Hm. Just a thought, but wasn't the occupational
forces somewhat negative
to the practice of martial arts. You might put in a
note about how this
has affected them.

## To the best of my knowledge the occupation forces
forbad martial arts. The Japanese were also forbidden
to manufacture or bear arms. Many swords were destroyed
and swordsmiths and martial arts teachers were driven
out of business or underground. It would have been
IMPOSSIBLE for Akane to practice openly. Nor could they
take on students. 


##A better reason need to be given for deserting. Esp.
if Genma is the Admirals AID. His people worshiped him.
Also it was the YOUNGER naval officers who pushed for
the war, often assassinating superior officers who they
felt were insufficiently enthusiastic.

For this story to work in a �realistic' manner it is
going to have to have some changes. I recommend a
series of manga done during this period:
"The wonderful world of Sazae-san" by Hasegawa Machiko.
They are now available in English with the original
Japanese text in the margin. WONDERFUL. Written during
and about post-war Japan, they are funny in a very
low-key way. 

Also, if you bring in the Chinese Amazons . . .the
Chinese don't like the Japanese very much now. They
went out their way to kill them in WWII. (The Rape of
Nanking, Section 73 (biological and chemical warfare
experiments on Chinese people. etc. Section 73(hmmm. I
may have the number wrong. I don't have by library
handy right now) But it did exist. There are a couple
of new book just on Japanese Bio-warfare out now)
Conducted near where the Amazons are supposed to live
in the manga/anime. :( ) If Shan Pu shows up saying
"Ranma, you I kill." She's going to want his head on a
pointy stick. And if she can get Soun, Akane, Kasumi
and any other Japanese in the kill-zone that would be a
bonus. Plus, the Chinese were still out allies. So the
occupation forces might look the other way while she
sliced and diced.
								

I like what you've done with Ukyou. A very nice
sub-text. I think this story shows promise but need
quite a bit of research.
You might also try Barefoot Gen and Grave of the
Fireflies (both VERY depressing) for a manga/Japanese
look at post-war Japan.  There is a lot of material
available.
It might also help you to know that the modern Japanese
school-system ignores WWII and Japanese participation
to the extent that, when some teenage Japanese boys
were asked about it, they didn't know Japan had ever
been at war with America. AND wanted to know who
won!!!
Also, until the end of WWII the Emperor was a GOD and
Shinto was the state religion. During the period you
are writing about this is VERY recent.
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