Well, the first pool that he was exposed to had multiple things
drown in it at the same time, so that would explain that bit. Now, as for
how he gained the attributes of an octopus _in addition_ is something that
everyone seems a bit fuzzy on. The only thing that's been said is that
perhaps since he already had a combination curse, getting exposed to
another curse added to the combination.
	Any takers on the rest of this?

What I suggested earlier is that the Jyusenkyou water (having seeped up
from underground, as we know), is diluted.  When concentrated in larger

	Ah, yes, that one....

quantities like a spring, it's sufficient to replace the curse with some
generalities about whatever drowned there.  When merely splashed on
someone, it is of much less concentration, and thus merely adds to the
curse.  This would also explain the Spring of Drowned Akane... it was (as
I recall from the manga), 'pure' magic water - undiluted.  This would mean
it was of MUCH higher concentration than the Jyusenkyou springs
themselves, and would not just curse with generalities about what drowned
there, but would in fact make someone look exactly like Akane.

	Any thoughts on the personality aspects of certain springs? (Your
ideas, by the way, seem to be carefully thought out, and possible....)

Now, the other thing is that Ranma is not supposed to be a serious series.
Aren't we maybe carrying this a bit far with all this analyzing of the
story?  I mean, do we really think that Rumiko Takahashi sat there
thinking, before each story, "Now, does this contradict anything I wrote
before?"  I, for one, am not convinced of such. ;)

	Egad. You're right. I've also lately been holding the view that
when you start to hate one or more of the characters with unbridled
passion, then you're also taking things too seriously.... %) Looks like I
fell into this trap, too. Of course, I'm bored frequently....

>From Andrew Huang, Taiwanese-American-German-Scot Harvard Student :P
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