a pretty decent papaya @blessed-papaya - Tumblr Blog

There's a trope in trashy gender bender stories like this that I find fascinating. Womanhood is treated as this naturalizing force... The longer you live as a woman, the more you are a woman at heart, something like that. Someone who's forced to live as a woman actively has to resist getting used to it, or they'll become a woman at heart... We know it doesn't really work like that, because cis people are who they are, and trans men exist. But there is one group that feels more and more comfortable the longer they stay a woman, of course... Trans women. So any time a story pulls this trope out, and a character has to "resist" becoming a woman.... You're already a woman to me, buddy. And if the writer thinks this is how it works, they're probably a woman too.

sailorblossoms-rankane

(I have a lot of twitter threads I never posted here. Might start doing that without proofreading or else I might be tempted to re-write the whole thing)

On Akane's insecurities

I have talked about Akane's insecurities with femininity before, but I want to add another element now: maturity. Her crush on the doc informs a lot (we all know about the hair = expectations of femininity so I'll skip that)

part of what embarrasses Akane here (and part of why Ranma is good for her) isn't just that she's acting in a way that's not considered "feminine" in front of the doc… but that she's acting like a kid. She's responding to Ranma's energy (who begs for her attention like a kid)

That's part of why the suitors are never real threats to Akane, not even in terms of "self-worth." Stuff like bust size comparisons and "cooking contests" are kept between her and Ranma (childishly!) the other girls are not ever meant to be used for beauty contests or related (there's another thread that goes more into this I gotta post here)

The girls bother Akane by being homewreckers and invaders (seen in Ukyo trying to run the show or briefly moving into Ranma's room, and Shampoo literally wrecking the house or jumping Ranma while he's washing his ass). Outside of Kasumi, Akane has no model of ideal femininity. Shampoo and Ukyo don’t have those roles for her. Struggles against them are about behavior, control, power...

She gets jealous, but what really gets to Akane with the other girls is that they might exert control over her relationship with Ranma, or Ranma himself (is he on board with Shampoo's antics? is Ukyo a closer friend? can she have a say in our engagement?)

These girls get to Akane’s pride and competitive side, but serious shit about image and fears of losing love is kept between Akane and her sisters, or Akane and Ranma… it’s kept within her home.

"Lucky you, she's a cute girl!" is Akane being a clown about her jealousy, comparable to Ranma's "you must be having fun on your little date" even though they both know the other people are nothing but trouble. They're being childish, it turns off their brains

when she gets competitive with the other girls is always very childish (which, again, is part of making it unserious) "he's mine, let go of him" type of shit

(this is part of framing Ranma's "popularity" in the manga as undesirable, that it doesn't use them to truly unsettle Akane ... not in terms of self-image) (the old anime did whatever the fuck it wanted here, it was allergic to good writing, what do you want me to say)

Going back to "real fears about losing love are kept between her and her sisters" (who are often the ones putting fears into Akane's head...) and I think part of it is that they're older than her. Akane is seriously (and not "childishly") affected only when Nabiki "confesses"

A little something about growing out a pixie cut: it takes a long time (even though the manga is pretty... flexible about the passage of time lol) Kasumi is Akane's model of femininity not just in the present, but in terms of who she is supposed to become as she grows up. Even love implies a future (becoming a wife)

Something that unsettles Akane with Hinako (besides the whole "it sure looks like Ranma is committing acts of harrassment of it all) is that perhaps Hinako is more "mature" (you see a moment where Akane is getting irked... though this is also downplayed in the moment and made unserious) Akane doesn't see Hinako as "a real threat" like the other girls do, but see what she focuses on.

We see Akane "reacting childishly" but hurt in a very serious way whenever she feels like she's being compared to "an older woman" and "is coming up short" (it's not spelled out like that with Nabiki, there are more things going on there, such as Akane not being "a normal girl," which is similar to what we see in the flashback with Kasumi and Akane deciding to grow out her hair... but I'd say being the baby sister is part of why Nabiki is messing with her in that arc)

This is part of why Akane is so sensitive in the bust arc (where Ranma unknowingly picks on her insecurities when he teases her, as he doesn't get why she's lashing out, while also trying to downplay his feelings for her) Her body is developing... so she's feeling more mature. She's growing up!

