-----Original Message-----
From: ffml-bounce@fanfic.com [mailto:ffml-bounce@fanfic.com]On Behalf Of
andrew norris
Sent: Monday, September 13, 1999 5:47 AM

[biggus snippus]

I agree with the bulk of what Andrew said.  However,
there is one point regarding *who* brought the Saotome
name to the marriage of Genma and Nodoka:

Andrew says:

But, Genma KNEW where the Family graves were, and he's NEVER struck me as
someone who would be concerend with that, UNLESS he was by birth 
a Sataome,
while Nodoka WOULD be, even if only by adoption/marriage.

In vol.36, in the great 'Ranma's curse is revealed and accepted by
his mother' story arc, Genma does not appear to know what is in
the secret cache in the shrine when he has Ranma hit it.  Further,
Nodoka has a key (of course, she *also* has the family sword).
Third, Genma is amazed at the 'high value' of the medal said to
be therein and promptly decides to steal it, with apparent disregard
to both Ranma and Nodoka's safety.

(Brr.  That man is a worm.  It's this story arc that really set
my prejudices against him.)

It's quite possible that I'm misinterpreting the scenes, but
I believe that all the above says that it's Nodoka that knows
all the family history, whereas Genma does not, and therefore it's
Nodoka who was born into the Saotome line.  IMHO.

--
David Eddy - Senior Consultant, Progress Software Melbourne
dje@progress.com

Screening Coordinator and Subbing Bunny, Melbourne Anime Society
My home page is at http://nabiki.newberry.edu/DEddy

"It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion,           
 through the beans of Java, my thoughts acquire speed, 
 the hands acquire shaking
 the shaking becomes a warning,
 It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion."
       - Anon.