----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Brockwell <rolothamasi@hotmail.com>
To: <ffml@fanfic.com>
Cc: <nerondvl@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wed Nov 17 1999 10:30
Subject: [FFML] [info][repost]public service announcement
Hello everyone. So that this post would not be a full blown spam,
I've
decided to include an old fic of mine that I intend to do a major
rewrite
on. Hopefully, I'll get some last minute C&C before I go through
with the
rewrite.
Now for the main reason in posting this. First, let me be honest,
until
recently, I've never actually even seen or read a single issue or
episode of
Ranma. But recently, I've been able to download the an English
subbed
version of episode one. That's when I noticed that many fanfic
authors have
made minor mistakes when retelling the beginning of Ranma. So, as
a public
service to help authors on the list in producing a more accurate
retelling
of, IMO the currently most widely writen series, Ranma. I have
decided to
clear up certain facts that many of us have been getting wrong.
In chronological order:
1- Genma hit Ranma-chan in the back of the head with a stop sign.
Not with
one of his signs that are used for communication. In fact, he
never actually
used those in the first episode.
2- Now for what is IMO the most widely made error in fanficdom(in
regards to
this series). The conversation between Akane and Nabiki in the
dojo.
Incorrect Version:
Akane jogs into the dojo. She breaks some bricks.
Nabiki: No wonder boys think you're weird.
Akane: Unlike you, I don't revolve my life around boys.
More accurate version:
The screen pans into Akane in the dojo. She breaks some bricks.
Nabiki: It's because you do stuff like this that boys are not
interested in
you in a normal way.
Akane: Mind you own business sis, unlike you, I HATE boys!
As you can see, the difference is a fairly major one in terms of
Akane's
attitude towards boys. P.S. I didn't quote the show word for word.
I just
pointed the differences out. Hence the 'more accurate version'
rather than
'the correct version.
My version in "Avalanche" was the manga, quoted word-for-word, as
per Viz translation. Including sound effects as akane pulls on a gi
and breaks some CONCRETE BLOCKS [they have square holes in them,
therefore are not bricks.]
# * Whoosh! * Sssnch! * Klonk! * "Hyaahh!" * KRAK! *
correct as-per Viz, down to the number of letters in "Hyaahh!"
# Akane: Ahhh! That was nice.
#
#Nabiki: There you go again, Akane. No wonder all the boys think
#you're so wierd
#
#Akane: So why should I care? Not *everybody* thinks the world
#revolves around *boys*, Nabiki.
[asterisks were boldfaced italicized words in the viz translation]
#Nabiki: No? Then I guess this wouldnt interest you.
Read it and weep.
3- The members of the Tendo family who went to greet the Saotomes
were not
Kasumi and Soun. It was Soun followed behind by Nabiki.
Nabiki followed by Soun. I have a picture from the manga.
4- There was no shot of them opening a door to a panda. In fact,
they simply
ran back in the house with a panda following close behind.
Correct
5- Meaning that contrary to popular fanfic belief, Soun did not
hug a
redhead when he opened the door. And Genma did not wander off to
find hot
water while Soun was with Ranma-chan.
The panda dissappeared on Akane's line "He... She is our guest!" and
didn't appear again until the same page as the end of Ranma/Akane's
sparring match, when he was just getting into the furo to change
back to human.
6- What happened was that when Genma was in the hallway leading to
the main
interior of the house, he set Ranma-chan down. Who said "I am
Saotome Ranma,
sorry about this." THEN Soun hug her.
Correct
7- Soun fainted when it was confirmed that she was a girl.
Correct
8- Akane did not run screaming when she saw Ranma naked. She
stared for few
seconds, carefully backed out, took a deep breath, THEN she
started
screaming.
Correct
9- Ranma-kun came out as Akane was holding the STONE/stone colored
(basically not wooden) table. He repeated the 'I'm Saotome Ranma,
sorry bout
this'.
It was a boulder from a lawn ornament that was kinda like a
bowling-ball ornament
10- Please note he was not standing on the stairs when he said it.
He was
standing by the interior door leading to the yard. In fact, from
what I see,
Japanese architecture does not allow you to stand on the upper
level of a
flight of stairs without obscuring your upper body.
Correct though not sure on the architecture part
11- The Jusenkyo trip, when Ranma knocked Genma into the water and
a panda
emerged, he did not lose balance and fall into the water.
Correct, AFAIK
12- Actually, Genma came out and balanced on a pole. The guide
then explains
about the curse and Ranma get knocked down into nannichuan by a
swipe from
his father.
Correct AFAIK. though i thought it was a punch, not a swipe
13- Finally, when Akane slammed the table down on Ranma, he was
squished
under it. His head did not go through the table.
Correct, I think.
OK. That's it. As far as I can tell, these are the inaccuracies
that usually
occur when writers retell the first part of Ranma. Please remember
that
these are based on the version I have seen. It may be different
from country
to country. Now on with the fic that may never be seen in its
current form
again!