"Growing up" is a big theme here: childish behavior (familiar ground) against grown-up attraction (something Ranma has no idea how to deal with, bro moves like he's still in 3rd grade) and a wish to feel more mature... and desirable, but specifically for the person she's in love with (Akane)

Notice how, the Ranma who is saying "I don't want to see" looks and feels different in Akane's head (also notice how, this arc does not use Ranma's usual repertoire of insults against Akane, that ain't what's getting her. She starts feeling harassed and humiliated on a sensitive topic thanks to Happosai, then it takes several moments of escalation of the petty childish fight with Ranma before she starts thinking damn... maybe he means it and actually has issues with my boobs, maybe this time he isn't just being a clown)

(but also notice how Akane is taking weight off of it immediately, when her biggest fear isn't that she would tell Ranma what bothered her, and then Ranma would confirm it like "that's true, I think your boobs are ugly" ... nah her biggest fear is "that CLOWN will continue to clown me omg his fuckass ego will strike once more")

Nodoka is a big source of stress for Ranma, but she provides the validation Akane doesn't get from the older women in her family (who mean well and will be on her side always, but they can also just be... clueless jerks lol you could say not having her mom affects her…) (also... even though Akane's sisters are older than her, they are not exactly mature women, Kasumi is just 19)

(Again, compare how the Ranma in the replay looks different from the Ranma in Akane's memory. It's not exactly how the actual scene looked like, the replay shows Ranma as less nervous, not playing with his fingers, less of the shy maiden that bro is... look at his little manly fists... but the vibes here are still childish, which the Ranma in Akane's head is not, that Ranma seems like he's rejecting her more seriously) (but do not run to the martyrkane mines just yet remember... Akane recovers quickly and by herself... big fear is "he'll be a clown" etc)

You leave Akane alone and she can be pretty sensible and reach the "right" conclusions, whereas Ranma lacks emotional intelligence and needs to be pushed. She's good for him because she makes him grow…

At the same time, Ranma is good for Akane because she shouldn't grow up too fast. She should be able to relax and be a little clown too, in ways she's not free to be with everyone. Ranma provides safety in multiple ways

You could also say there is a struggle in where to be childish and where to be mature in some of their conflicts… Ranma is not good with words, so conflicts are often resolved with him showing his feelings after a childish fight. Sometimes, resolutions depend on Akane needing to read Ranma. Compare the resolution of the bust battle, where Akane is doing most of the heavy lifting (again, she's already taking weight off "am I not attractive" by herself when she imagines Ranma would clown her and feel superior if she tells him she wants him to want to see her boobs) and she ends up clowning Ranma in the end. She emerges victorious, striking a clown pose (she begins the arc wanting to feel mature, ends up embracing the inner clown etc at the end of the day they're still kids etc etc)

(Also, compare how similar this is to the Valentine's day chapter, where Akane had to read Ranma's disappointment and figure out what it means by herself, not a single word out of bro's mouth, his face getting heavily acquainted with the floor is the talking)

sailorblossoms-rankane

I actually deleted a mention of a big, recurring fear within Akane: she likes that Ranma is a safety net for her, that he protects her and can be relied on in certain areas.... but she never wants to be a burden. She doesn't want this to be one-sided, she wants to be able to do something for the one she loves too, cuz I think that should be its own discussion (also I don't think it's terribly compelling when ppl wanna solve this through powering her up and calling it a day, I think some can get too caught up on the exterior when her interior strenght is something that sets her appart, there's a point in Akane helping Ranma even when she's a small helpless doll, twice even, but anyway) let's talk about this here for a bit. I don't think we're disagreeing exactly I just think there are interesting details to discuss (and even then I never touch on everything I want to cuz... have y'all seen the lenghts of these posts...) this is a manga that thrives on details and layers upon layers

Yeah it's not really about the cooking... And indeed, what the narrative is doing and the characters' emotions often aren't aligned in terms of seriousness. There are levels to these things... which is partly why it's so interesting to see how the information is presented. Part of the point of the comedy is that characters have to lose their shit. They will take deeply unserious things seriously: we do see Ranma and Akane taking things (and clowns) seriously while the narrative lets the reader know it's complete clownery.

