I think I've identified one of the problems I have with this story -
it's the same problem I had with the X-Men back when I still read it - I
simply don't find the prejudice described convincing.
Take Akira for example - he can fly, lift three tons, and is hard
to hurt. Big deal. There are half a dozen martial artists in Ranma 1/2
stronger than that who could make mincemeat of him. Given that there's
no evidence of any particular prejudice against martial artists in
the Ranma universe, I don't see why there's a problem here, unless you're
going to assume that all the powerful fighters - Ranma, Ryoga, Mousse,
Taro, Herb, Mint, Lime, Ryu Kumon, Konatsu, Cologne, Happosai, Lukkosai,
even Genma for that matter - are actually specials. I mean, if a normal
human can, through dint of life-long training and tremendous dedication,
become the equal of your run-of-the-mill special, I don't see any big
reaction against specials, unless it extends to super-powered martial
artists as well. Now it might be interesting, for example, to see
people holding the Kunos in contempt because they're striving for
superhuman abilities.
We've also got yet another fic with a psycho Akane. I don't care
if this is based on the anime or the manga, Akane was never this bad.
The girl shown here is apparently deranged and in serious need of
therapy. The "pervert" business comes out of left field and simply seems
forced. I don't see Nodoka letting the "manliness" bit sliding just
because of his burden - I think she'd find it all the more reason to
hold him to the mark. The curse is present here, but it doesn't
really play any significant part in the story, and I think you'd be
better off dropping it. If there's magic in this world also, seems to
me it makes the prejudice against specials even less sensible.
I can't see Nabiki having any interest at all in Ranma under the
circumstances - it's just too risky. Nabiki likes her money, and she
likes her fun, but she always looks out for number one, and this Ranma
is even more dangerous to be around than canonical Ranma.
How many people are going to show up for classes taught by a
special?
Reid Carson
rcarson@rcarson.com