From: PXDN@aol.com
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 19:18:27 EDT
To: shakudo@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: [FFML] Ranma Essay
Well, I've read it :):
Overall, I found that you did have some good points in the essay; I
found
Akane's motivations to be illuminating, as well as the reasoning behind
Takahashi's appeal to such a broad audience.
Thank you.
However, I found myself wanting to know where you got some of your
assertions,
such as "Rumiko Takahashi includes a more traditional role for women.
This is
Shampoo's role, the role of the Amazon goddess." I never knew that
"Amazon
goddess" was a traditional role ^_^. I would have used Kasumi as more
representive of the "traditional role" rather than Shampoo (due to her
household duties and obliviousness to problems at hand).
Ah, ah, ahh. You're thinking of *Western* traditional roles. I said that
the use of an amazon goddess was a long standing staple of shonen manga.
Also, while you cite the manga very well, your non-manga sources could
have
been used more (in making judgements on traditional roles, one idea of
being a
sex object by Schodt won't cut it). By using one book on Japanese
culture in
general, you could have created many more parallels to Takahashi's work
than
by using sources exclusive to manga and fictional characters.
True, but that's getting back to the scope of the essay - what a manga
is at face value. I mean, it's English class, not sociology. That and we
weren't allowed to use too many secondary sources.
Finally, I believe that your treatment of the Jusenkyo curses could
have been
expanded further; your piece would have been much more effective if you
could
have mentioned it in each person's character analysis, rather than in a
paragraph by itself (as part of the other "wacky" aspects of
Takahashi's
manga).
Edited due to space constraints.
For example, how would you justify Ryouga sleeping with Akane as P-
chan, yet still consider himself as an honorable person/warrior?
Pausanias, an aquaintance of Plato, once said 'a choice by itself is
neither honourable nor dishonourable, it's the actions we perform as a
result of that choice that defines its value.' (Paraphrased of course.)
The conclusions are left up to the reader.
How about
the fact that Ranma's genderbending would undoubtely affect his
development as
a male teenager?
Do *you* think Ranma acts girly?
Also, this would also clarify Shampoo "falling in love with
Ranma at first sight" (remember, she wanted to _kill_ her after their
first
battle, and fell in love after they got back to Japan). Using "male
Ranma"
would remove the confusion to us knowledgable readers, as well as the
teacher
should s/he ever actually read the manga :).
Well, the default was male-Ranma; I used the Jusenkyo bit at the end so
I wouldn't have to clarify constantly, it would detract from the prose.
PX
Wow. You bring up some interesting points for debate. But it's like I
said, the teacher didn't want anything too long so I had to simplify and
omit here and there. I mean give enough paper and I could write an essay
on each chapter of the entire Ranma tankobon set. (Please don't hold me
to that, I'd flunk university ^w^.)
Overall, I glad you liked it. It was a difficult process, though writing
that seemed to solidify the characters in my mind.
Well, I almost have chapter 4 editited in a my first work but I'm afraid
that my release will have to hold off until chapter 7. Not that I
wouldn't love sending it out right now (these revsions are driving me
*crazy*), but I am my own worst critic. A warning though, it is a
DarkFic (or at least, that's what it mutates into), so if there are any
objections, good. I'm not forcing anyone to read it, I'm not even
*expecting anyone to read it. But I had to write something to make the
voices stop. (Yes, O Great Evil One, yes.)
Here's to hoping it turns out all right. <gulps drink before realizing
the flask belongs to Lardizabal Tanaka.>
- Shyaku*hic*djo - ...
- ...
- ...
- *What th' hell waszh I goin' to *hic* shay!?*
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