In a message dated 97-07-06 00:46:49 EDT, someone on the FFML wrote:

<< Attacks themselves may be easier to handle, quicker, and more
 simply executed, but the the most important part of a fighter's anatomy is
 his mind.  This has been proven many times by Ranma himself.  Many of the
 Ranma eposodes deal with Ranma figuring out a way to respond to a new
 challenge in the field of fighting.  He is very inteligent at this if
 nothing else.  Would the reader not think that Ranma would not quickly
 adapt to his different body, and quickly become better than Akane?  Or
 would Akane simply just have the upper hand?  Personally, I think it would
 be the former, however, I am open if anybody wants to point out
 differently.   >>

Well, most physical activities, typing in my case and martial arts in Ranma's
and Akane's case, are in the brain as much as the mind.  When I type, I don't
look down at the keyboard and I don't think "Right middle finger up one row."
 I just type.  I think it would be the same way for them.  These are what
I'll call "do memories."  Do memory would stay with the brain.  "Know
memories" would go with it mind.  This is important because a lifetime of
know memories is what we use to define ourselves.  If the know memories
didn't travel with the mind, then Akane would be brash and arrogent and Ranma
would be violent.  Possibly an interesting story, but not the one the author
had in mind.

The question in Akane's case would be could her mind do a chestnut fist even
if her body could.  She has no idea what one feels like, how to start it, or
how to control it.  Stick a nontypist in my body and I doubt if (s)he would
be as good as I am.  Martial arts is a lot more complicated than typing.
 Akane would get better fast as she practiced, but she would be prone to
rookie mistakes because she doesn't know her limits.  Ranma would be
overexerting himself until he became use to Akane's limits.  He does however
have the superior combat mind.  If the two of them do spar, I think he would
still win because he would sucker Akane into making mistakes.

An interesting thought is Ranma "training up" Akane's body during his visit.
 Another is if they don't want to tell anyone else.  They would both have to
act "in character."  It would give them an insight into how they think each
other acts.

SlayerNext@aol.com
"Lina!  He's burning my bottom off!"