Chris McNeil wrote:
Two points: What, exactly, is out of character? The
thing about Ranma 1/2 is that there is *no* consistent
characterization. The primary thrust of Ranma 1/2 is
humor, not drama. Therefore, the characters will
behave in whatever manner gets the biggest laugh.
I disagree. There is very consistant characterization;
Um... "very" consistent? I didn't think even you could call the
characterization "very" consistent. ^_^
there are simply some grey area where more than one
interpretation can fit the character.
True. Although I would say "lots of" rather than "some".
For example, the two biggest Ukyophiles I know - Zen
and Blade - like to pretend that the last few volumes
of manga don't exist. Because, they say, Ukyo acts "out
of character" in those volumes. It just goes to show
that you can't pin down one set of characterizations for
*any* character.
<shake head vehemently> I've gotten over that, it's
wishful thinking.
Interesting. Our previous debate over whether or not Ukyo's
characterization in "Thy Inward Love" was consistent with the manga's
reached an impasse when we couldn't agree on whether or not she was
acting in character during the final volumes. Now that you've changed
your mind, does that mean we should revive the debate? Respond offline.
Instead of ignoring it, the thing to do is look at the
scene in question, examine the actions and personalities
involved, and come up with an explanation that suits the
facts and characters better than the (OOC) obvious one.
The problem with this is that such an explanation is entirely a matter
of opinion. In short, it's rationalizing. Mind you, I'm not saying
this is a bad thing. ^_^ All Star Trek fans must do a lot of
rationalizing. :)
But... well, you use a rationalization to explain Ukyo's later behavior
in the context of how you interpret her earlier behavior. Someone else
might try to rationalize her earlier behavior to try and make it
consistent with how they interpret her later behavior. You both have
valid, consistent characterizations. They just may be diametrically
opposed, that's all. :)
My view is that Ukyo has acted pretty much the same from beginning to
end. She is neither saint nor sinner, but somewhere inbetween. Which
is how I tried to portray her.
I must thank you for opening my ideas to that, BTW, since
it was your well-presented argument on why Ukyou wasn't
trying to kill Akane that convinced me to try this.
People have accused you of being many things, Blade. But I personally
have never considered you to be close-minded. Zealous, perhaps, but not
overzealous. :)
I could even argue Kasumi the biker babe - heck, just look
how much she enjoyed torturing Ranma when she discovered
his fear of cats. :)
I think that supports the 'oblivious' aspect. A single
scene/issue/story is not enough evidence to portray a
character accurately.
Well, my view is that if you wanted to take that scene and build "Kasumi
the Biker Babe" out of it, it's just as valid as "Heart-of-the-Home
Kasumi" or "Hold-On Kasumi". After all, there's precedence in the
source material.
Granted, some views have more supporting evidence than others.
I equate the Ranma 1/2 manga with the Bible: Whatever
view you'd like to hold, you'd find support for in the
source material.
Within reason. Very much within reason. There ARE
absolutes about the characters, and many of them.
Hmm. Maybe. Then again, maybe not. I mean, if we can't even agree if
female Ranma has red or black hair in the manga, how can we take
*anything* as absolute? (BTW, I think it's black).
Besides a lot of the valid differing views I've heard of the
characters (especially about Ryouga and Tarou) are due to value
judgements, NOT any inconsistancy in the manga.
It kinda comes down to the same thing. We each judge how consistent the
manga is. Such judgements may differ.
Me, I don't like fanfics that pair Ryoga and female Ranma. I simply
don't see them having that kind of relationship. But neither do I
discourage people from writing such fanfics; if they want to explore
that kind of relationship, let them. I won't call it OOC; I'll just
call it contrary to the way *I* like to view the characters.
It's ludicrous in respects to the story; but you could develop is
believably to do so, I guess.
Someone else said the same thing. I agree. I just haven't seen it done
yet. :)
I haven't read Robert's latest fic, however, so maybe he's going to do a
good job with it there. If I wasn't so opposed (read: "close-minded")
to the idea, I might be more willing to read it. :)
By putting these characters in extreme situations or
having them behave in extreme ways, we can get a
well-rounded view of that character which is more
satisfying than the contradictary and two-dimensional
portrayls found in the manga.
Only if it doesn't start off contradicting the manga. And
I still dispute that the manga is contradictory itself, and
I DEFINTELY dispute that it is two-dimensional (except in
the literal sense :).
Okay, you got me. Some of the characterizations are not 2-D; I recant
that statement. But a lot of the characters have a lot that isn't
fleshed out, leaving lots of room for interpretation.
But I don't back off the statement that the manga is self-contradicting.
Ranma is a bundle of contradictions, sometimes kind and honorable,
sometimes somewhat despicable.
my C&C generally does include advice (and, I point out,
I always make it clear that it is my ADVICE, and the
people I've preread for can back em up here) as to how
a certain scene could be changed to better fit a
character's personality.
I find such feedback valuable myself, no matter how it's phrased. But
you make an excellent point: it never hurts to be polite in offerning
negative C&C.
Blade
Founding member of the Viz-basher-bashing Club
Teeheehee... sign me up. :)
Author of unbelieveable talent
Um, speaking of interpretations... you know, there's more than one way
to interpret that. ^_^ (Just kidding)