AxelTheBunny wrote:Well I've always had an issue with the "give Ranma all the things" mentality in terms of techniques of Nerima....his ability to learn techniques is often exaggerated in fandom, and he only really seems to adopt techniques and trainings that mesh with his own style. Hell he's only ever really trained in new techniques when they were needed. Even the Hiryu Shoten Ha required instruction from Cologne, and it took him time and alot of practice to actually get the Umisenken perfected if I recall. Yes he is extraordinary when it comes to learning new techniques but it's kinda boring to give him every other Ranma character's shtick either way.
I both agree and disagree
Ranma has a very high learning curve, if he sees the technique, particularly if he has seen it repeatedly; he probably knows how to duplicate it. However he did learn the mechanics Umisenken after one attack from Genma the time he took was to perfect it. there are also mechanics to techniques that he doesn’t have the experience or the knowledge to duplicate. Take the Hiryu Shoten Ha he was able to see the form of the technique but he still needed to train in the proper way to manipulate his ki and since it was the complete anthesisis of how he trained up till then it took quit some time. Yet once he mastered that he was able to activate the technique all on his own eventhough Cologne forgot to show him how.
AxelTheBunny wrote:It's why I've never been able to actually believe he'd use the yamasenken. As well as the likely reason for him not ever learning the bakusei tenketsu as well. Those are both just more Ryoga's style, more power based perhaps he'd mesh some techniques or try to use a hybridized version of the Yamasenken. But it just doesnt seem Ranma's style and it is something he'd need an actual reason to train in it. Iron cloth is one i can see Ranma learning, as well as hidden weapons style. But like I said, Ranma's best techniques all were developed for different purposes, with the exception of those developed on the fly.
The same both agree and disagree
Lets put it this way Ranma isn’t a Uchiha able to copy any technique with near-perfect accuracy. Its more like he has the Cognitive Empathy of Ikki from Chivalry of the Failed Knight and Garou from One Punch Man. Ikki observed a character using her fathers techniques as he was training to better utilize her female body and by observation was able to deduce, and understand all her fathers techniques intimately. It also shows that while he can learn a technique if he doesn’t fully realize the mechanics behind it it could backfire on him significantly.
Ranma can reasonably be expected to know many techniques mastering them are a totally different story. I think Mousse's hidden weapons is best used as a plot device Ranma’s sent to a knew world that technique makes sure he has has his pack but he’s not going to be bringing out weapon after weapon. He’s knows how the breaking point works and has seen it too many times to not know it but since he didn’t go through the actual training he doesn’t have the body hardening and I agree its not really his style to use while in combat. The yamasenken is the same way Ranma definitely knows it and since this is post manga by this point he should be fast and strong enough to properly utilize it. however while I can see him utilizing the umisenken the yama seems more like a backed into a corner technique. There’s also Happosai’s fireworks depending on if you want them just to be fireworks or is Happosai creating things with his ki that could lead to some interesting techniques. Does Ranma have the ki reserves yet to pull off a human battle aura.
Ranma has never shown much knowledge other then pressure point other than what was needed so things like Shampoo's remote control acupuncture are out. As well as Hinako's ki draining techniques since they required her to be physically altered. Though he could probably develop his own version given time as Happosai can drain ki without it.
AxelTheBunny wrote:As for magic/ki Im wondering if it could be simply different methods of utilizing the same basic energy. Then ki can have similarity to magic. Hell I'd recommend going with Ki utilization as a less potent, but more hyperefficient way of utilizing Od and then working from there, Ki might also be more adaptable, Then maybe have Ranma slowly pickup on magic, possibly along with some of the other Nerimans as a way to close the gap.
This I completely agree on. The difference between a Mage and a martial artist is how they manipulate their ki. Mages learn to tap into external sources of energy; while martial artist train to tap into the energy already inside them which is nearly as infinite. However Mages can naturally output vast amounts of raw power that would take a martial artist years of training to built up the reserves to match. Ki can be put to many uses if you learn to tap it by making your will the source of all your power. It can speed up and strengthen your movements, cause your limbs to become nearly indestructible weapons that can shatter stone or defy the so-called laws of physics. ki is a powerful weapon in its own right, the ultimate energy to which there are no physical boundaries. It's shaped by the mind and emotions, it expresses the will. Martial artist learn to harness their Spirit Energy so that they can attack an enemy without leaving themselves exposed to counter-attack. In time they understand how to go beyond the supposed limits of time and space and do anything that their will can imagine.---Nabiki ½.
Magic is what you probably should be focusing on Ranma has used magic many times He came to Nerima carrying the girl repellent, he has borrowed magic items from the amazons, he bought magic items, etc. Even in the anime he uses magic, for example he bought magic that brought his shadow to life to practice with (then proceeded to train for three days straight wearing out the magic). It’s not that far fetched to say that he’s been learning magic in fact given his curse and how many other people use magic it be far fetched if he wasn’t.
I put Ranma’s standing the same as I did for the A certain Index universe he’s strong enough to stay alive but he would need time to any sort of real threat. He could probably hold his own against most of the human but the likes of Kirei Kotomine, Souichirou Kuzuki, Zouken Matou would destroy him. Assassin is the perfect example of Ranma’s standing he’s of the hitokiri level which Ranma is nowhere near yet and the other servents are of the same level or higher. Give him some time to get used to the place.