"DB Sommer" <sommer@3rdm.net> wrote:
Why is it necessary to have her go back in time armed with some
foreknowledge when she's already won the competition? It's the equivalent
of watching a football game that ends 27-25, then having the winning team
go back in time and play it over again so that they can win 40-10 instead.
Entertaining? I don't see how. You already know who wins and watching a
blowout is never as much fun as watching a close game. Part of the
enjoyment of Ranma 1/2 is the trouble everyone gets into. But now a factor
is being introduced which doesn't affect the final outcome and makes things
less manic. Less interesting. Less fun. More 'perfect.' All this seems to
be doing is giving a character more power over her fate, which is already
good to begin with. Wish fullfillment for someone that doesn't need a wish.
I have to agree with DB here. (Well, except that I don't find
professional sports entertaining no matter how close the score is. But
nevermind. ^_^) I don't think this works as an extended series; it's
just canon Ranma with one of the main conflicts watered down. As a
stand-alone, maybe, but the ending seemed a bit weak to me. The main
point seems to be that someone who gets accurate information can make
better decisions, and that doesn't exactly surprise. :) IMO, it cries
out for some sort of twist.
I will say on the positive side that in terms of showing (not telling)
the story, this was much improved over what I've read of the author's
previous work. I'm also glad he chose not to belabor us with a repeat of
the Volume 1 scenes that we've seen so many times.
Gary Kleppe
http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html