Having finished "Burning Bridges", I think I've finally
identified what it is that bothers me about this story and the
prequel and sequel by Mr. Lawson - the shallow and hypocritical
nature of the Akane presented in these stories.

        To illustrate what I mean, let me refer to the recent
poll, which I missed but which I believe indicated that 70% of
the respondents would at least attempt to change their sexual
preference if they were permanently changed to the opposite
gender. As one of the 30%, I'm a little dubious about how many
people would really try it, but be that as it may. What about the
converse, the poll dealing with the situation Akane finds herself in?

        If the person you love changed genders, would you try to
change your sexual preference to stay with them? As a happily married
guy, I would stay with the woman I love whether she became a
man, I became a woman, or whatever. Even if I couldn't bring
myself to the point of physical lovemaking, I would never abandon
her/him. But Akane does. She could try to love Ranma as a woman. She
could have used the Nannichuan on herself, but she does neither.
Instead she hypocritically urges Ranma to take a step - changing her
preference - that she herself is unable or unwilling to take. And
for what? So that Ranma can have a "normal" relationship? Akane's
the one with the incentive to change, so that she can stay with the
person she supposedly loves. The Akane presented in these stories frankly
is not nearly as likable a character as the one we know from the manga.

        As I think about it, in fact, nearly everyone in these
stories lets Ranma down very badly. If we take the OOC behavior of
Ranma and Akane in stride, I don't much blame Ranma for choosing
Kentaro over this Akane. Indeed, the thing I find more dubious is
that he would want anything to do with any of these people again.

Reid Carson
rcarson@mnsinc.com