Sean Connor wrote:
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.
This may be true, but I find that by ignoring the 'one-panel
gags' and the last three manga volumes, a much more
consistent picture emerges.
Perhaps. I'm not sure I totally agree, but I understand your point.
Still if people want to use the 'one-panel gags' as a basis for their
characterizations, does that make them invalid? I don't think so.
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. :)
Not to mention the Kasumi that gave Akane the mallet when
Ranma was under the influence of the compulsion mushroom.
Yeah! That too. Clearly, it shows that Kasumi has a predilection for
S&M. ^_^
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.
I half-agree, half-disagree with this.
So while it's true that you could probably come up with at
least one piece of evidence from the manga that supports any
old half-baked theory, you likely could not do so
consistently, and it would likely fly in the face of a much
larger body of contradictory evidence.
This holds true for just about any view.
One recurring fanfic theme is that Ranma is a very honorable man. Heck,
that's the way I prefer to interpret his character. Yet, the manga is
replete with instances where Ranma acts without a lot of honor. It's
usually done to facilitate a plot, and it's more common in later
chapters than in earlier ones. But it doesn't make those instances any
less valid. Ranma *has* been shown to be dishonorable, much as I like
to think of him otherwise. I still think my interpretation of Ranma as
an honorable man is valid, despite contradictory evidence.
Ditto with just about any other view you can come up with.
I understand your point, however: some characterizations have *more*
supporting evidence than others.
That's not to say that a fic based on such a crockish idea
wouldn't make a good fic, though. :)
Exactly right, and kinda the point I was trying to make.
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.
Well, there are some characters that certainly seem 2D to
me: Kunou, Akari, and a goodly number of the 'one-shot'
characters, for example. But nonetheless, a lot of the
characters have at least _some_ depth to them.
This I grant you. I spoke hastily in saying that all of the
characterizations were 2-D. Some are quite complex, Ranma and Akane
among them.
Also, I might mention that I have met people in RL whose
actions struck me as every bit as contradictory as some
of the things shown in the manga.
And this is another good point: in real life, people seldom behave one
way all the time. Real life is not consistently characterized either.
:)
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.
Well, if someone asks me my opinion, I'll give it. There
have been times that I've given my opinion _anyways_. But
still, it's just an opinion, and the author is free to
ignore it. :)
The FFML is to help people write stories. Sometimes that means pointing
out things that don't work so well. Sometimes that means negative C&C.
There was an instance, several months ago, where a well-known Ranma
fanfic writer posted the latest chapter to a serial. I (among others)
pointed out serious flaws in the latest chapter. The author responded
by flaming those who offered the C&C, whining loud and long about
everyone hated them, and stopped posting chapters of that serial to the
FFML altogether. That author lost a lot of my respect that day, and I
haven't read any more of that author's work since then.
I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who can't take well-intended
criticism. How else will your writing improve if you can't have pointed
out to you where it doesn't work so well?
Me, I welcome *all* feedback, even the flames. I want to know where my
stories work, and where they don't. I may not agree with everyone's
views, I may not implement their suggestions, but I *will* listen, and I
*won't* get mad at them for offering their opinion.
I encourage everyone to adopt a similar stance.
Hear, hear. Seconded.
:) Thanks for the support, Sean.
- Sean Connor (sec@frodo.com)