From: Jonas Fang To: Kaoru L. Shimitsu Subject: Fragil Clay survey Date: Thursday, July 08, 1999 1:16 AM How many people have sent in surveys anyways? (I'd rather you didn't publish this, but if you really want to, please don't put my e-mail address with it.) Where is the series going: I see the series going this way. Ranma goes through some major soul searching about who and what he is. This is best portrayed by the decision between Akane and Hiroshi. Marrying Akane is the honorable thing to do, he would be male in doing so, he would furfill his parent's dreams in doing so, and in short would be exactly what he always wanted to be. Marrying Hiroshi would be following his heart (he does love Hiroshi more than Akane). He would be abandoning his manhood, his honor, his parents, and pretty much everything to embrace this new life style. I'm guessing that Ranma will ultimately chose Hiroshi (partly because I find it difficult to believe all this set-up with Hiroshi would be there just to have Ranma choose Akane). Genma will disapprove of this, but accept Ranma's decision, while Nodoka will react very negatively (there is going to have to be something to negate that seppuku pledge). Akane is going to be outraged and hurt by this decision. She will probably eventually make up with Ranma, but hate Hiroshi for the rest of her days. Pretty much everyone else will accept Ranma's decision as it stands. After the decision, there are two options. One, the one I would guess, is that the series would end. Maybe have an epilogue to show a five years later scene or something, to show how all the relations are going to be from there. However, based on what you have said to me, the fic will continue. So from there, I see Ranma having to come to terms to his decision. He will have to come to terms with being a she. School is definately going to talk, and Ranma will have to deal with that as well. Akane, so soon after the decision, is going to try to make Ranma's life unbearable as revenge. Hiroshi will also have to deal with the gossip, but I figure the fic will center on Ranma's soul searching. I figure the rest of the fic will be dedicated to similar things (unless you decide to throw another wrench into the system), although I can't think of very many other examples at this point. So how far off am I? What's so interesting: A always like a fic that has Ranma exploring his feminine side. This fic even goes so far as to have him fall in love with Hiroshi. However, it actually explains everything. Ranma doesn't suddenly decide one day, "hey, I love Hiroshi," it actually shows his journey. It is also focued on interpersonal relationships so far. I like seeing all these explored, and they are shown very well. It still manages to have a plot line, and things happening though. Not to mention, it is also a darn fine romance. Favorite scene: My favorite scene stands as the whole section after Ranma runs away from Hiroshi at the end of 2:3 (you might view that as two scenes though). The reason is that it is when Ranma finally realizes the truth behind what he is feeling, and starts to address it. It also seems to be the climax of the fic (as it stands right now). The scene prior to the dance, at the lake was cool also. Also for similar reasons (it shows Ranma comming to realize his other side). I also really like those scenes with Ranma playing with Kaehmi. It just seems so fun as to what they do, as well as shows Ranma's *other* personality. Quote: The one that sticks in my mind is "He had every right!" (or words to that effect). It isn't very good, it just sticks out to me though. Snapshot moment: Probably when Ranma is in the lake, looking at her reflection. Also for a similar reason of Ranma discovering who *she* is. Are the Daisuke scenes relevent: Do you really have to ask me? As things stand, no, although you seem to think Daisuke is going to become more important in the future, in which ase they will probably become important. Do they add to the story: No. If they did, they would be relevent. Is Nabiki in character: >From what I've seen of her, yes. From what I've heard of her, no (for example, I heard from second hand comments about some incident involving some tickets Ranma destroyed, but haven't seen it). Nabiki seems much more ruthless than what I've scene, from what people tell me. What's with Genma/Nodoka: Genma seems to me to be seeing what Nodoka put Ranma through, and figuring out that he hasn't been a good parent. He seems to me to be feeling guilty about what he has done to Ranma, and wanting to make it up, as can be scene with what he says to Nodoka at the end of 2:3. Nodoka seems to be very formal, and very strict. She wants what's best for Ranma, but views what's best from her own view. It never enters her mind that she might be wrong. It's her way or no way, and is very forceful in what she persues. (This can be seen with her almost killing Ranma outright, forcing Ranma into the girl training, and even at the end with forcing Ranma to go with Akane, despite the pain he is feeling.) Everland: Did I miss something? I don't remember any everland. Favorite character: Ranma. Besides the obvious choice though, I like the niece Kaehmi. She is only a minor character, but she seems fun enough. (However, if you can't make her a main character, because they she would just get annoying as being too perfect.) Enough comedy: Seeing how this isn't a comic series, yes. Too much explanation: I didn't see any explanation really. If you are talking about the descriptions of internal feelings, seeing how this fic is based on that, it is important to keep what you have. Besides that, since I didn't notice anything wrong, it is probably okay. Is Kaoru a self-insert: Kaoru is that wierd, insane dragon, isn't he? I don't have a clue what the deal with him is, so I can't say one way or another. He probably isn't a self-insert though. (Hiroshi seems like he should be a self-insert, but I'm not getting the major negative feelings against him I get from most self-inserts, so I guess if he is, it's okay.)