Ukyo's whole business is being a chef (literally) but more importantly, she's also "the childhood friend." So it's notable, what it's chosen to keep Akane up at night. Before Ukyo is introduced, we have this, notably with the one person whose entire brand is to cook drugs

Akane doesn't know Ranma was only eating Kodachi's food to save her, and despite the unserious nature of it all, she is genuinely affected and sad Ranma won't even try her cookies... but Rumiko doesn't let her go to bed and wake up again the next day, still crushed (as it happens in the fiancee Nabiki arc etc). She switches her focus almost immediately, even before Ranma reassures her by showing her he will eat her food is it's really important for her... and then Akane isn't even crushed when she fails (unlike the arc where she's competing with Ranma and Nodoka is the judge, and accidentally ruins all the food already prepared by making the microwave explode lol notably, she's not made to compete with the other girls like this, not even when she's shoving food in Ranma's mouth at the same time as Ukyo)

[casually] "damn I gave bro diarrhea"

Importantly, when Ranma is weakened, the manga spends a lot of energy telling you that what unsettles Akane the most is Ranma going somewhere she can't follow (she doesn't even know where he went). That Ranma, in his moment of need, might run away, instead of leaning on her. Does he not see her as someone worth counting on? Is she not reliable? Isn't there anything she can do for him?

Even worse: what if Ranma goes away without telling her anything, refusing to rely on her... but instead, relies on other people?

Akane's desire to support Ranma and being relied on is being established before she gets there and comes up with "I'm gonna cook something to help" and notably, upon seeing Ukyo there, she's not thinking "oh nooo they brought her cuz she can cook and I can't :( I have to prove I can do better"

Part of her ressilience is that others might think that, but Akane, bless her soul, doesn't even make that connection, she jumps into a cooking attempt with simple, carefree attitude, free of any sort of negative thought, cuz she wants to help. This might seem like I'm focusing on pointless details but I have seen the fanon vibe with her being "the others girls can cook and I can't, I should kill myself" way too many times, so the distinction kinda matters a little bit. It's not until Genma and Ranma are making fun of her that the obviousness of "we brought a chef" is pointed out.

It's important that it's Genma who invited Ukyo, not Ranma, and that Ranma doesn't really care, cuz the thing that would be crushing for Akane is not that another girl who cooks is around.

You can say she's affected in a way that she considers serious, even though the narrative is unserious: there are tears in her eyes etc, she's trying her best and she's made fun of etc etc. This affects her but again, there are levels to these things. This is the type of situation she bounces back from pretty quickly. If she had gotten confirmation that Ukyo is there cuz Ranma wants her around and can rely on her, and doesn't want Akane around and can't rely on her, that would be crushing in ways that would have shaken her to her very core. In fact, that is what happens later, but not before this: when Ryoga won't help, Akane tries to take his place.

So when we arrive at the big serious moment, we can't truly make it about cooking: Akane's desire to help doesn't come just in the form of cooking, if cooking was all she tried to do, it would be different... she also sets herself on fire (which is a funny little scene but it's also a recurring thing with her: jeopardizing her safety without a second thought cuz she's prioritizing Ranma's well-being)

Ukyo and Ryoga come in a package, they are there, and Ranma is only saying he doesn't want Akane around. If one wanted to make this about only putting weight on the cooking, then another could make this merely about "Akane feels inferior cuz she isn't as strong as the other clowns" (a thing I have seen way too frequently... it's like reading the armor arc and paying attention to her happily playing around with the armor, but ignoring how easily she gives up that power, and that she even considers it silly to fight over it with Ranma... being strong isn't as important for her as it is for Ranma, she likes that Ranma protects her etc etc) but I think it's about neither of those things. Of course, she brings up Ryoga's strenght and Ukyo's cooking as those are the things they're supposed to be doing here, she's probably still digesting an okonomiyaki, but the thing that truly makes her eyes go blank and squeeze Ranma's shirt is that she believes Ranma is saying "I don't want you around, you're a burden"

One can say bringing up the cooking and the strenght isn't random anyway, surely it's gotta be tied to the point. I would argue the point is that it's not the point. She's bringing up those things cuz Ranma just broke her heart and these are superficial things to be focusing on, which in a way, is a form of protection (perhaps even strenght). She thinks the person she wants to support above all else just told her she's a burden, and her first instinct is to wonder why... and she doesn't go "is it because I'm clumsy and dumb and can't do anything well? Is it because I can't cook no matter how much I try, which means I'm a failure? Is it because I'm not cute? Is it because I have no talent? Is it because I'm unlovable?" (if you think I'm exaggerating you haven't spent time in the fanon martyrkane mines or watching the deen filler I unfortunately remember, which you should treassure) Instead, she's like "oh is it because she cooks, she was doing that recently I have yet to poop it out of my system, that's why you aren't kicking her out like you won't kick Ryoga out cuz he's strong? I just saw him destroy some rocks, can't forget bro's strenght" While feeling rejected, Akane is bringing up "obvious" but also "superficial" things others have that "she doesn't'" without really tearing herself apart.

