General Questions mk 2

[SpaceKnight of Chaos]

Two questions to bring this topic back from the dead.

First of all, is there a specific character who can usually (or at least several times) be blamed for either directly or indirectly causing Ranma's attempts to pursue a Jusenkyo cure to fail? Or can it all be laid up to chance screwing him over? I'm curious because I read (and may well have misread, I admit) someone mentioning that Akane has actually caused Ranma's attempts to cure himself to fail.

Secondly, while I admit I don't think much of the marriage itself, I do believe that Genma's devotion to the Tendo/Saotome arrangement is the best of his good characteristics... even if some of the ways he proves that his devotion (like the whole Ukyo's engagement mess) highlight just what an asshole he can be. However, every man has his price, and Genma... isn't the best at resisting temptation, shall we say? What do you think might persuade him to abandon the Tendo arrangement, if only temporarily?

And are there any ways that a smart Ranma 1/2 character (yes, I know that's something of a contradiction) could use Genma's greed to trick him into permanently ruining the Tendo/Saotome arrangement?

[SpaceKnight of Chaos]

Two questions to bring this topic back from the dead.

First of all, is there a specific character who can usually (or at least several times) be blamed for either directly or indirectly causing Ranma's attempts to pursue a Jusenkyo cure to fail? Or can it all be laid up to chance screwing him over? I'm curious because I read (and may well have misread, I admit) someone mentioning that Akane has actually caused Ranma's attempts to cure himself to fail.

Secondly, while I admit I don't think much of the marriage itself, I do believe that Genma's devotion to the Tendo/Saotome arrangement is the best of his good characteristics... even if some of the ways he proves that his devotion (like the whole Ukyo's engagement mess) highlight just what an asshole he can be. However, every man has his price, and Genma... isn't the best at resisting temptation, shall we say? What do you think might persuade him to abandon the Tendo arrangement, if only temporarily?

And are there any ways that a smart Ranma 1/2 character (yes, I know that's something of a contradiction) could use Genma's greed to trick him into permanently ruining the Tendo/Saotome arrangement?

[Crescent Pulsar]

1: Genma, without question. First for leaving China, and thus Jusenkyo. Second, if Genma's aware of a possible cure, and his son's pursuing it, he'll selfishly try to get it (especially if it comes down to only one person who can be cured).

Otherwise I think he's just unfortunate, such as the time with the instant nannichuan, the Japanese Nannichuan that was out of order/went out of business, and "going to see China" for winning that play.

2 & 2 1/2?: I don't know if that can be answered since additional arrangements (like Ukyo's) didn't faze it. Also, it'd depend on whether it takes place while Nodoka is once again together with her husband, since she'd expect him to honor it. Especially since it was the reason for the training trip and being separated from her son for over a decade.

[three headed dog]

Especially since it was the reason for the training trip and being separated from her son for over a decade.

The training trip and the engagement are entirely different things not related. That he was taken away for years for training does not have anything to do with the engagement, were he to have stayed home the engagement would still have happened. Were there no engagement, Genma still would have taken Ranma on the trip.

[SpaceKnight of Chaos]

Actually, I think it's pretty much accepted that Genma's main motivation to go to the extent he did on the training trip, to go so long without any breaks and to put such hardships on Ranma as part of his 'training', is because he want to make Ranma as strong of a martial artist as possible, so that he can live up to his side of the arrangement with Soun. Without such a goal hanging over his head, it seems likely that Genma's training trips would have been more normal- i.e. he would have merely gone out for months at a time at most, instead of a decade without ever returning home.

[three headed dog]

Actually, I think it's pretty much accepted that Genma's main motivation to go to the extent he did on the training trip, to go so long without any breaks and to put such hardships on Ranma as part of his 'training', is because he want to make Ranma as strong of a martial artist as possible, so that he can live up to his side of the arrangement with Soun. Without such a goal hanging over his head, it seems likely that Genma's training trips would have been more normal- i.e. he would have merely gone out for months at a time at most, instead of a decade without ever returning home.

The goal of the training trip was to make Ranma the best martial artist. I do not know where you get the idea of the training trip's purpose being to live up to his side of the agreement. The agreement was only so that the two families would unite (not even schools - just families). Had Ranma not even been a martial artist, the agreement could still be honored.

[Crescent Pulsar]

If I remember correctly, the Saotome and Tendo schools are two sides of the same coin. It would make more sense to train him so thoroughly to ensure that he can carry on their school along with the Tendo's with the Tendo dojo. Marrying their offspring might have seemed like an appropriate way to complement their "investment", so both families benefit from the arrangement.

It's just speculation, but the basis of my suggestion remains: if Nodoka were around, she'd likely influence (or force/threaten, depending on the situation) Genma into not dishonoring the arrangement, by abandoning it entirely.

[three headed dog]

If I remember correctly, the Saotome and Tendo schools are two sides of the same coin. It would make more sense to train him so thoroughly to ensure that he can carry on their school along with the Tendo's with the Tendo dojo. Marrying their offspring might have seemed like an appropriate way to complement their "investment", so both families benefit from the arrangement.

It's just speculation, but the basis of my suggestion remains: if Nodoka were around, she'd likely influence (or force/threaten, depending on the situation) Genma into not dishonoring the arrangement, by abandoning it entirely.

I do not agree. The engagement and the training are entirely separate. If the joining of the schools mattered at all then Akane A. should have been trained as extensively and B. would be the only viable choice (she wasn't, any Tendo was the deal and they were okay with the engagement being switched to Nabiki). Also Genma, as clan head, has the right to break off the engagement.

Nodoka would likely influence the engagement somewhat but unless she declares Ranma as being unmanly what she has to say really doesn't matter very much. She could threaten to or divorce him but that is considered dishonorable as well. (Japan while becoming less sexist is still a very sexist country and divorce is considered dishonorable.)

[Crescent Pulsar]

Hmmmm. I suppose you're right. You brought up some good points.

[Dumbledork]

If Ranma had sex with someone other than his fiancées, would that dishonor them? Since they haven't exchanged marriage vows could it be considered as cheating?

[Spokavriel]

While being dishonored in that way more applies to girls than guys I personally think every one of his Fianceés would see it as an attack on their honor. Even if it isn't technically cheating.

[lwf58]

Hmm. I wouldn't say they'd view it as an affront to their honor. Each would just be mad as all get-out that he'd do such a thing with any girl other than herself.

Contrary to fanon, the characters of Ranma 1/2 don't spend all their time worrying about honor. It usually just pops up as a concern in a few story arcs.

[Crescent Pulsar]

And now the question is... Depending on which one that Ranma had sex with, would the others still be interested in him after that?

[mondu_the_fat]

If Ranma had sex with someone other than his fiancées, would that dishonor them?

Eh, no. At least, no more than having sex with someone who isn't your girlfriend should. It is far more an issue of broken trust than one of honor.

And now the question is... Depending on which one that Ranma had sex with, would the others still be interested in him after that?

Ranma having some willing yaoi action with Tatewaki Kuno or Happosai will likely turn off some of them.

[Southern Cross]

Actually,they're more likely to believe that Happosai or Tatekawai used some sort of magical mind control on Ranma.And considering the fact that Ranma has good reason to hate those two perverts,I personally would agree with them.