I    \    *
Ah My Goddess Priest/ |(      /_)__________________________________________*
XYZ Prankster/Member  | \      / Reply to:  (rang@bonnie.ics.uci.edu)      *
the Gokuraku/Anime Fan|**`.__,'*Anime, Amigas, Manga, Furries, A/V and FUN!*
Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime