Sean Gaffney wrote:
Volume 1 is all right, containing perhaps the smallest
plot/sex ratio. The first R/A scene is handled very
nicely...
When I started reading Ranma 1/2 fanfics, this was the first lemon I
read. I read the R/A scene and all I could think to myself was...
NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! <repeat ad nauseum>
Akane and Ranma have never kissed before. Never admitted any affection
to each other before. Yet, Akane trips, they fall together onto the
bed, and it's "Welp, better have sex now." There was no buildup...
absolutely none. They kissed once, then they took off their clothes.
That's my problem with lemons in general - the sex is so unrealistic.
There is absolutely no reason for Ranma and Akane to have sex. Despite
what you may see in the movies, people very rarely have sex the first
time out.
Yes, yes, Akane and Ranma have known each other for a while, and there
is a latent but powerful attraction between the two. However, before
sex we must have a) some kind of breakthrough that allows them to admit
their feelings to each other; b) some passionate kissing (this may
actually occur first); c) some exploration of each other's bodies to
get comfortable with each other (the notorious "second" and "third"
bases); then we may get to d) sex sex sex.
Even if, for the sake of time, we skip over a) and c), we should at
least have some extended b). Then, when we get to d), it should be at
least a little awkward and embarrasing. Akane and Ranma should have
some questions for each other and be unsure of what they're doing,
rather than act like regular performers in your average cheesy adult
film. Remember, they're virginal teenagers; for them to have great sex
the first time is like asking a fifteen-year-old who just got his
learner's permit to drive in the Indy 500. I'm totally serious. In
either case, you're more likely to have a total wreck than to cross the
finish line.
I never got beyond the first story of Ranma .05 for this reason. If
Gaffney thinks it's worthwhile, I'll probably go back and read the other
parts (in fact, I've already downloaded everything to be had on the
series from std.com). But I'll probably still shudder at the sex
scenes. They're so far removed from real life, it just spoils it for
me.
Kun-chan made a good point about this: real sex is not terribly
interesting. Fanfics are fantasy, where the authors can take the
characters to whatever extremes they like. Just 'cause I'm so uptight
about the realism, don't mean other people can't enjoy it. :)
That's why, in a post a couple days back, I mentioned my temptation to
write a Kuno/Nabiki lemon. Really, my biggest motivation is to see if I
can write a lemon that's erotic and real at the same time. The two may
be mutually exclusive. :)
So, anyway, not to take away from this series, as I haven't read beyond
page 4 of the first story. But, at the very very least, there should be
more buildup before we plunge straight into sex. As the saying goes,
anticipation of the event can often be more enjoyable than the actual
event. :)
The above is all, of course, MHO.