*Spoiler*

I had a chance to go over the last four volumes of translated Ranma 1/2

manga trade paperbacks over the Christmas break, and to me it's fascinating
to compare much of the "classic" fanfiction that was written in the last few
years, before the English translations were available, with the reality of
what Rumiko Takahashi wrote.

**Considering that any variences can easily be considered to be
merely other possibilities that could easily have happened, I have no
problem with this.

Most of the Ranma fanfiction written since the genre took-off in 1997 was

largely based around either the anime or the crude manga translations that
were available from the Ranma FAQ (which will be part of another rant on the
subject of abandoned FAQS).  Most of these fics assumed two things about the
manga version of the Ranma-verse:

1.  Ranma and Akane NEVER were able to admit to themselves that they liked

each other.  Many of the post-38 fics I've read have Ranma and Akane
stubbornly refusing to admit they like each other.  While this may have been
true of the anime, in the manga by volume 10 at the earliest, Akane is shown
to admit to herself (if no one else) that she likes Ranma and is determined
to win him away from the other fiancees.  This is particulary evident when
Ukyo moves in with Ranma and Akane makes the comment that "I'll never be
able to compete with her."  Perhaps most telling is the mochi ball story,
where Akane uses the legend of mochi balls to find out if Ranma is her "one
true love" and then mistakenly believes that the marks have appeared on
Ranma's face, skips away happily while Ranma shows his own inner-feelings
for Akane by commenting that he "doesen't wanna ruin her mood if it makes
her happy."  This also shows that Akane has accepted the engagement MUCH
EARLIER than most fanfictions written prior to this story's American
publication portray.

**Actually, if three things hadn't happened, there were signs
that Ranma and Akane would have mutually accepted and admitted
their affection for eachother very early in the Manga. These three
things are:

1): Kodachi's fixation on Ranma

2): Shampoo's arival, and the misunderstandings that stemmed
from that point on.

3): Ukyo's declaration of being a fiancee whose dowry Ranma's
father had stolen (and Ranma's stupid remarks about introducing
his cute and uncute fiancees to eachother)

All three of these events had occured at times when the
relationship between Ranma and Akane might have stabilized
enough for them to actually begin getting along more often than
not.

Later on in the series, with the rivalries and bigger events
happening in the background, it became less important for
the two to keep eachother apart from themselves, as many
factors were in place by then to do it for them (story-wise).

2.  Akane is completely oblivous to Ryoga's feelings towards her.  Again,

back to the mochi ball story.  After Akane breaks up with Ranma again, Ryoga
instantly presents her with flowers, causing Akane to get annoyed with
Ryoga.  Many (not all) post-38 fics portray Akane as being totally shocked
when she discovers that Ryoga loves her.  In reality, she is aware of it and
is highly annoyed whenever Ryoga tries to push for "more than friends."

One might simply take the view that she forgot about that
particular incident with Ryoga. Besides... SO MANY
'cherry blossom' marks had appeared on Ranma's face
that the few that Ryoga exhibited had to be from the fact
that he considered her to be a 'good friend'!

^_^

It will be fascinating to read future Ranma fancics that take these new

realities into account.

**to this, I will add that Happosai has indeed attempted
to put Ranma in situations where the young martial artist
would either have to dishonor himself or die. I lost all
sympathy for Happosai and Principle Kuno once I read
some examples of their 'harmless' behavior.

-  W*ING Higley is the author of several fan fictions, including "U-Jin's

Ranma Diaries" and "Tenchi Muyo:  The Apprentice."

** Hmmm... fics I havent found yet... must read...

^_^

Tangent

	     .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'