The Next Generation type of story seems like a good idea but it's
ultimately pointless because the writer soon discovers he is no longer
writing about Ranma, but within Ranma. Many have tried to invent a new
Ranma crew, and all have failed spectacularly.

	Uhh...  That would be the point, to create a new story.  Why
would one wnat to create a whole new set of characters if they wanted
to merely write an extension of the old?  In fact, some of us write to
create something new.  
	Taleswapper pointed out a while ago that Ranma fanfics are
evolving.  A few years back, when I first started reading, most of
the fics were meant to be an "episode" - you could plomp it down into
the middle of the Ranma plotline and it would fit perfectly.  As 
impressive as some of these have turned out to be (Putting Your Heart
& Furinkan Summer, TMTC, etc.) most of them were not extremely 
memorable.  In fact, from back in those days, the three pieces which
had most impressed me were "Ministry of Confusion" (Gagnes), "Fall of
the Eagle" (Stoner), and "War of Leaves" (Roy Rim).  These were the
ones where it was no longer Ranma yet was.
	The predominating trend nowadays seems to be to write "within
Ranma" as you have put it, not "about Ranma".  There is nothing wrong
with taking your story and running with it.  It may no longer be Ranma
1/2, but that is where the inspiration and style comes from.  We try
to capture the spirit while leaving the body behind.  
	I need to stop typing while wigging out.  Ugh.

-skeezy5