We 
also know that she's practically the only one of the fighting 
characters who has a life aside from martial arts - Shampoo 
was trained from birth exclusively as a warrior, Ranma and 
Genma did nothing but train for 12 years, Ukyou's life revolves 
around okonomiyaki and the accompanying style,

  Here's where we need to draw a distinction; Ukyo obviously isn't as 
well-off as Akane is (at least financially), since Akane doesn't have to 
spend her youth working just to live. In the to-be-released 'Spirit of 
Furinkan' Viz tape, the new teacher tried in vain to get Ukyo to go out 
and have fun instead of work all the time (but we know she can't because 
she's the only one who can take care of herself, yadda yadda yadda). 
It's not that she doesn't have a life (outside martial arts), but her 
life is her business. 

"That's my story and I'm sticking to it."--JMS, creator of Babylon 5. 
"If you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die."--Kosh, Babylon 5.
"Understanding is a three-edged sword."--Kosh, Babylon 5. 
"Never show your hand until the end."--me, being profound. 

--Razorclaw X

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