Subject: Re: [FFML] [Query] [Ranma] To Stereotype Or Not To Stereotype?
From: Anthony Woo
Date: 2/26/1998, 4:54 PM
To: Sydney Kyle
CC: ffml@fanfic.com



Sydney Kyle wrote:

Someone just recently made me realize a fact about Ranma fanfics--there
seem to be at least two types of characterizations of the cast: the
"stereotyped" characterizations and the "in-depth" ones. The former
portrays the characters true to the manga and anime: Shampoo seems
hellbent on nothing but marrying Ranma and getting him to eat her
passion spice; Mousse seems hellbent on nothing but claiming Shampoo as
his bride and destroying Ranma; Ryouga seems hellbent on nothing but
winning Akane's heart and destroying Ranma, etc, etc, etc. Mind you,
this is not a bad thing, as it is these very traits that define them,
but it is true that fans of that particular character would feel a
little bit irked by the shallowness with which that character is
portrayed (a die-hard Akane fan read my first fic "Akane and Ranma", and
she felt strongly that I overdid Akane's short temper). The latter
portrays characters in the way the author feels that they should be
portrayed, with more depth and realistism than which the manga and anime
provides. This type shows these characters' convictions, analyzes their
real feelings, and explains what makes these people click. One example
of "stereotype" characterization versus "in-depth" characterization is
Mousse being ridiculously blind, clumsy, perpetually slamming into
things and enduring ungodly amounts of abuse by Shampoo in the name of
blind love versus a Mousse who explains that he cannot afford to have
his eyes fixed and displays hurt feelings when Shampoo abuses him both
emotionally and physically.

The difference between the "stereotyped" characterizations and the
"in-depth" ones is more subtle than just what's protrayed in the anime/manga
and reality.  In most cases both the "stereotyped" and "in-depth"
characterizations are supported by the anime/manga the difference is that
the "in-depth" charaterizations tend to look more at _why_ the characters
act the way that they do where as the "stereotyped" characterizations just
have the characters acting like normal without any explanations.  there are
exceptions, but this is generally true of most fanfiction.



I guess the thing here is that while some people prefer to read some
characters portrayed the way they usually act instead of reading about
those same characters portrayed in a way that gives the readers more
insight into their personalities, other people prefer otherwise. And
while I don't really see anything wrong in either depiction of Rumiko
Takahashi's creations, I'm still in the dark in how they should be
portrayed should I ever write another fic.

To stereotype...or not to stereotype?

It depends on what you're trying to accomplish.  If it's a comedy piece,
your best bet would be not having any explanations of the characters
actions.  If it's an epic, darkfic, or waff fic explanations or
introspections work well IMHO.



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AJ