I asked folks to compare the Usagi/Rei and Ranma/Akane relationships,
here's the results:

Question: In your not so humble opinion,

A> It is more likely that Usagi will slap Rei than Ranma will strike Akane.

    Arromdee Kenneth <arromdee@bay1.bayserve.net>
    databank@nash.mindspring.com (Zen)
    Marisa Price <mdp102@york.ac.uk>
    David Bateson <major@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au>
    Scott Jamison <majks@cyberx.com>

B> It is more likely that Ranma will strike Akane than Usagi will slap Rei.

    Nobody.

C> Either event is so very unlikely that no meaningful comparison is possible.

    Chris Davies <cdavies@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca>
    "James V. Nutley" <jnutley@lvnexus.net>
    Elizabeth Christian <besh@atl.mindspring.com>
    "Ranma Al'Thor" <ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu>

D> How dare you draw this comparison, mr Cobb!  After all, there is no
solid evidence that Ranma and Akane are in love.

    Nobody.

The totals are:

    A> 5
    B> 0
    C> 4 (half of these were leaning towards A)
    D> 0

The obvious conclusion is that Ranma is the Rolex of fiancees, he takes
a beating and keeps ticking her off.

One clarification I had to make was that Usagi klutzing out and falling
on Rei didn't count.

The primary reason given for Usagi to strike Rei would be a serious play
for Mamo-chan (after "Day of Destiny"), while Ranma would accept
whatever Akane's choice was.

Choice comments:

From: Elizabeth Christian <besh@atl.mindspring.com>
My only comment here is that it's obvious that Ranma and Akane are both
completely in love with Kunou.  Their violence (physical and psychological)
against him and each other is a result of the strength of their indivual
states of denial.  I have come to this conclusion because Kunou is the pick
of the male Ranma litter.

Elizabeth Christian

From: databank@nash.mindspring.com (Zen)
Well.... yes.  Zen can see Usagi pushed past the point of tears -
particularly is eh thinks that Rei is really taking a cheap shot - say in
trying to steal Endymion from her - and responding with a smack across the
chops.  Rei would never see it coming, but Zen can see it happening.  Usagi
*does* after all, have a backbone - it just takes a lot to find it.

Ranma, on the other hand, definitely has a backbone, but could no more
smack Akane than he could turn himself inside out.  Ranma's very character,
and Akane's continued respiration all hinge on that simple preclusion.
Ranma does NOT hit Akane.  Ever.

Zen the Heretic-

	Henry J. Cobb	hcobb@slip.net          http://www.io.com/~hcobb