I didn't see the original question, but it might be worth noting, that Ranko
look very much like Nodoka, Ranma's mother.
-----Original Message-----
From: Catbert25@aol.com <Catbert25@aol.com>
To: fanfic@fanfic.com <fanfic@fanfic.com>
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 1998 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [FFML] Question about Ranko.

Ranko is what Ranma calls himself when his mother is around to keep her

from

forceing him into ritual suicide, due to a pact Genma made with her to make
him a 'man among men.'  It has been said often in the Manga and the Anime

that

Ranma's female side looks alot like him. But there is no 'Official'
exsplanation for who she was\is to my knowledge so just go with what is

best