Sean wrote:

2.2 is...well...the characterization is exceptional, even though
it's a Ryouga/Ukyou pairing.  (Darren doesn't seem to like Ukyou

>from the notes he writes, which is a shame as she's written 

impeccably.)

Agreed on the first and last points, but on the middle one: I 
see no evidence in Ranma .05 that Demaine dislikes Ukyou.  (He 
may indeed, but nothing in the writing indicates such a 
sentiment).  Rather, in the pre-lemon plot buildup, Demaine 
portrays Ukyou with more fidelity to the manga/anime than most 
of the good Ranma fanfic writers do.  Particularly clever (and 
accurate, by measure of fidelity to Takahashi) is Ukyou's 
subtle manipulation of the conversation in an attempt to sow 
discord between Ranma and Akane.  Such maneuvering is clearly 
comparable to Ukyou's Date-with-Ryouga and Breakup-Cave ploys.  
Now in Part 1 of Demaine's "Ranma 1/100th," Ukyou's actions are 
a little extreme, even by the standards set in the manga, as 
she goes as far as to plot to block a Ranma-Akane date by 
surreptitiously ruining Akane's dress.

Since we're on the topic, you may as well attend my lecture, 
which is entitled:

**The Other Woman: Heresy in the Characterization of Ukyou**

In recent days, I read a post to the FFML in which someone 
expressed unease with Takahashi's treatment of Ukyou in the 
last manga volumes.  Presumably, the commentator is referring 
to  Ukyou's roles in destroying the Saotome home in the mad 
scramble for the putative engagement ring and in disrupting 
Ranma's and Akane's wedding.  Certainly, shallow development of 
the supporting characters is an undeniable feature (not to say 
weakness) of Takahashi's longest work.  Yet what struck me 
about the post was not the commentator's disappointment with 
Ukyou's last two significant acts in the manga.  Rather, I was 
fascinated that the poster argued against such characterization 
of Ukyou by saying something like: That's not how I see Ukyou.  
She is a sensitive, tragic character, etc.

This particular post made clear to me that the several 
excellent fanfics featuring Ukyou, such as "Stepping Stones," 
have established a new "canonical" portrayal of Ukyou, a 
"heresy" of sorts.  For what could be the "true" character of 
Ukyou other than that which Takahashi and the anime creators 
have laid out for her?  Authors and voracious reader of Ranma 
fanfics (including myself) clearly prefer an alternative 
characterization: Ukyou as "the other woman," a very close 
second to Akane in the competition for Ranma; perhaps the 
fiancee most deserving of Ranma's love; the noble martyr 
willing to love Ranma from afar, pining away even as he marries 
her rival.

This heresy is easily explained: people like to root for the 
underdog.  We love to feel the heartache inspired by such 
romantically tragic characters as Cyrano (before he gets 
Roxanne) or Eponine in "Les Miserables."  And good authors have 
wisely plaid this emotional ace-in-the-hole.  The early 
definitive work was, of course, "Putting Your Heart in the 
Right Place."  In that extended series, John Biles set Ukyou 
and Akane up as vertiable equals in Ranma's heart: he needed to 
take each girl on a date before deciding between the two.  
Ukyou is a graceful loser (unlike Ryouga, who "must fight one 
last time," allying himself with Cologne to break up the 
engagement).  And in case there was any doubt, in "Furinkan 
Summer," Ranma states unequivocally that absent Akane, he would 
love Ukyou.  The heretic canon has been capably nurtured in 
such fanfics as "Daigakusei no Ranma" and "After all this 
Time."  

What all these stories are missing is a bridge between the 
manga/anime inspiration and the new, alternative 
characterization for Ukyou.  Such a bridge would be a storyline 
showing how Ukyou distances herself from Shampoo and Kodachi 
and gains something resembling romantic affection from Ranma.  
For the ugly truth is this: her chances appear no better than 
Shampoo's and there is some evidence that Ukyou is actually in 
third place.

While Ranma is clearly fond of Ukyou, there is never any 
indication of romantic feelings toward her.  The only times 
Ranma is presented with an alternative to Akane, Shampoo is the 
second choice (the watermelon and onsen races).  In the single 
storyline in which a  Ranma-Ukyou pairing is emphasized as a 
real possibility (the secret sauce story), Ranma's devotion to 
Ukyou is unromantic, driven solely by guilt and a dutiful sense 
of penitence.  Contrast Ranma's behavior in the sauce story 
with his active pursuit of and encouragement of Shampoo's 
affections in the reversal jewel story.  And while Ranma at 
least once calls Ukyou "kawaii," he never wishes that Akane was 
more like her, although he does make express such a wish in the 
story introducing Shampoo.

And whether we like it or not, the manga shows at least four 
instances (the Nabiki no iinazuke story and the introduction of 
Hinako, as well as the engagement ring and wedding riots) in 
which Ukyou is part of a three-headed iinazuke monster, little 
better than Shampoo or Kodachi.  The anime includes several 
more of these triple-threat attacks on Ranma, with only one 
additional story ("Ukyou no skirt . . .") in which there is 
anything resembling affection for Ukyou by Ranma.

Moreover, the manga includes several instances of questionable 
behavior by Ukyou.  Even if you excuse the attempt to set up 
Akane with Ryouga and the breakup cave scheme, can you look the 
other way as Ukyou takes a spatula swing at Akane in the Hiryuu 
Shoutenha story or attempts to take advantage of Ranma's 
impending loss of the Tendo dojo to the Gambling King?  While 
she never resorts to doping Ranma's food, Ukyou does try to get 
him under the love umbrella.

Of course, as I have said elsewhere, it is often gratifying to 
see authors depart a little from limits of the manga/anime in 
developing the existing characters.  I have never disliked a 
story (including Mark Crewson's sobering works) because 
Takahashi's characters did not behave as Takahashi designed 
them to behave.  But in the instance, I did feel compeeled to 
point out the interesting, perhaps unconscious, substitution of 
a fanfic consensus as the "real' characterization for Ukyou.

One of these days, if someone gets me started, I'll essay on 
why Mousse has almost no honor and why Gosunkugi ought to be
shunned.


In my opinion.

Taleswapper.