From: KLEPPE@EXECPC.COM (Gary Kleppe)

But the whole thing is actually Pop's fault, for reasons he's not
telling...

Good one, but I'd let the series run awhile with everything seen through
Ranma/Ranko's eyes and the parents seen as very kindly, before the
contradictions roll in.

It'd be tough, because the readers already know that Genma is scum and
Nodoka is unbalanced.

How about Ranko's arch enemies:

The Wanderer, a mysterious martial artist. He knows Ranma's secret ID
and has sworn vengeance on him for reasons unknown.

I was gonna make Ryouga "The Pig" Hibiki be Akane's "old boyfriend".
She's upset because the authorities keep locking him up in STONE
prisons.  He always escapes and wanders around aimlessly until he finds
her.

Tatewaki Kunou's sister Kodachi, who is secretly the supervillainess
known as the Black Rose.

Yeah, but Tatewaki is completely oblivious to what goes on around his
estate. (He dresses much better than the average police detective
because his family is rich.  I think he took the job out of some
obligation to apply his "superior mental skills" for the good of
society.  But who's his sidekick?)

I can see a scene, where Ranma has found some evidence that would tend
to implicate Tatewaki.

Akane: "But Ranma, we can't turn him in.  I need him."

Ranma: (very sad) "Oh, I see."

Akane: "Not like that dummy!  He's my best source on the police force.
His empty head leaks like a sieve.  And anyway, what makes you think
he's competent enough to pull off this crime?"

Khu Lon, aged Chinese super-scientist. She also knows Ranma's ID. Her
great granddaughter Xian Pu secretly loves Ranma, but helps Khu Lon out
of filial loyalty.

Yes, again spot on.  She has an army of fanatical Chinese amazons.  As
Ranko is just starting out, I'd have this group not know about the
Ranma/Ranko connection, but the instant Khu Lon sees Ranko in action,
she knows a secret about her past.

Xian Pu will happily kill Ranko, as per her great-grandmother's orders,
but she somehow always lets Ranma escape.  ("Me no see somebody here.")

The notorious Perverted Man... nah, maybe that's a bit much.

I was gonna make this one the first villain they face.  It'd give Akane
a chance to whine about being assigned to cover such a minor crime and
then "suddenly" switch to "We are going to nail this bastard!"

"Mysterious Pig-tailed Crimefighter" is a great idea! Write this one,
PLEASE!!!

But I've got so much else to do, and I write so slowly.

If somebody else wants to take this one up, go ahead, otherwise it could
be several months.

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