Ryan Mathews wrote:
Caroline Seawright <caseawr@ecr.mu.oz.au> wrote:
Well, maybe it was all for humour, but ... I can see why
people can't get past the OOCness of the characters to
enjoy the story properly!
Maybe it's just me, but I can't see why *anyone* would want
to read an out-of-character fanfic.
<sigh>
I've refrained from commenting, but I'm afraid that some people might be
discouraged from new interpretations of the manga by this discussion.
So here we go:
Two points: What, exactly, is out of character? The thing about Ranma
1/2 is that there is *no* consistent characterization. The primary
thrust of Ranma 1/2 is humor, not drama. Therefore, the characters will
behave in whatever manner gets the biggest laugh.
For example, the two biggest Ukyophiles I know - Zen and Blade - like to
pretend that the last few volumes of manga don't exist. Because, they
say, Ukyo acts "out of character" in those volumes. It just goes to
show that you can't pin down one set of characterizations for *any*
character.
I could argue Kasumi the all-knowing wise heart of the home. I could
argue Kasumi the total ditz, bright as a burned-out light bulb. I could
even argue Kasumi the biker babe - heck, just look how much she enjoyed
torturing Ranma when she discovered his fear of cats. :)
I equate the Ranma 1/2 manga with the Bible: Whatever view you'd like
to hold, you'd find support for in the source material.
Me, I don't like fanfics that pair Ryoga and female Ranma. I simply
don't see them having that kind of relationship. But neither do I
discourage people from writing such fanfics; if they want to explore
that kind of relationship, let them. I won't call it OOC; I'll just
call it contrary to the way *I* like to view the characters.
Second: Okay, someone wants to write a story that even they consider to
be OOC. So what? Part of what fanfic writing is about is exploring all
aspects of a certain person's character. By putting these characters in
extreme situations or having them behave in extreme ways, we can get a
well-rounded view of that character which is more satisfying than the
contradictary and two-dimensional portrayls found in the manga.
Oh, and third: I'm an American through and through. That means I very
much believe in the credo, "I may not agree with what you say, but I
will defend to the death your right to say it." Let people write what
they want. Don't *ever* discourage someone from writing just because
their views and interpretations don't agree with yours. Certainly, let
them know why you disagree. Or choose not to read it. But don't try to
impose standards. For one, it's impossible.
For all the writers out there who have interesting ideas for
characterizations: GO FOR IT. WRITE IT UP. Just 'cuz some people
don't want to read it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be written.
>From personal experience, I can tell you that I am on one person's
killfile because of a story I wrote. He couldn't stand the story or
characterizations I used, so he decided that he wasn't ever going to
listen to anything I ever have to say. I respect his decision to do
that. And I *don't* let it keep me from using the stories and
characterizations I see fit.
I encourage everyone to adopt a similar stance.
There, that's all I have to say. I invite comments. :)