Manga uses layers upon layers to convey Ranma doesn't care if Akane isn't stronger or can't cook, without even making that the actual thing that was breaking Akane in the first place. Akane wasn't even gonna stay there to let Ranma explain why he didn't want her around (cuz if Ranma doesn't want her it won't really matter why, the simple fact that he doesn't want her will break her heart) bro had to run after her and scream (and then... Akane bounces back lol I think Akane's ability to bounce back in general is underrated in favor of the siren call of martyrkane...)

my god I thought this was gonna be short... I could stop here but fuck it I already took the screenshots so let me bring this up just for shit and giggles. Iirc (cuz I ain't re-reading my own post... who's even reading all this) I think I mentioned in the previous post that others, such as her older sisters, put fears into Akane's head. We have this

Ranma is there happily eating Ukyo's cooking, but that ain't the thing fucking up Akane. Similarly to how "does Ukyo have a stronger bond with Ranma than me?" kept her up at night in the sauce arc, what she can't stop thinking about here is essentially "how close are they?" (and how close do they wanna be) this is serious business for Akane, but again.. levels. The insecurity that pops up for Akane, when she's alone, is about their bond. Nabiki and Kasumi are the ones saying "maybe he will switch fiancees" (while Akane reacts like it's a stupid thought) and Kasumi is the one bringing up the cooking.

While Akane goes to Ukyo's house, the thing that fucks her up is still bond related, she doesn't arrive to interrupt Ranma saying how much he enjoys Ukyo's cooking... The misunderstanding made specifically to fuck her up is man and woman, alone in her bedroom. This is also the type of unserious scenario designed to say the idea of Ranma choosing is silly, it makes fun of that idea even, there is nothing to choose as far as Ranma's concerned, Akane is immediately clowned on for taking it seriously.

There is a similar scenario with Nabiki, where Akane is also immediately clowned on for taking it seriously. To be specific: Akane is clowned in a way where she's embarrassed for even taking it seriously in the first place. When I say these girls are denied True Power over Akane, part of what I mean is that Akane's fighting spirit doesn't leave her when they're involved, fucking with her emotions. She thinks Ranma chose Ukyo? No he didn't, the motherfucker! She will meet him outside!!!

But when she thinks Ranma might have feelings for her older sister, you have a scene like this, where her fighting spirit leaves her, and she genuinely doesn't even wanna go to her own house anymore (meawhile she would fucking teleport to Ukyo or Shampoo's locations with the fire of her fighting spirit coming out of her nose her ears her ass... believe it)

There are "deeper" sadder insecurities being explored here, with a tone that's not quite the same as what's used with others (I will restrain myself and talk about the examples I have in mind, such as her fever dreams, in some other posts)

and this even lasts more than 2 pages, a whole record

"I never doubted it for a moment"

(i've seen some said this is Akane's equivalent to what Ranma goes through in the Shinnosuke's arc... might be the closest, nothing compares to your drama Shinno boy) It's notable that this is done with an older sister (and with a girl who has no feelings for Ranma and only wants to make money off his ass lol) (I think it's important to point thesethings out cuz the old show loved melodrama to the point it does actually give the other girls more power over sadkane, she does actually say things such as "Ranma is it true you don't want me cuz I'm clumsy and uncute :(" while on her knees while thinking he genuinely prefers other women, [a motherfucker pays Akane a compliment] "oh but there are many other girls better than me...." etc and many mix up the old show with the manga, despite both being pretty different)

"Well what is the point here, in short" Idk sometimes you tell me something and I see the opportunity to let loose a thought or two

redstonedust

if i can give our local far right losers anything its that jesus christ they know how to find stickers that are fucking impossible to peel off lamp posts. i have been standing here for 5 minutes trying to remove this stupid 'make britain great again' sticker and all ive maanged to do is slightly damage the corners. i have been bested by a sticker. im losing this fight. the queen of antifa is going to eject me from the polycule.

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a pretty decent papaya