On 5/1/97 8:20 PM, Henry J. Cobb at hcobb@slip.net wrote:

So, why is it the consensus opinion of this list that the Ataru & Lum
match is inevitable but the Ranma & Shampoo match is highly unlikely?

Perhaps because the *differences* betwen Ataru/Lum and Ranma/Shampoo are 
much stronger than the similarities, IMHO?

For one thing, Ataru only has one other character really interested in 
him -- and Shinobu pretty much gives up on him when Mendo arrives. There 
are a few other minor characters who pop up and chase him for a few eps, 
Kurama the example that first comes to mind, but none of them stick 
around for the duration -- even Kurama gives up and goes after 
Ryuunosuke. :) Most of the romantic tension comes from Ataru chasing 
after other women, not other women chasing after him... ;> 

For another, Takahashi shows real affection between Ataru/Lum several 
times, unlike the essentially one-sided Ranma/Shampoo relationship; even 
the Contrary Jewel storyline looks more like cheap ego on Ranma's part, 
not true longing for Shampoo. For example, the "Since You Went Away," 
story, where Ataru's actually heartbroken in tears when he thinks Lum's 
gone. Or both versions of the "Shinobi Nobade" story, where he walks home 
with her, holding hands... Or the Inaba OAV, where he smashes his 'harem' 
dream world when Lum isn't in it...



Travis Butler
(The Professor, formerly of Myth and Magick!, Lawrence, KS;
 tbutler@tfs.net, now from the Wandering Powerbook;
 <http://www.tfs.net/personal/tbutler/>;
 Mac page <http://www.tfs.net/business/tbutler/>)

...Like Alice, I try to believe three impossible things before breakfast.