SlayerNext@aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 97-09-12 14:38:36 EDT, you write:

<< This story is by Nicholas Leifker <nwl9354@unix.tamu.edu>

 I don't really have anything particular to say about the latest chapter
 of this; rather, some general thoughts on where the series is going,
 which should be taken as nothing more than one reader's opinion.

 This series has Ranma turning himself into a girl, not merely
 physically, but in terms of his social and cultural identity as well.
 You've shown quite effectively how being feminine can give him new
 experiences and enable him to accomplish things that the old Ranma
 couldn't.

 Now how about the reverse? Surely his female side has its limitations as
 well as its strengths. For balance, we need to see a situation that
 feminine Ranma can't deal with, or at least can't deal with as well as
 masculine Ranma could have.

 The overall message of this series should be, IMO, that we limit
 ourselves *anytime* we force ourselves into pre-defined cultural roles.
 Right now it's only half there.

 As I said, just one reader's opinion. If you were already thinking along
 these lines, then that's great. If not, I hope you'll keep this in mind
 when you are planning future installments. >>

I suspect that Ranma's going to enjoy him...er...her(?)self becasue (s)he'll
be free of all of his...her...

<rant>

WHICH PRONOUNS DO I USE IN THIS CASE?

</rant>

I suspect that Ranma is going to enjoy Ranma's self at first, because Ranma
will be free of all of Ranma's old problems and responsibilities.  Once Ranma
understands all of the problems and responsibilies that come with Ranma's new
position, Ranma will start to wonder where all Ranma's freedom went.  I
wouldn't be suprised if Genma and Nodoka have a male suitor lined up for
Ranma soon.  After all, if a promise was made that if Genma had a daughter...

Gee.  Come to think of it, that's where Kouchi and Kentaro came in (in
my fiction).  She'd even get a choice between the macho-man and the 
girly-man.

Not to mention that if Genma actually starts thinking of Ranma as
a girl, he's going to become increasingly reluctant to spar with her.
Let's see how much he likes being a girl then...  And what about 
menstrual cramps?  That's a fun side of being a girl that he won't
want to miss.  Not to mention that Ryoga's liable to half-kill himself
(and Ranma) trying to "cure" Ranma so he can get his enemy back.  
Happosai stealing her panties and slipping aphrodisiacs into her
food.